Mango House Halloween

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays and just because we are in the Caribbean where the people are too superstitious to celebrate it doesn't mean the Mango House didn't raise the roof.  We had a bucket of candy, lots of food, and a Hallo-weeny roast that had to be lit twice because of a wonderful Caribbean downpour that blew through for about fifteen minutes.  Amazingly Cramer gathered enough wood on an island with nothing but a few fruit trees, mostly Coconut, to last all evening.  Everyone came in costume and had a grand old time eating and making merry (jello shots helped!).

At the beginning of first semester when we getting to know each other, Anna and I discovered at dinner one night that we are both the same 1/8  percentage of Cherokee.  The entire table got a very good laugh out of this as she really looks Native American and I'm about as much of a pale skin as you can get.  Anyway, it was decided way back then that we would be Indians for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Since my costume was decided it wasn't that large of a leap to decide on Cramer being the cowboy and then all we needed was a horse...enter Conner.  I know what you are thinking, a cowboy should have a western saddle but I couldn't bear it, soooo, yes, that is a dressage saddle on Conner!

The evening was a great success with everyone having a great time eating, drinking, and playing ladder golf (we have a house set now made by Cramer).  We are also hosting the festivities at Thanksgiving and plan on a repeat performance next year.  The Mango house is the perfect setting for merry making, apparently, which doesn't bother any of us.  School is going well for all of us but it definitely takes it's toll, it is so nice to have a relaxing evening with friends once in a while to remind yourself that there really is life outside of textbooks and lecture halls!  Cramer also really cut loose, probably because he had gone on a 10 hour hike to the very top of the volcano starting at 6:00 that morning and so was very ready to relax and enjoy himself!

I hope Halloween was just as funfilled for all of you guys and I'd love to see pictures of everyone in their finery so if you have some send them to Cramer and I at prcramer@yahoo.com

Happy Halloween from the Caribbean Cramers and Winston (the carved pineapple!)

Conner's First Day at the Beach

The first weekend Conner was off of quarantine we took him to the beach.  We even went to the Atlantic side of the island so he could experience waves for the first time.


St. Kitts is situated with the Atlantic Ocean to one side of it and the Caribbean sea to the other.  The Atlantic always has waves and usually has stronger currents; the caribbean side is calm, greener, and saltier.  At North Friers beach, the point where the two meet, a Y of turbulent water is formed and we are told not to swim there as many deaths from occurred at that beach due to the rip tides.
  
I knew Conner would come into the water if I went in and called him but I never expected him to actually like the water!  It probably helped that our friend Cara brought her golden Grizzly to join in on the fun.  With a water loving dog playing fetch with YOUR dad you really have no choice but to dive right in and prove you can fetch too, even if your legs are only 1/4 as long :-).

This was definitely one of the days I was able to forget the stresses of school and enjoy the world around me.....not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance to experience a different life and culture. If you ever get the chance, take it; growth in any direction is always a good thing.

Jewels of the Caribbean

Just a few of my favorite pictures Cramer has taken on his adventures so far. Quite a few of them are taken from one of my favorite places on the island, Brimstone Hill Fortress www.brimstonehillfortress.org. There are some places where history can just be felt and Brimstone is one of them.