Apt. Searching

Thursday and Friday, May 28-29

After booting around Latin America most of Wednesday, I took a propeller plane that evening and hopped empires over to the British side of things. After getting hassled by an overzealous immigration officer, I booked a room in a guest house near the airport where I spent the next few days. It was quiet but expensive, and the proprietors were about the least friendly Bajans I’ve met so far. It was also an hour by bus from where I’ll be working. Not good. So, Thursday I set off early to learn the bus system, find the University, and more permanent arrangements. Once on campus I met a nice young gal who was studying math and econ, and who walked me to the student services building, she thinking I might have some luck there. Those people in turn referred me to a Mr. Orlando in the administration building, whom I then visited in his office, and who gave me several numbers of individuals in the area with places to rent.
One of those numbers eventually netted me this nifty one bedroom:

Stairs leading to front door

Front Area (With a TV which gets Barbados' only channel!)

Kitchen

View from Kitchen Table

Bedroom

It’s pretty awesome. About 10 minutes from the Archives, it’s in the town of Husbands, a middle-class suburb of Bridgetown. It’s atop a big hill and is an upper apt so the breeze is intense, which is great. Also a steal at only $425 US a month, which is about 40% of what many of the tourist guesthouse were asking. Only downside is no internet, but whatever. Kinda makes it interesting as I now have to find new ways to pass time at night (see above comment about one TV channel). The place is owned by a Ms. Holder, who lives downstairs. She’s actually an ex-pat in her 50s from Florida, although she’s been here so long you can’t really tell her apart from the other Bajans: long dress, straw hat, etc. She’s very nice, just remember to call her M’aam and everything will be ok.

Oh, and this was the sunset on my 1st night ;-)