Cool job - HOT food!

So its tough to explain to people how working in this paradise like setting can be work - even for one as expressive and enthusiastic as me.  But it is! 

First let me back up and tell you all dear readers that Jamaica is a wonderful, tropical, welcoming, blue sky destination.  It's also very expensive - and the currency defies my understanding. When my dinner bill comes to $2780 I have to quietly sneak my phone out, try to remember the conversion rate, then figure out just how much that braised oxtail deliciousness cost me.  Let's not even start down the road of tipping - the hotels already work them into the bill, my husbands little voice comes to my head saying - TIP dangit, don't be so cheap, "you know the difference between Mennonites and canoes? Canoes tip!"  LOL ...and then the conversion hell starts all over. 

Jamaica is a land of smiles and amazing food! The Jerk Shop exploration warranted a Zantac before bed, purely preventative mind you - the hot sauce was HOT.  I must look fridge white to the locals, so when getting the small container of sauce I had three locals warn me it was wicked hot made with scotch bonnet peppers.  And just as an extra heads up the sauce area was surrounded by more peppers.  And finally my eyes watered as I neared it - you can't say I didn't see it coming!  So pepper fans -- you've been warned. 

The chef at the beautiful Pegasus hotel where I've been planted for the week did say that they add some shredded veggie to the chopped peppers, to reduce the jolt from the heat.  And it works! So when I had a fish dish, the sauce, tho infused with peppers was definitely bearable.

My mission here for the week - meet up with my Jamaican project manager, (the lovely but flu bug bitten Ms Stephannie) and her wonderful right hand Hannah, and the other Canadians (Natalie from FCM and Mark from Nfld) to plan and carry out some training and counselling with local groups.  My mission is to "sensitize Parish Mayors, and Admin to the value of a local economic development officer".  Perfect - and then update them on the Strategic Planning Process, etc etc.  It's a thrill to get to present to an audience that I assume wants to hear the message. 

So laptop in hand, I sit poolside and tweak the final slide show I've prepared -last week, and updated for 7 hours on Sunday in preparation for the rest of the week. 

Sprichsten of the pale Frau by the pool - what a great place to sit in the shade and people watch! I was entertained by a group of about 10 Brits two days ago, they were into the drinky's and splashing etc in the pretty blue water.  How surprised was I yesterday to learn they were all a British Airways crew! Fab!

Palm trees, a wee gecko, great big butterflies in blues, lime green, butter yellow and brilliant reds...like flying flowers! And many flowers to attract them and the multitude of song birds.  I don't recognize any of them, but from big blue crested birds, to teeny finches, they are all busy here.

OK back to tweaking the powerpoint, think it's time for an iced coffee to see me through  And more sunscreen! 

Carry on troops!