Day 8-11: Week Two

Tuesday May 3 – Friday, May 6:

Day 8, Tuesday 5/3: Just Keep Swimming

Last night I wake up the sound of the screaming bug yet this time I’m not startled. I wake up and acknowledge “ah, yes. Hello screaming cricket” and drift back to sleep.

Today I am paired with Ella and we’re in compost and housekeeping. I’ve never before done compost, but I know that from farming for centuries, the soil becomes depleted of nutrients. And being on an old sugar farm, the soil here has taken it fair amount of beating. So, as putrid as the smell is, I respect its significance. So I play Dig It Up from the Holes soundtrack and we get to diggin’.

Eugene is here digging as well, a lizard. Presumably looking for food.

Later in the day, I talk to Ryan about sailboats. And later, Andreya takes me to conquer my fear of the ocean. She takes me snorkeling in Butler Bay, just across the street. I am a bit panic-y for the first several minutes in the water and it doesn’t help that my mask keeps fogging and the snorkel keeps getting water in it. But I learn how to calm myself and work through it. I see a group of Dory’s (Finding Nemo) aka, Blue Hippo Tang fish and do some braiding on the beach.

Day 9, Wednesday, 5/4: Will Kelly Ever Sleep?

Sleep Chronicles, Episode 9: There’s Something Crawling Up My Leg. I’m not kidding you when I say a mouse crawled into bed with me and decided to run up my leg in the middle of the night. So comical I know! I saw the little bugger when I walked into my room last night, figuring he escaped through the stone wall but nope, he crawled into bed with me.

It’s incredible how much a shift in lifestyle can alter one’s sleep. Change in lifestyle, and introduction of critters.

Anyways, later that morning at work, I do more cleaning with Ella this time in the Dragonfly House which, has a stunning view of the ocean, semi-outside bathrooms, and beautiful wooden furniture.

I had to take a shower before lunch because I felt like a swamp. During my working hours today, I have a Zoom call with a designer back in Buffalo. Ryan and Corina are flexible on working hours. It’s no problem as long as one is transparent.

After lunch, the search for sailing continues in the afternoon. I call the St. Croix Yacht Club for some leads but to no avail. I’m told I missed my one and only opportunity last weekend at the one regatta the island has. I laugh. Of course I missed the only regatta. it’s funny to me, because the Yacht Club seems to be so puzzled by my phone call. I can’t understand why they don’t have more leads or opportunities for people to sail and they don’t understand why I call them. We’re in the Virgin Islands for crying out loud! Buffalo had better resources for newbie sailors. So now, the search for sailing continues.

Meantime, I head to The Mill for evening yoga led by Amma and Corina as the sun fades into the water. Amma ends the session with a wonderful meditation where she calls us to look within then is abruptly interrupted by her shriek of surprise as a frog jumps and lands on her face. Stunned, I snap out of meditation and eyes jut open. Amma continues with the meditation and I can’t help but giggle.

Gosh I love these people and this place.

Day 10, Thursday, May 5: Monk’s Bath

Cat has been here for 6 months and her time is coming to an end here as she gets ready to return to the states. Since she’s been here, she has been the grounds keeper of the main house where guests of the hotel stay and access. The pool is there along with the cookhouse and morning coffee.

So, since Ms. Cat is leaving us (SAD!) someone has to take over the duties and that someone is me. So, today I’m following Cat as she shows me the gardens and the day-to-day tasks. She takes me to the nursery where I discover an Autograph Tree; called that because you can literally sign your name on the leaves! One of the many responsibilities of caring for the main house is watering all the gardens, nursery included.

After lunch, I talk with Bella, who is 18 and from Rochester, NY has what I think is a profound level of self awareness. At her age, I had an all-knowing attitude toward life. She’s aware of the corrupt college system and refuses to commit to a career without having interned. So, she’s out living her life, traveling. She plans to visit Puerto Rico after St Croix to experience life there. Bella I notice, is incredibly sweet and bubbly. She makes cookies or brownies for everyone at least once a week.

I lounge by the pool a Lot of the day, interrupted by a mist shower which, is not an interruption at all, it’s actually very welcomed as I watch a rainbow develop in the distance, feeling a sense of euphoria.

Later in the evening, Amma and I have a date to visit the Monks Bath, about a mile down the road. It’s a mystery how it was formed. I am not convinced mother nature created such a perfect rectangle. But anyways, we swim around for a while before getting out to enjoy apples as the sun fades into the sea.

Day 11, Friday, May 6: Solitary Nature – Osmosis

My biggest concern with attending a Workaway with several other Workawayers was whether or not there would be time and workspace to write and/or work remotely. It has been no problem finding my workspace with fantastic wifi I might add. But it’s this type of “segregation” or, focus if you will, that separates me from the pack. Instead of hitting the beach with them, I’m back on my computer at the house.

This focus paired with my solitary nature has made it a bit of a challenge to roll with the crowd. But in due time, I will adapt, just as I have done in the past when my I moved in my with my partner, and when he moved out.

I do commend people who can adapt to their surroundings quickly. My nature requires that I give myself more time to process and reach a level of osmosis during each stage of change. I don’t think this is the best way of doing it but I am just a product of my environment and I’m hoping I can become more outgoing through my experience with Workaway.

I am doing what I came here to do which is write as well as learn things about the renovation.

So anyways, Cat is leaving on Tuesday. She has been caring for the main house grounds for the last 6 months and in the wake of her departure, they need a replacement. So that’s me. Today’s job: training with Cat. Cat, btw, is the fittest 49 yr old woman I’ve ever seen. Eating a vegan diet and living an active lifestyle here at FLI will do that she says. Cat is also what people call here “the beautifier.” She’s not shy about sprucing up a room if she thinks it needs it. She’s always putting together a little bouquet or plucking the plumeria’s and potting new ones throughout the garden.

Cat shows me how to vacuum the pool and on a hot day, it’s a fabulous job. Even when it’s raining, it’s great.