17.8.11

Eleuthera: Part 1

Arriving in the Bahamas 9 months ago with very little idea why I was there, or who I would meet, or really anything at all was one of those experiences that can neither be described, imagined nor recreated. Since my arrival I have come to know myself, others, and the earth a whole lot better.

I flew in, low, in a small plane over typical gorgeous turquoise seas dotted with the shadows of clouds and small fishing boats. Brushy, low vegetation and an old grey airstrip greeted me. A one building airport. The baggage collection passed through a chain link fence. Bahamians lingering, chatting. Almost impossible to interpret their dialogue at this point.

I met the person who was giving me a ride, Gabe, and we loaded up a Toyota surf , before driving the forty minutes to the Cape, location of the Island School, and my new home. From Cape town to Cape Eleuthera it took me something like fifty three hours of travel, and I felt like I had arrived in another universe.

Its interesting how my first persective of a place always changes once I spend some time there. Even the geographical orientation seems to spin around in my awareness and my memory as I become wired to the new directions and landmarks around me. I have trouble find North, South or anywhere at first. Then, over time, my compass stops spinning and I find direction.

Meeting people for the first time in the dining hall, after finding Lissa- short, curly haired, vaguely eccentric- my new boss, was an interesting experience. They were crowded around pots in the kitchen, eating standing up. Now that I think about it was certainly because that’s how Chris Maxey, the founder and director of the islandschool was eating, and people tend to follow his lead. He is a man that influences others through his actions.

I sunk into bed that first night, in my new dormitory with a vaulted ceiling, exhausted and excited for the unknown, that which always gets me feeling nervous and alive.







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