When we first stepped off the plane in Grenada, I could immediately tell that we were not in the United States anymore. The warm, inviting Caribbean air welcomed my classmates and I as we waited outside to be picked up and taken to Groom's Beach Resort for the week. We received welcoming hugs from Ms. Ann Hopkins and Ms. Simon, who would be joining us for our in-country experiences. After getting hugs from Ms. Hopkins and Ms. Simon, we all quickly learned that this was a common way for the Grenadian people to greet you and show gratitude. This is not as common of a practice in the United States, but I personally enjoyed the affectionate greetings from everyone that we met.
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Our first day, our plan was to go do home visits in an area called Saint Marks. To start the day we planned to have breakfast at 7 am and leave by 8am to get out to the home visits in a timely manner. We ended up starting breakfast at 730 and not leaving right on time at 8, which was a foreshadowing of the whole trips timeliness. Throughout our stay, meeting times were not strictly upheld and sometimes we arrived later than planned. It was never seen as a problem though and I think that this goes along with their laid back and non-rushed way of life. Back in the US, meeting times are adhered to in a much stricter manner and it is usually problematic to be late. This was not the case in Grenada, we always made our best efforts to be on time, but if we were not it was not a huge problem and we always enjoyed the journey on the way.
As we traveled throughout the country, everywhere that we went we were met with pure joy and friendliness. Just driving through the streets looking out the window I was always met with an excited smile and wave from anyone that we drove past. This openness and friendliness made me feel so welcomed in a foreign country and it has inspired me to bring that same mentality back with me from the trip.
The food was another change that I was faced with. I enjoyed trying the different varieties of food that were prepared for us during our stay. I also thoroughly enjoyed one of the country’s main exports, cinnamon, in ice cream form.