Category Archives: Out And About

“So what do you do for fun?”

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Today is a holiday here in Grenada. As I was driving home from the office this evening, I saw my neighbour dressed up and about to leave home. She had some dishes in her hand. I imagined she and her spouse were going to a friend’s home, to be joined by other friends. I silently asked myself why had I been at work, when I no longer work in a hotel, but in the financial sector, which operates Monday to Friday from 8 to 4? It reminded me of a recent conversation which had got me seriously thinking.

A few Sundays ago, I was out to lunch with a friend from overseas and her friend who lives here. As it was a few years since I had seen her, we were catching up on what each other had been doing in the intervening years. Naturally, that included whether there were any developments in the romantic arena. “Nope….no boyfriend,” I reported. Why? Well, mostly because I have always been in work situations where I work many hours, even on weekend and holidays.

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What Makes Living In Grenada Great!

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**Yamfoot’s note** I originally wrote this article in 2015 for a website, which then had some technical issues so it is no longer available there. I thought I should re-produce it on my blog.

At the end of the article, I will add some updated notes.

“How could you leave big big Jamaica and go and live in one of those small islands?” Grenada, the small island I chose, measures just 12 miles west to east and 21 miles north to south. In 1997, this Jamaican added to Grenada’s population of approximately one hundred or so thousand people at the time. Originally intending to spend two years then move on, 18 years later, Grenada is still captivating and feels like home.

Here are five reasons why living in Grenada is great.

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My 52nd birthday

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NB. Click on links to view videos

Today is my birthday! Always excited to see the #Twitter greeting.

I’d had initial plans to check into a guest house in Western Grenada Sunday and stay till today, but they quoted more than I thought I should pay. Then a second option came up and I decided not to do that. Yesterday I drove up that side and came back to my flat, all in quick time. Twenty-one x 12 miles enables that.

What should I do on my birthday then? I decided to make no plans, except for the 1 pm physiotherapy appointment. One of the best ways for me to spend a day is not to have a schedule. I value freedom.

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Photos: Out And About In Rural Grenada

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Saturday was Road Trip Day. I tossed my Samsung phone, iPad and Fuji Fine Pix camera into the bag. In the end, I only used the Samsung. I went from St George to the town of Gouyave in the parish of St John where I bought a delicious fish roti. Saw where Kirani James grew up. Man you gotta lift your hats off to his mother. Next it was on to Diamond in St Mark.

Grenada is a lovely island and exploring as a single female is very safe. I ended up in dead ends in Mount Granby and elsewhere. Check out all the photos on my Flickr page. At some point I will put captions.

 

View of the Carenage and beyond from Cemetery Hill.

View of the Carenage and beyond from Cemetery Hill.

Happy Independence Grenada!

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Bleh that the holiday fell on a weekend, but anyway, Happy 41st Independence Grenada!

Went to the Stadium to see the crafts and food on display in the Made In Grenada expo. Some good quality products….if only they had a larger market, or the capacity to export.  But what I REALLY went for, was to find some Oil Down.

First, some photos of the products being sold.

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Not only does it smell delicious…it also has healing properties

 

Pieces for the Kitchen, very neatly made

Pieces for the Kitchen, very neatly made

Hand painted coral is at the bottom of this jewellery piece.

Hand painted coral is at the bottom of this jewellery piece.

Now on to the more important topic. You recall that I have been experimenting with meat since Christmas, after being on a vegetarian diet since 2005. The return to meat was timely. Pig tail is one of the most delicious things in the Oil Down. What exactly is Oil Down? A non-Grenadian did a detailed explanation with picture. Take a look here.

Went to the food stall immediately on arrival. It done! This was 1:30!!!!! Had a bake with smoked herring instead. Then a friend with whom I had shared my disappointment, came and told me there was a lady selling Oil Down. Happy like  a pig in swill. So prepared was I that I had carried a food container and a food bag. Oil Down is carb loaded and I knew I wouldn’t have been able to eat off all of the EC$12 version. Dug in, had half, then packaged the rest.

Then, to top off today, another friend called to ask if I wanted Oil Down. Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss! That’s going to be the Sunday Dinner. Had to take a taste though. It’s THAT good.

Grenada's National Dish - Oil Down

Grenada’s National Dish – Oil Down

Beach Day

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Most weekends are spent at the beach….photos taken with a Samsung Galaxy S5

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If only I could sail a hobie cat…….

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The view looking across to the capital St George’s and the verdant hills beyond

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The coconut vendor came along at the right time. I had forgotten my water.

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Should have booked in to that five star luxury hotel

Pre-birthday views and celebrations

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Normally I would have started the celebrations from 1st October and in fact, when I turned a significant age a few years ago, I celebrated for the whole year. This year, work has kept me busy, so it started late, on Friday, with lunch at the hotel I used to work at. Yesterday was the beach and today I was back for lunch at the hotel again. Here are some scenes. No captions necessary…though I did add some 🙂

Grenada is one seriously beautiful island….like Jamaica.

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Grand Anse Beach

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Panoramic shot

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Healthy eating

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View from the lunch area

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Lagoon by dusk

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Teeny tiny cake

Make a wish!

Make a wish!

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Beautiful sky

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My sweet teeth were nagging me today

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After a day spent working at home, I decided I needed some fresh air. I was feeling for something sweet (sugar……my drug of choice!) and since I don’t want to be tempted, I don’t buy anything like that. Well, most times I don’t. I have Dates, but didn’t feel for that. I had heard about a place in ‘town’ called Chelsea’s Cafe, which serves homemade Gelato.

Ah ha! I hatched a plan. Since I knew I was going to have extra calories, why not earn them?  Continue reading →

To Town Again I Go

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The Government doesn’t have their systems set up right so my trip into town last Friday was a waste of time IMO. It meant I had to go back today. Was mulling how to get there, since parking is always tight. I visualized the route in my head and thought “that’s not far….I can walk!” Suited up in my tracksuit bottom, red T-shirt and red knapsack and off I went. I ignored the fact that it was after 10 a.m. and the sun was HOT, HOT, HOT! I needed a tan anyway, because remarkably, I have not been to the beach not even once in the three weeks since I have been back! [*note to Self: fix that immediately!]. I didn’t recall seeing any dogs in my past drives, nor any madmen, so everything was good to go.  Continue reading →