11/2/05 I'm Back

I’m back in Grenada! I had a great trip visiting Carrie in Baltimore and taking a weekend trip to NYC to visit my brother Doug, sister-in-law Melanie, and my parents.

The flight back was uneventful but I had a short layover in Puerto Rico; only 8 hours! To make some use out of the extra time, I took a cab to Old San Juan and visited Castillo de San Cristobal. This fort was constructed in the 17th century by the Spanish to protect the city from enemy invasion. These are some of the views from around the fort and me standing in one of the sentry boxes. These boxes were constructed jutting out from the wall to give a great view of everything surrounding the area, even directly below!

Like I said, we took a trip to NYC one weekend. We enjoyed a pumpkin carving session (I love Halloween) and some good food. Take a look at those huge steaks on the grill!

We got the steaks and the wine at two different stores within two blocks of my brother’s apartment in Manhattan. Immediately as we walked in the grocery, I was struck with how beautifully and varied the produce department was stocked. Just a little different than going to the store in Grenada where you’re never sure what produce, if any, is available. A few weeks ago I bought almost 10 pounds of all green tomatoes just because I hadn’t seen a tomato, red or green, in 2 months! Back in the US it is absolutely amazing how easy it is to find and buy almost anything, from food and produce to a flashlight. Here in Grenada you’re lucky to find one of a product you want where when you go to a store in the US not only do they have a flashlight but there are 15 different kinds to choose from!

We all got up early, very early on Monday morning to check out the Fulton Fish Market. This market has been in the same location for over 170 years at the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan but is soon moving to the Bronx. You know, trying to catch one of those pieces of true americana before it’s gone. Fish wholesalers set up here almost every morning trying to unload everything including lobsters, squid, snapper, monk fish, and tuna for sushi. Yumm!

This visit made me realize how happy I am to be able to enjoy living for a year in Grenada but also how much I’m looking forward to moving back home to the States!