So it is kind of overwhelming to even try to write this post since so much has happened since my last post. I have moved into my apartment and it does not have internet yet so the few brief moments I have had with wifi I have spent quickly chatting with people and checking emails etc. It has been a busy few days since coming to the island so I will briefly (although I am sure this will wind up being longwinded) break it down for you!).
Friday:
Lisa and I arrived to the island on the ferry around 9:30 in the morning. Rented a small economy car (which I still have, thank goodness) and checked into our villa. Met with the lady that coordinates rentals for the students and looked at about six different apartments, one of which I really liked. Wanted to secure that rental but they were very wishy washy about it, and couldn't give me a guarantee that I would have it and said it wouldn't be ready until at least Tuesday. I would of waiting around for it except they wouldn't even let me sign a lease or anything guaranteeing that I would end up with it in the end (stressful!). Relaxed at the villa that night. While sitting outside, the HUGEST spider I have ever seen creeped up on us. Lisa and I were both standing on our chairs until it went away. This this was about as big as my cellphone and hairy. Pretty sure it was a tarantula. Absolutely terrifying! Also, the inside of the villa was full of tiny red ants, they were in the bed, kitchen, everywhere! Couldn't get the creepy-crawly feeling off for at least 24 hours!
Saturday:
Called one of the locals (I got his number off of an upper year student) as he had a three bedroom apartment for rent). He was able to show it right away so Lisa and I raced over to look at it and it was perfect and $500 a month cheaper than the place I saw the day before that I liked, so we decided to take that apartment instead. It was move in ready and had everything there that was needed. We booked a different hotel for that night due to the bug situation which was miles nicer and right on shoal bay. It was beautiful, the beach was gorgeous, and the view was spectacular. We decided to stay there for the night to allow the landlord time to give the apartment a good clean and time to get last minute stuff ready. It was nice to have a bit of time to relax now that we knew I had found a place! We walked up the beach to a small beachy snack bar and grabbed a burger and fries (just what we had been craving) and took it back to our patio, watched the sunset, did some swimming, and just took it easy.
View from our balcony at Shoal Bay Villas
The beautiful sunset that night
Sunday:
Sunday was Lisa's last day on the island as she had to fly out of St. Martin early Monday and there isn't a ferry from Anguilla early enough that would get her to the airport in time to fly out. First thing in the morning we moved my stuff to the apartment, then went to the grocery store to buy some basics. I went to several ATMs and realized that my bank card would not work on the island to withdraw cash, which TD at home told me I would have no trouble, so spent lots of time on the phone with them trying to figure that out (and never did, they basically said they could not help me). We set up the apartment and a bit and then spent her last few hours exploring the island's different beaches and views. It is absolutely breathtaking here and we found a few absolutely amazing spots!
View along the drive
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| Mead's Bay |
Mead's Bay
Boat race that was going on at Mead's Bay
Mead's Bay
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| The view across from Rendezvous Bay (St. Martin) |
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| Rendezvous Bay
After our sightseeing tour, I dropped Lisa off at the ferry, wished her farewell, and I was on my own which was a really weird feeling. That night I just spent the night unpacking and cleaning the apartment and things like that.
Monday:
I woke up Monday, was about halfway through getting ready for the day and the electricity went out. Also had no water. The gas for the stove hadn't been hooked up yet either. This was a tough day for me. I was in a country where I knew absolutely no one, had no electricity, no water, no gas, no phone, no internet, and no access to money. I drove back to the bank and got lost on the way there. My card still didn't work (although the TD rep on the phone insisted if I went back the next day to try again that it would). So I decided to open an account at the scotiabank here and just transfer money between the two accounts. I went into the bank, waited in line for about 45 minutes, and spent another 45 minutes explaining the situation to them. They were good and tried help, called my bank for me and everything, but couldn't get anything figured out and couldn't get me any money. They wouldn't let me open an account unless I had a rental lease from the landlord (along with my passport, student acceptance letter, and driver's license)...which I didn't have yet because I HAD NO MONEY TO PAY RENT!! Frustrating! My landlord is very understanding though, she ended up giving me a lease and I got it worked out, they also came over and fixed the electricity and water and stuff later that day. It was just a frustrating morning! That afternoon I picked up another incoming student that was arriving alone and helped her look for an apartment. It was nice to have some company.
Tuesday:
My roommates arrived on Tuesday, finally! I picked them up at the ferry and did two runs in the little rental car to get them and all the luggage to the house. It was so nice to finally meet them and I was relieved when we instantly all got along! I took them to the grocery store for some stuff and we just sort of hung around the house so they could get settled in. I could see the initial shock that exists when you see the island for the first time...how little there is here and how small the stores and restaurants are etc. It will definitely be an adjustment! The people here are all super friendly though. If you are pulled over on the side of the street within two minutes someone will approach the car to ask if you need help or directions which is a very nice feeling!
Wednesday:
Took the roomies to the school so they could check it out. We chatted with some upper year students in the lounge for almost an hour and asked them all sorts of questions about the program. Went to shoal bay and hung out for a lot of the afternoon and did some sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing. Walked down to the grocery store near our house to check it out (it is tiny and just has the necessities). Later at night walked to the beach again to see if anything was open to have a drink but everything was closed. It was still a nice walk. Went to bed early!
Here are some pictures of the apartment:
    
My Bedroom
Rachel's Bedroom
Michael's Bedroom
  
Patio wraps around the entire apartment
 
View from the patio
That is all I have to say for now, I've been sitting at the school far too long considering I still have four more days of freedom before the fun really starts! Miss you all!!! xoxoxo
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