By Caciques Alec and Annie

We began the day with a tiring 8 mile run to Deals Point, the longest distance run-track has accomplished so far. We then headed out for a three-hour research block during which time some our community got stuck in Rocksound due to a faulty van. They had the privilege of spending the entire day in Rocksound, visiting the market and interviewing locals for settlement day. We reunited with the rest of our community for dinner circle before beginning our Saturday night festivities. We started out the night by biking to the beach and watching the sunset as a community. Planning our bonfire and dance party, we eagerly biked back to school. After our long run and day in the field, we changed our mind and watched Blue Crush, a better suited activity after such a long day. The night ended with brownies, providing for a great finish to such an exhausting day.

by Caciques Marco and Caroline V.

As we entered the water at current cut, a beautiful red sun peeked over the horizon in the distance.  The sun watched us, rising higher in the sky as we swam with the current twice, and against the current once.  The sun probably thought we were crazy; it was 6:45 am and we were not only swimming, but practically swimming in place because of the powerful water rushing against us.  As we struggled, we looked across to see someone swimming with no problem at all, passing us all with ease.  Of course, it was Chris Maxey. Continue reading →

by Caciques Emma and Nathan

Today was a Wednesday; everyone enjoyed their break from run/swim track and their sleep-in until eight. After breakfast both caciques went to Human Ecology class, where we saw a film that expressed the lives and struggles of an Eleutheran farmer. After we were debriefed and assigned certain areas to evaluate and investigate, we headed to meet Farmer Symonette and his livestock and plants.  Our first stop was to the goatherds, many of which had just been born a few weeks prior. As we gathered in the goat house we asked questions pertaining to everyday life on the farm and the struggles Symonette faces with the soil, rainfall and financial hardships. Continue reading →

by Caciques Eliza and Nic E.

By the time exploration time rolled around I was exhausted.  After research class, although it was interesting, I was pooped (pun intended… I’m in the biodigestion research group).  It was very tempting to crawl into my top bunk, and even though it would have been a hike I could have slept for almost 2 hours and there was nothing more I wanted to do.  I entered our dorm and along with the usual music being blasted, there were of course a few girls lounging and resting but also a group preparing for some kind of expedition.  I was invited along to explore the Inner Loop; just simply explore maybe get lost or find something new.  Our only intention was to leave campus and take advantage of this free time.  The duty faculty were impressed that we weren’t just heading to the Marina store.  As we started off towards the tamarind tree on our bikes, Continue reading →

By Caciques Emily and Adam

Exactly one month ago, a group of friendly strangers sat on the thick wood benches of the boat house, their shoulders touching each other’s in an awkward fashion. The sky was almost black and the only sound was of a pen on paper. The sound of uncomfortable thoughts, pouring into an open book.

Once again, we met in the boathouse 4 weeks later, our pens moving slowly across the thin white paper of our place-books. But this time, we weren’t writing about how awkward we felt around each other. We were writing about why we were there.  We were writing about the new friends we’d made. The 4 and 1/2 mile runs we unwilling completed. The sense of place we were seeking to find. The people on the benches were the same, but their was one thing that was different. We had formed a community. Continue reading →