Montserrat Public Library, Montseraat, West Indies
When traveling, one never knows what to expect! I have learned that on my first leg of the Storytime Yoga Children’s Mission here in Montserrat.
The public library is very tiny and has some books, a decent kids section, and a large Bible section. Turns out my contact I had for the library had quit! And the new librarian was on vacation, so even though the doors were open, nobody was in charge! I made a donation of my books: Storytime Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Children Through Story, and The Treasure in Your Heart: Yoga and Stories for Peaceful Children, as well as the Peddler’s Dream DVD. I imagine it will sit right next to the “Bibleman” DVD for kids on the shelf. You never know!
But I believe in donating to libraries, as they are the foundation of our democracy as halls of learning and public gathering. The library has an operating budget of about $25 US a year! Not much at all! So donating is a joy. We dropped off some books we had finished reading too.
I have enjoyed my time here in Montserrat. It’s a lovely island. We toured the ruins of Plymouth, which was destroyed by the Soufriere Hills Volcano in 1997. It looked like an A-bomb went off!
Ruins of Plymouth, Montserrat and the Soufriere Hills Volcano that wiped it out.
We visited the Volcano Observatory for the best science field trip of a lifetime. It’s in direct view of the volcano, and the kids learned all about earth science through an amazing film. Nature is incredible, and you can’t help but feeling next to God when you are next to a volcano!
People are very friendly here, and it’s not developed at all like other Caribbean countries. The vegetation is thick and mangos, papayas, coconuts and other exotic fruits just drip off the trees.
My kids got their first taste of yoga homeschooling. They have been keeping journals and blogs, and learning along the way. They have been changing their diet radically, eating locally and healthy. We learned that this island could use geo-thermal technology for its energy needs, however, sadly, government greed prevents it from happening, and wants to get the island into $30 million of debt to fund a diesel plant!
At any rate, Montserrat is lovely, except for a NASTY jellyfish sting I got, I loved it! Especially the fact that you are surrounded by nature. I love hearing the drop of a coconut, the brilliant stars at night shining through the blackness, the soft breeze and water, the myriad sounds of birds, and the night music of tree frogs and crickets.
Colorful building in Montserrat, West Indies
I look forward to returning. (I drank from the pure water from Runaway Ghaut, which guarantees your return!) It will be a refuge from the big city of Buenos Aires where I head to next with the kids. We’ll be setting down there for school, and I’ll be working the Storytime Yoga Children’s Mission in Spanish with various groups. Stay tuned!
Beautiful sunset on Montserrat, West Indies
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
If you are willing to speak with me more about your experience I would greatly appreciate it. I am trying to gain understanding to what the needs of the Island are so that when my son and i relocate we can not only enjoy the island but contribute. By the year end I will have my Bachelors in Relgious studies and I am trying to determine the best minor for what aid is needed there. My email is above and my name on skype is mrh love.
Blessings
Mrh
We can be negative and cynical or we can be charged and hot wired to find a way through it over it around it under it.