Caribbean love.

After spending 6 days in Canada, and its cold, blustery winter, I was back in the tropics of the Caribbean, set to spend the next month or so with stays in Belize, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Have I mentioned that I love tropical weather? Because I do. Immensely. I don’t think I will tire of seeing palm trees, and turquoise-hued water. Ever. That being said, seeing a snow-covered landscape while landing at home was as heart-warming as one of those Tim Horton’s commercials. However, stepping outside into the weather that makes snow possible was about as pleasant as stubbing my toe, or accidently sitting on an ant farm. As much as I am a proud Canadian and love my home, there’s something about an ocean-side tropical view that sits 100% right with me.

Perhaps it’s the fact that this tropical setting is completed with friendly people, delicious seafood, and a relaxed vibe. Maybe it’s the “go slow” way of life, or the fresh pineapple I get to eat on a daily basis. Whatever it is, I was happy to come back to it, and to my life as a teacher on Class Afloat.

We arrive in Havana, Cuba in the first few days of February, my second time in this Caribbean, socialist paradise. This experience is far different than my first here, which was mostly spent in the comforts of a fancy-pants resort on the beaches of Varadero. Anyone going to Cuba should be required to stop by Havana, as it was quite possibly one of the most vibrant cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. Cobblestone streets, antique cars, and a great live music at every turn are enough to convince me of this. A part of our time here is also spent indulging in some of Cuba’s finest resources: beaches and weather being two of them. We cool down at a local pool, and take the students on a bus tour to Varadero, where everyone enjoys a day in Caribbean waters. We also take in a Cuban entertainment show at the National Hotel, go for a morning job along the seawall, and take in the city’s offerings.

After our time here, we set sail for Samana, Dominican Republic. Once there, we are set to work with a community leader on a service project in the town of Las Terrenas, a 45-minute drive from where we are docked. We receive the itinerary of our 4 days here, and it looks awesome! Some of us will be working on a garden for a local school, some will build a playground, and others will be participating in a clean up of the local beaches, or working in the library. One group will paint a house owned by the oldest resident of town. The 103-year old woman will be wonderfully surprised by having her house painted, inside and out in her favourite colour: sky blue. It is also announced that the students will all be paired up with local residents, and will be spending 2 nights in their homes. As faculty members, we will be staying in what is simply described as a villa.

A villa. Sounds fancy.

We start imagining what this ‘villa’ could possibly look like… a villa that can house 8 adults? Some of us (me) start imagining a place with king sized beds, bathtubs (a luxury for us living as sailors), and a view of the ocean. Others are quick to dash that daydream, and point out that the ‘villa’ is most likely a big room with army cots.

“Imagine if the place had Wi-Fi….”.

Yes, I am sad to report, that train of thought was also mine. Being incommunicado for extended periods of time makes internet access a luxury – especially a strong connection that allows us to Skype call family and friends that we may not have been able to speak to for a significant period of time.

“There’s no way that place will have WiFi, Chantalle.”

“But just imagine…What if it has a hot tub…”

“Stop it. It has army cots.”

Arriving to said-villa was probably the most ridiculously lavish experience of my life. The villa had king-sized beds, a bathtub, tiled showers (yes, plural), a dipping pool, and a massage bed. Within our first few minutes in paradise, we find a note inviting us to call Levi, a masseuse that does house calls. What?!?! It also DID have Wi-Fi… for about 10 minutes. It crashed while we were simultaneously checking our e-mail. Not that it mattered much….we had an incredible abode to call ours for 2 nights. Not only that, but we were told that two caretakers would be coming in the next morning to cook breakfast for us… which they did. Do people really live like this? Eggs, baguette toast, fresh fruit and coffee served on a large balcony overlooking the ocean was way, way more than all of us were expecting, or even hoping for.

As it happens, Las Terrenas is largely town of ex-pats. It has a mostly French community, and a growing American and Canadian population as well. Many of the families that took in our students were foreigners, and some were placed with natives of the town. Everyone seemed to have had a memorable experience, living in the comforts of home for a few nights with incredibly hospitable people. This was well deserved by our students after many hours spent labouring, chipping and painting, building and digging, cleaning and dusting. Their hard work was also rewarded by a Valentine’s Day pig roast, hosted by the community. The crew was welcomed with open arms by everyone in the community, and our time here was awesome.

These first few ports were a good indication of how our new crew, comprised of new and returning students, would work together – and, I can safely, and confidently state that it will be an incredible semester, shared with people that I’m so happy to get to share this experience with. With or without wi-fi, tiled showers, or a masseuse called Levi, Class Afloat has been more than I could possibly hope, or ask for.

Details on Bermuda, and the Atlantic crossing soon!
xo