First Two Weeks in Bellevue

I’ve been in Bellevue for a little less then two weeks now and I’m enjoying myself so far.  I would like to think that I’ve been here long enough and had enough different sites to know when I have found a good place, and I think I have.  Bellevue is a small rural community of about 600 people in the mountains about 15 miles south of Port Antonio.  If you don’t mind smalling up in a taxi for about an hour on really bad roads, the people are nice, the food is good and the views are amazing.  From my house, I can see down the Rio Grande Valley all the way back to Port Antonio and the ocean.  I finally have batteries again, so I’ll take pictures when I get back to site and post them as soon as possible.

 

Like I said, the community members are really friendly.  One reason for this is that they had a volunteer living in the community a few years ago who everyone really liked, so they have a good view of volunteers already.  Another reason is that, with the community being so small, everyone knows everyone and most of them help each other with their farms and raising animals. The hardest part so far is trying to remember everyone’s name.  Walking down the street, I have been getting into a lot of conversations with people who know me and who I’ve met before, but can’t remember.  A few more months a few thousand more awkward conversations and I’m sure it will sort itself out.

 

My host family has been a real highlight so far.  They are farmers who have a sizable piece of land and grow yams, dasheene, bananas and coffee (yes, blue mountain coffee) along with some random fruit trees like papaya, mango and pair (avocado).  They also raise goats and chickens.  I’ve already seen my first goat butchered and will be seeing the first round of chickens go next week.  Also, in a few weeks, one of my host brothers will have a birthday and said he wants to butcher a hog, definitely looking forward to some nice fresh pork.  I’ve enjoyed eating with the family and learning more about real Jamaican cooking.  There is never a shortage of yams and dumplings at dinner. 

 

As for work, it has been the typical Peace Corps experience of “easing” into the process.  I’ve been able to get involved with the maintenance of the community water supply system, which is a pretty big task, trying to maintain a few miles of pipe through some rough terrain.  In addition, the principal at the school has been enthusiastic about letting me help with literacy and computer lessons.  It is just beginning now, but I’m looking forward to getting more involved with the school.  I can’t say I’m looking forward to all the frustrations that volunteers have in schools, but it is better then commuting into Kingston on a daily basis.

 

So that is about it for my first two weeks.  Can’t wait to get back to site.