Thursday, April 2, 2009

Good Bye Flat Erika!


This is Karen. I've had a great time with Flat Erika and her blog. I just took Jay and Kevin to the airport and with tears in my eyes said goodbye to the two flat girls and the boys.

This morning we woke early, drank coffee on the balcony and went for a walk. We walked over to my favorite beautiful spot in my village and sat there in silence for quite sometime.

I thought about the last six weeks and how much fun it has been to "link up" with Flat Erika.

First, you learned about history

You came to the island as we were celebrating Saint Lucian Independence. You learned about the first people on the island, the peaceful Arawaks and then the Caribs, the fierce fighters who practiced cannibalism.

Then I took you to Pigeon Point so you could see where some of the battles between the French and English were fought. You heard about slavery and how hard it was for the people. You also know the people of Saint Lucia are bi-lingual, speaking both Kweyol and English; and of course you know about the traditional dress as both Flat Erika and Flat Autumn will return with a new outfit.

Next you learned about nature and the island's beauty

Wonderful critters, volcano's, and natural hot springs are things locals never tire of. You also learned about the very special Rastafarian, Sly Joseph, who is making his own electricity and growing his own food on the land.

Third, I hope I was able to capture the wonderful people in my village

They are gentle, warm and caring. Some are very poor with no electricity and running water. They live in a perpetual state of camping. You learned about fishermen and how they fish. You learned that a fisherman is not afraid to cross the rough sea, taking his family to visit friends and family on Martinique. You heard the music that can be heard every day while riding the buses or passing by restaurants.

Then you learned about Peace Corps Volunteers and what they do

I took you to Monroe College; we welcomed the newest group of Peace Corps Volunteers on the island. We went to Castries to escort the girls in Junior Achievement; attended the games of disabled people on the island; and we toured visitors from a ship around our village.

That was just Saint Lucia. We went to Martinique and Dominica

We learned that Martinique belongs to the French; their money is the Euro, and it feels a lot like visiting Paris. Then we went to Dominica and hiked through the rain forest summiting at the second highest Piton on the island and then visited Trafalgar Falls.

I enjoyed every minute of it and I will see all my 3D family and friends in December!

So I will leave you with our last morning together in the village with the sounds of the furious Atlantic Ocean.

Love,
Karen




3 comments:

  1. Karen,
    Thank You so much for all that you have done. This has been 3-D Erika's favorite project by far. We just received the Flat Erika book from the boys this past weekend. It is wonderful. Thanks again! Flat Erika can't wait to see you over the holidays =).

    Rich

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  2. I'm glad it was a hit. I enjoyed it so much. I just emailed Kristi and told her I feel like I've lost my friend and companion. I hope Erika enjoys her Back to School night Thursday!

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  3. Wow, it reminds me of toyvoyager. Hugs from Philippines

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