Peace Corps Baby Boomers : July 2015

Jamaican Primary schools honour graduants (yes that’s the word, not graduates) who move from Grade 6 to First Form in high school. Our school celebrated our “School Leavers” (sic) accomplishments with a ceremony, awards, guest speakers, a valedictory speech, and items (performances) by students. Our school had 2 students who earned academic scholarships, to help with costs of books, fees, etc., awarded by our Member of Parliament.

(Feel free to skip around this 6 minute video)

Irene and I have been making a “bucket list” of places to visit in Jamaica during the coming year. During slavery, agriculture was controlled by large plantations. Not too far from our home near Montego Bay is the Rose Hall Great House – the home of Annie Palmer, the “White Witch” who murdered 3 husbands and many lovers in her bedroom.

(You may click on the pictures to see a larger slide show)

Rose Hall Great House

Annie's Bedroom

Chill Out Hut - Fathers' Day Dinner

On Father’s Day, Irene and our friend Shawn took me to Chill Out Hut, a great casual seafood place right on the beach. I am in the process of getting my Jamaican Driver’s License (right hand drive – left side of the road), so I drove there using my Learner’s Permit.

...Driver practice

Sugar Mill Restaurant

Every once in a while we treat ourselves to a very ‘non-Peace Corps” night out. The Sugar Mill at the Half Moon Resort is one of Jamaica’s award winning restaurants – and they even make perfect Gin Martinis.

Irene working on Playground

Steve working on Playground

School is out for the summer, but Irene is very busy finishing up the construction and painting of the playground; she won a Peace Corps grant for this project at her school. We have 3 Peace Corps meetings to attend in July in Kingston and Runaway Bay, so we will try to keep up the bucket list activity and post more next time.