The trans-Caela express

I headed back stateside last week to attend a conference in New Orleans- the American Anthropology Association annual conference- I had a wonderful time with great talks and lots of hanging out with so many people I've been missing! I even got to have a late night breakfast with my cousin Paul who lives in NOLA. Aside from my lack of interest in food since leaving the Big Easy, it was a very successful and enjoyable trip!

Before I left St. Lucia, the word spread among the folks that I see here on a daily basis and they accordingly started making requests for items that they would like me to bring back from the states. The following is an incomplete list of items that I have been asked to return with: 
 
Brita water filter refill pack
Toiletries (shampoo is ridiculous expensive here)
External hard drive enclosure
Cord to connect a computer to a TV
Cell phone- quad band, unlocked, flip phone for under $50 bucks
Ink Cartridges for a an HP printer Large cotton underwear (3 back)- the kind to "cover your boobli in full" (motions hands over rump)
Green capri pants size 16 (like the kind I own and that I bought in 2002, thanks for the compliment, but no idea where to find them)
White shirt loose fitting, size large
Voice recorder, digital, "just like yours"

These items are all for folks who want to buy the items, and they are just a lot cheaper in the US then in St. Lucia. Though I was unsuccessful in procuring a few of them, their new owners should be happy in general.


In a completely different vain of carrying goods- my friend Beth organized a supply drive to collect items and donations for relief for those hit hardest by hurricane Tomas. I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Beth, and to all of the wonderful people who donated, sending me staggering back to St. Lucia with 2 giant bags of supplies- exactly 100lbs of luggage!


I have received some questions about the supplies and need down here, and for those of you who missed this round, but would like to do something, contact me- Julianna will be visiting in mid-December. Schools finally reopened here on Monday, and school supplies are topping the donations list this week. 


I flew back to St. Lucia yesterday and made a fairly uneventful (and free!!!) trip across the island thanks to rides from a friend of a friend, a friend and the guy who I'm getting the car from. Today is Thanksgiving in the states, and I am so, so thankful to have the family and friends I missing today!