when it rains, it floods

So here we are entering our fifth week of third semester, and as hard as it is to believe, Justin's first test is next Monday! He's been really busy with all new courses as well as tutoring for first and second semester and being a T.A. in Anatomy lab. Keep him in your thoughts this next week while he prepares for the exam!

The rainy season has definitely begun here in Dominica, but I'm not complaining. You see, cloud coverage blocks the sun, which in turn keeps me from perspiring. At least as much as I have been for the past several months, which is definitely saying something. Let it rain!

Our new apartment sits at the bottom of Banana Trail's big hill (remind me to show you my newly developed calf muscles next time you see me). Seeing as I do like my calf muscles, and especially since it was my idea to move in the first place, I've avoided voicing any complaints, but really, the hill is the worst part about our new location. Since the rainy season has begun, it has become a slick muddy mountain that is equally dangerous to climb as descend. Just ask Justin. Needless to say we were thrilled when construction began a few weeks ago (right at the beginning of rainy season of course) to pave the hill. This was our fist encounter with Dominican road development and I enjoyed watching their 9 step plan. It went like this:

Step one: deposit truckloads of dirt along the edge of the hill.

Step two: smooth out the trail with the dirt.

Step 3: Take a break from your hard labor and watch the rain wash the dirt down (leaving the same marks of erosion you started with).

Step four: repeat process.

Step five: reevaluate efficiency of plan.

Step six: Pour concrete over wet, eroded earth.

Step seven: smooth wet concrete with a two by four, sliding it back and forth across the road. Step eight: cover with a tarp to protect from rain.

Step nine: repeat.

The newly paved road is such a luxury for us. That is, when I can get to the road. This afternoon it rained so much that I couldn't leave the porch! This is the first time I've ever seen this happen (it didn't even happen during the hurricane!) and it only lasted long enough for me to take several pictures and then receded into the stream behind our apartment complex.

So don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine. I do wish I had a rain gauge to record the amount of rainfall we've received.