Did you think this would be easy?
Nothing ever is when I do it. Sometimes I rely too heavily on things just falling into place, an irony since I stress trying to plan everything.
In short, I made it to Guadeloupe. I start work Thursday. I have no idea what I’m doing.
It was chance that I met a cool young woman, Elodie, on the last leg of my flight, San Juan to Pointe-a-Pitre. She had her friend who was picking her up give me a ride as well. They both went so far out of their way to help me get the things I needed and to take me to where I will be living. Shout out to Elodie et co!
My host had to leave a little early to visit her daughter in France, so her niece, Pauline, showed me around the house.
First full day on the island revealed that I’m on the struggle-bus, and it keeps stalling out. Haven’t met any of the teachers I’m supposed to be working with. Tried to open a bank account, but I needed ALL the paperwork. And the scooter plan is a bust since they apparently get stolen all the time.
And I slept. Most of the morning and a good portion of the afternoon. It’s 8pm here and I’m about to crash. It’s the heat. There’s humidity as well, but it’s so different than Houston. Though really, I think the only difference is my exposure to it. A friend once described Houston as a city where people live in a box, they get into another box that takes them to a third box in which they work. It’s true. That sea breeze on the island really helps, but I could not stand the relentless heat of the sun.
But tomorrow will be different! I will master the bus! I will know the times I’ll work and at which schools! I will drink a cup of coffee!
And I’ll get back to you, let you know how it all shakes out.
