The Training Center in Barbados.
March 13th, 1973 we all reported to Miami for a few days to receive a first round of shots and interviews.
Then we boarded a plane, were fed steak and wine on the flight,(or so I remember), and headed to Barbados.
We were the 13th Group of volunteers assigned to the Eastern Carribean islands.
A this training center, we were given more shots and got to know all of the Eastern Carribean Voluteers.
This was our new family.
We stayed with Barbados families for the week or so, while it was decided who was assigned to which island. During this week - or was it two? - we formed bonds of friendship that carried with us to our assignments to different islands. This provided a base for us to travel to visit friends.
Every island was so different, they told us. And so true it was.
There were 5 of us assigned to St. Lucia that stayed the 2 plus years.
My First Wash - hm.. no washing machines here!
I remember waking up the first morning at 4:00 am to the 'radio' .. speaker was high on the wall ...broadcast to all... also the roosters crowing.
My first encounter ever with a cockroach was on a roll of toilet paper... in the outhouse right in back of me ...
We had to take as stick with us to beat off the chickens/rooster on our venture to the outhouse.
And not to forget our lovely Sunday dinner of chicken and dumplings.. with the surviving chickens hopping
into and roaming about the house as we were eating.
Dennis Allen, also a St. Lucian Volunteer - on a return trip to Barbados.