Turks 2

You can't have a Part I without a Part II. Better late than never I suppose. These pics represent some of the highlights of my trip a few weeks ago to the Turks & Caicos Islands. I got to take a private helicopter ride from Providenciales to Grand Turk, traveling along the coast of several islands in between. It was truly breathtaking. Now that I think of it, there will probably be a Part III on the way with aerial shots of the other islands.

Until then, here is a picture of me, a few SA Officers, the Chairman of our Board, and the Governor General of the Turks. Yes, I am hob-knobbing with high profile politicians and celebrities these days.

The other picture is me in the helicopter.

Chicago

I was lucky enough to spend Discovery Day weekend in the city with my friend Thomas (& our new bud in the window).  Walked the streets, ate too many hot dogs, drank too many martinis, saw a lot of art, listened to some great music and had my first subway experience.  I highly recommend Hotel Sax if any of you are planning any future trips.

It was definitely nice to get back to the states after the recent shenanigans in Bahamaland.  Of course, traveling without credit cards isn't easy. But, walking around with $600 in your pocket does tend to make one feel like a high roller.

Highlight of the trip, finding my new halloween costume.  Not sure I can pull it off as well as this guy.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Yet another first for me in The Bahamas....I've been mugged! After returning home Friday night from a Salsa Club & Casino, I was greeted at the car door by a young man looking for a hand out. Only this wasn't the type of hand out I am used to after 2 years of working for The Salvation Army.

30 seconds and one purse later, we were en route to the police station (thankfully I wasn't alone during this little adventure). Unfortunately my digital camera was in the bag (which contains all of my Bahamas/Turks pictures that I have not uploaded), my phone, all my credit cards and my driver's license. Of course, everything is replaceable, except the pictures, so I am trying to stay positive about the whole thing. As I told my friend Lesa, "it was as good as a mugging could be."


I am now looking forward to carrying way too much cash with me on my trip to Chicago this weekend. Note to self: always keep at least one credit card hidden away someplace safe, like the freezer. Let's hope lightening doesn't strike twice...

Turks & Caicos Pt. 1- THE BAD

The local grocery store had the roof almost completely torn off.

Piles of mangled steel, wood, appliances an other household items littered the entire island.  Keep in mind 3 weeks of clean up had already taken place by the time I took these pictures.

More destroyed houses.  Some areas on the island were luckier than others, but this was pretty typical.

The following is an excerpt from a press release I wrote after a  trip this past week to the Turks and Caicos Islands.  For those of you who don't know, Grand Turk was hit hard by Hurricane Ike.  The pictures explain more than I can.

Although it has been more than three weeks since the storm touched down, Grand Turk is still without power and many still do not have adequate shelter.  Almost every building on the island was damaged in the storm, many with roofs partially or completely torn off.  ReD X's mark buildings past repair, which are now set to be bulldozed in the days ahead.  Most of these belong to Haitian refugees, further complicating their situations.  Tents scatter the landscape in areas where buildings are no longer inhabitable.

More pictures and info on this to come.

Numero Uno

So much to say, and so little desire to type it all!  I've been in Nassau for 3 weeks now.  Assimilating to the climate, culture, food and driving laws.   The first week was definitely harder than I thought it would be.  I didn't realize how addicted to communication I was until picking up a cell phone or getting online wasn't an option.  

I am beginning to meet people and have started exploring other parts of the island.  For awhile my life consisted of apartment, work, gym, grocery store, apartment.  Now there is a bar/casino/restaurant/resort mixed in there every few days.  

No pictures yet, as I left my camera cord in Tucson by mistake.  Dad sent it by mule 3 weeks ago, so hopefully I will have visuals up by March or April.  

More to come later,  just didn't want to put this off any longer.