Summer break has finally started and I love having some time off. To start my vacation, my friend Jaclynn came to visit. For a special treat, we stayed at a resort for 5 days on the west coast of the island called TiKaye. It wasn’t like Sandals (which I was so glad) and the rooms were amazing cottages/bungalows with great views, a hammock, AC, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool. It had a great tropical jungle feel and was instantly relaxing. We were very spoiled. We went to the beach every day, the water was warm, the sand burned our feet (black sand beach so it held the sun’s heat well) and the weather was so great, it only rained our last day and it was very little. They had kayaks available as well as snorkel gear so we spend lots of time exploring the reefs along the coast. The food was amazing, though dinner was pretty expensive. So we ate lots of “free” breakfast that came with the room, we loved lunch which was on the beach front and had generous and more affordable portions, and for dinner, we ate light. Our servers were not very happy with us when we didn’t order wine or 3 course meals. But we enjoyed ourselves and made some friends with the staff when the realized we were not the average tourists they were used to. I was so sad to leave, this was my first “vacation” I have had here in St Lucia. I actually had to request vacation time from service and it was so worth it!
The summer reading program that I have each Wednesday at the school is going so well! Kids are returning each week to exchange books. When students answer reading comprehension questions that I have prepared for the books they check out, they earn points that will win them prizes. They are very excited about that, I hope to not disappoint them. Even the teachers have been coming to help and support. Overall, it has been very successful and each week, the numbers are growing.
I have been to so many funerals here in St Lucia. But last Saturday, I was able to attend my first Lucian wedding!! My 2nd Grade co-teacher at my school got married and it was so nice. It was a catholic wedding so there was a lot of singing and communion. But my favorite part was the bridal party. Marching down the aisle, there were 3 flower girls, a ring bearer, mini bridesmaids, bridesmaids and groomsmen, Maid of Honour and Best man, and then a mini bride and mini groom! They were two children dress just like the bride and groom and went down the aisle before the bride. They were so sweet. I have never seen or heard of that before. It was also fun to get dressed up, I ordered a cute polka dress so I could have something nice to wear. My clothes are getting old and I am sick of them already. 🙂
Caribbean Kim 
Your dog looks like a German Shepard head on top of a chihuahua body!
There’s nothing like a little pampering after a long stint, right? So glad you got to go to the resort!
xx Aunt Karen
I know! She is a little strange looking 🙂 She is half “mongrel” which is the wild ferral dog breed of the island. She is very protective of me and the house which is nice, even though she is on the small side. Hope you and the family are doing well. My mom told me you are going to Paris! Have a wonderful trip!! Miss you!