Aquaculture research group goes for a dive

Last Tuesday began as a free day for K1, who had just returned from their 7-day kayak trip.  K2 was on the water, while K3 headed off for Down Island, and K4 for a kayak trip.  Much packing took place throughout those 24 hours, while other students relaxed from the end of the academic week and gave us hints as to how to survive the challenges that would lie ahead, including the myriad of humanities papers and the upcoming 7.5 mile runs.  The various group trips met to discuss packing situations, and a few research groups discussed the responsibilities that would follow in the upcoming week.  Students were joyous at seeing their friends, and it was difficult to keep the secrets of what was ahead on the kayak trips.

An historic trip to Preacher's Cave

The next day, K1 left for Down Island, exploring caves and snorkeling sites, while the rest of the groups continued the rotation.  On the trip, we stopped at Preacher's Cave, once home to the Eleutherian adventurers in the mid-1600s, where we wrote our journal entries comparing our trips to Omeros.   We also bought some souvenirs at the famous “Surfer Pete's in Gregorytown, where Ida's Delights proved a cold, tasty ice cream treat.  Feasting on lunches of PB&J, Dennis told us many urban legends (some frightening and some just, well, amusing).  The tents, unlike on the kayak trip, were surprisingly spacious, and all the girls piled inside after a fun session around the fire.  Gorav's gourmet cooking wasn't too shabby, either.

On Thursday, we visited another cave, but this one was quite a different experience from the vastness of Preacher's Cave.  Entering to the depths below, we found ourselves crowded and surrounded by the screeches of bats, as well as cockroaches scattered left and right.  Jess and Anna bravely toughed it out, but were happy to reach the other side.  Dennis became the master of the machete, hacking through the brush (with Gorav helping us avoid poisonwood) to reach the vans.  Later, we found our camping spot on a long, gorgeous beach, and set up the gear.  That evening, we headed to Governor's Harbour to interview local citizens and go out to dinner.  The scavenger hunt was slightly embarrassing but quite enlightening, and the meal at Tippy's irreplaceable.  We slept full as could be, and left the next morning for the drive back. 

Julie, Katie and Kathryn work on Junkanoo

Friday was spent driving back to campus, with one stop in Gregorytown, where we met the other group, led by Sadelle and Meredith.  Lunch was (gasp!) cold cuts followed by an afternoon swim. With relaxing music playing in the background, we reached campus around 4:00.  The only group there, we showered and waited for our friends to return.  When they did, we greeted them, but soon had to get to work for the upcoming academic rotation.  Several papers had been previously assigned, and after we unpacked and asked K2 about their trip, we had a delicious dinner and prepared for the morning exercise the next day.

On Saturday we went on a run around the loop, approximately 5 miles, and we all felt out of shape. None of us had done much running in ten days. Saturday also meant that we lost our good friend Chris (again) temporarily while he goes home to the states to get medical treatment. Chris we miss you, get better and get back here! Saturday also consisted of making Junkanoo costumes and research.

Sunday was our second day back to academics. We each had to present a section of Omeros for our Humanities classes. We were all given an introduction to statistics courtesy of Nathan and we will be it applying for our research. Sunday night we had our 5th fish I.D. quiz.

Monday morning awoke and remembered that we had to do a long run/swim. The runners ran 7 miles and we were all pretty exhausted. Daylight savings time has really hurt us because even at 7 o'clock in the morning, it is getting pretty hot and the sun is way up in the sky. Monday continued with the regular chores and breakfast. We also wrote letters to teachers at our sending schools just to say hello and send them an invitation to next summers teacher conference here.

Tuesday we received our first sleep in since we all returned from our respective trips. That extra hour of sleep we all agreed was so nice. We also went on a SCUBA dive out to the aquaculture cage. It was the first dive in which everyone was certified; it was also our first deep dive in which we went down to depths of 90 feet. For some our research in the afternoon was interrupted by a pretty vicious storm that carried lightning and a lot of rain. It did however bring some much-needed rain to our cisterns.

Nick relaxes at Glass Window Bridge

SHOUTOUTS:

Roger – Shout out to home: Molly, Mom, Dad, Winnie, Max hope your enjoying cold LI.  today was the coldest day yet… 70degrees, but don't be too jealous.  Everything has been great here, I'll see you on parents weekend.  Tafties, enjoy school, ill see ya in January. 

Nick- Hey Mom, Dad and Lulu hope you are looking forward to getting out of the cold next week, see you soon!. I'm having an awesome time miss you Beavers- DA AR DM HC and everyone else. I will be home in no time. Keep the mail coming!

Jess- To the padres- I love and miss you dearly; can't wait to see you in…8 days!!! (1-2-1-2-3..NGTSDLTBBB..DS) Melissa, I miss you so much and have so, so much to tell you; give Soleil a hug for me and remind the air mattress of my imminent arrival.  To my friends at Nobles and in Cambridge, I'll see you when I return, but we're not on speaking terms if you didn't write.  IS rocks, see you suckers in December.