Farewell Candas and Alastair
on George Hamilton (Jamaica), 20/Jan/2011 13:10, 34 days ago
Sadly I missed the farewell dinner for Candas and Alastair as I sat holed up in my hotel room in MoBay after missing my bus connection to Kingston. But I hear Candas's speech at dinner was superb and as it turns out we got to see them one last time yesterday evening to wish them a safe journey home.Candas and Alastair were our neighbours who we shared numerous cabs with over the last 10 months. It was on one of these trips that Alastair asked Ricky for his phone number so that we could call him when we needed a cab. Ricky is now our main driver and many of the volunteers use him as well - he's the best!On our very first day in Jamaica they walked with us over to the shops and showed us our grocery store options, which were the best oranges to buy and how to cross the busy streets safely. They told us about Devon House ice cream which was so good the first time they tried it, they went right back into the shop and bought seconds. We went on numerous long weekend trips with them and the other volunteers. On Easter weekend, our second weekend in Jamaica, they introduced us to our favourite guest house, Ital Rest. We love the atmosphere and the private beach prompting us to stay there twice since, as well as, make reservations for 5 days in a few weeks time.As well as going on weekend trips, we congregated with Laura at Alastair and Candas's house once a week all summer long to learn Spanish from our impressive teachers, Robert and Dominic. I wish I could remember more of what I learned but I'm sure if I'm ever in a Spanish speaking country I'll feel a lot more comfortable with the language.Candas and Alastair had lots of adventures even inside their apartment. We first learned about the water shortage from them as they scooped buckets of water from their apartment complex swimming pool to flush the toilet every day. It wasn't long before we moved into the area and discovered the same water shortage problem...only we didn't have a swimming pool! Our luck was in the fact we lived across the street from the shopping mall and could bring home bottled water easily. But best of all we had a garden tap which was reliable most of the time - it did run out eventually as well. But no one could match the bee story. They woke up in the morning and came home from work to find honey dripping from their ceiling - they had a bees nest inside their apartment which took weeks to exterminate. Everyone felt for them but were very glad it didn't happen to them.We'll definitely miss their excellent cooking and hospitality as well as all those cab rides. Take care Alastair and Candas. Have fun in Costa Rica. It's been a wonderful year with many warm memories.Candas and Alastair meeting the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Sen. Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne and Donna Parchment Brown, CEO, Dispute Resolution Foundation. in Spanish Town last April.