I’m officially two weeks into my time here in St. Lucia and I thought I would throw in an update.  It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two entire weeks but the time has definitely flown by.

My first week here was spent trying to figure out our general way of life.  Things like discovering where the office is and how different it is compared to our US facilities, how we get around town both on the weekdays and the weekend, trying to understand the currency and currency conversion, navigating the grocery store and discovering how the selection of things change from week to week  and how each one of my team members interacts and functions both in and outside of work.

I wouldn’t say that I’ve had a hard time adjusting to life here but this has been the biggest change in my personal life that I have had in a long time.  Having never lived more than 100 miles from home, this is the largest step out of my comfort zone and the close circle of what I know.

There is still, in large part, a fear of the unknown.  A fear of not knowing what the next few weeks and months look like for me here.  There are a ton of new challenges ahead and a lot of adventures too. Here are a few of the things that I have learned since being here:

• The grocery store is hit or miss – selections change every time you walk in
• The cost of food is rather expensive
• The entire island is powered by generators, so electricity is very expensive
• 240v is not the same as 120v – don’t plug stuff in unless you know it will convert
• The locals are amazingly friendly
• People work hard here, both my team and the St. Lucia people in general
• Driving is a bit insane
• Having to wait on other people for things is a learning experience – rides, money, directions, general help, the bill, etc.
• The weather is amazing – constantly 85 degrees
• The washing machine takes 1.5 hours to wash 1 load
• The dryer takes an hour
• Visiting the barber to get a haircut is just like in the US.  Thankful for a good haircut
• Friends and family can come and visit – just find your way to the Island, the rest is taken care of