Pictures

Just wanted to let everyone know that we now have a new link to our pictures on the left side of our page. The link is titled 'Schumaker Photos'. This link will direct you to a flickr page at which point you will be able to view all of our posted pictures.

Secondly, our address has been moved to the right hand column.

We're back in good ol Santa Cruz- been here for a week now! Crazy how time flies! The last thing we had to do in Kingston before we left was unveil the compost pile we've been working on! I wish I could show you all a before picture! There was so much trash!!! However this is the after picture- our environmental group in front of the dandy looking functional compost pile!

There are a few things I would like to share that I'm learning about the Jamaican culture.

1. Speaking patois is a joke! I sound like the biggest moron going around saying "ya mon," "mi jus takkin et eazy man," and "waagwaan!" However Will and I hunker down, grind our teeth, and get through it.

2. Jamaican men LOVE women! They love women no matter what the shape, size, or color. They stand along the street and pssssst women they find attractive. Needless to saying there is a lot of psssssting on the street. Not just at me but at several of the women! This can be extremely annoying however I just ignore them and keep walking.

3. Our host mother's sister washes our clothes (for a small fee $J900) The first time she decided to do this we gave her a uool eap ( a lot ) of laundry not really thinking anything about it. About 5 minutes later she came running in hollering my name. I went into the kitchen to meet up with her. She stood on her tippy toes and whispered in my ear, "Andrea I can't wash your underwear can you please come take them out?" I shook my head yes and walked out in dismay to remove my underwear. I asked her if I should take Will's too- she told me no she would wash his dirty smelly underwear but not mine! Later I found out that women wash their own underwear! Even if you put them in a washing machine a womans underwear have to be washed alone!

4.The typical jamaican dish is rice and peas (kidney beans), chicken, and cabbage salad (kind of like coleslaw). This can get old after awhile! However Saturday we received a real treat! Pig Tail Soup! Will was much more brave then me! I gagged and decided to pour the soup back into the pot when my host mother wasn't looking! Will ate about half his and then did the same as me :)

5. Jerk Chicken is truly delightful! Will's favorite is Jerk Pork! On any day you can drive alongside the road and find little huts serving bits of delightful jerk chicken, pork, and goat!

6. There isn't a McDonalds to be found on the island (thank goodness) however Burger King and KFC are huge here! When we were in Kingston we ate at TGI Fridays! It was soo good- but left us both with upset tummies!