Cricket

One of the best aspects of travel is immersing yourself in other cultures. 

Whether it be the arts, food or sport it is all there for you to experience.

With this in mind we decided to go to Grenada's National Stadium

to see our first Cricket match.

I will apologize up front to all our British, Australian, West Indian,

to all our friends who are citizens of a country that is part of the

British Commonwealth for I'm sure to describe something incorrectly

or use an incorrect term when I describe our experience viewing this

sport that you love so well.  One does not understand Cricket in a day.



The match was England vs the West Indies and it was a Test Match

which I am told is the traditional way of playing Cricket. 

Traditional is their way of saying this is going to take 5 days.

We went on day 4 and watched for 5 hours not including the breaks

for lunch and afternoon tea.  That is the players' breaks for lunch

and tea, not ours.  I understand there is also 50/50 and 20/20 Cricket,

shortened versions of the game designed to attract an audience who

wants a faster paced match. 



By the time we left we were beginning to understand a few aspects of

the game but I will confess that I don't know what an "over" is

(it was explained to me but I can't remember what I was told) and how

you can score more than 600 points but lose by "wickets"?

It definitely is a game of endurance.  While we were sitting in the

shade with a wonderful breeze blowing and cold drinks in our hand,

the players were standing in the hot, Caribbean sun for 6 hours. 

The same 2 batters (not sure if that's what they are called)

were batting for 4 of the hours that we were there watching

and they weren't finished as they weren't "out".

The bowler gets the most workout during the match.

After 5 hours and the break for afternoon tea, we decided to call it a day.

The match was completed today with England winning over the

West Indies by 9 Wickets.  I have no clue what this means!

West Indies First Innings       299 all out (104.4 overs)

England First Innings            464 all out (144.1 overs)

West Indies Second Innings  307 all out (112.0 overs)

England Second Innings    144 for 1 (41.1 overs)

I think I prefer a faster paced sport and by faster paced I mean one where  

the game is actually completed after several hours not days. 

But all in all it was a good day.  Jolly good!

Snorkeling the Statue Park

 

Last weekend we were invited to join a group for an excursion

to Grenada's underwater statue park.  Located on the west coast,

the park is home to a number of statues that are placed in about 15 feet

of water, perfect for snorkeling.



This is the newer of two circles of human forms holding hands.

I will admit that the sea has given the figures somewhat of a

zombie appearance (think night of the living dead) but we found

it quite beautiful.



 

There is a mermaid resting on the ocean floor.

 

 

Faces appear amongst the coral.

 

This an area called the cemetery.

Human shapes in the sand.

 



Kneeling in prayer.

 

The shoreline is a series of little caves carved by the waves.

 

Heading back to the Carenage, the main port in St. George's,

we had a beautiful view of the town.

Fort George standing guard over the town.

 

The fishing fleet, back in port and the end of another great day!



Grenada National Learn to Swim Week

 

I just had a really good week!

It was a week where I not only had fun but

where I felt like I did something really worthwhile.

I was one of the volunteers who taught Grenadians to swim!



In a country surrounded by water,

it is estimated that 90% of Grenadians

do not know how to swim.



 For 5 days we conducted classes in swimming pools and at beaches

around Grenada.  The volunteers taught more than 500 children and

adults providing more than 1600 hours of instruction.  It was fabulous!

I was fortunate to get to spend every afternoon on gorgeous

Grand Anse Beach. 

 A couple of volunteers taking a break under

the almond tree that was our base.

 

 Playtime after the lesson. 

Bryan couldn't wait to get to the beach everyday!

My students ranged in age from 6 to 62.

The look of pure joy on their faces when they learned to swim

was really wonderful.

 

 St. George's University students Terri, Gaby and Elbert with me on

 the last day of teaching.  It was great to see these future doctors

and veterinarians donating their time to this program. 

 

 

 

 





Follow the link to my night sky column number 16 in the Caribbean Compass pages 33 and 34.

http://www.caribbeancompass.com/online.html

See what is happening in the sky between April 16 and May 15. 

Cruisers Against Cancer

This is the 3rd year that my friend Hope and I have put on a fundraiser for 

the Pink Ribbon Society of Grenada.

The first year we used our weekly domino game to solicit donations in 

memory of a fellow cruiser who we lost to this hateful disease. 

Last year we thought why not continue?

This year we thought we can do more.

Still building on the domino game theme we solicited prizes from various 

businesses and added a raffle.  The spirit of giving is alive and well in Grenada.

Almost everyone we asked said yes!

We had gift certificates for restaurants, supermarkets, bike rental,

gym memberships, movie passes, wine, beer, glassware, artwork,

and much, much more.

It was fantastic!

 Jim at the game.

He didn't win, he didn't lose, he had fun!

Our happy first place winner.

I am so happy to say that we raised 2000 ECD which will all go to 

help cancer patients and their families right here in Grenada.

Hope and I have some more ideas for next year so if you're in the area,

how about a game?