Just to let everyone know, I made it to Grenada! Didn't look like I would — my trip started off yesterday morning with me almost not getting up for the plane. For the third time this summer, I set my alarm clock wrong. This time I did not mix up am and pm (which is slightly understandable), but I just set it for an hour after I was supposed to get up. (not understandable.) Anyways, made it to the airport on time, checked in, and even made it through security without having to take my shoes off and undergo a cavity search. (I don't know, happens to me every time - I must look like a terrorist.)

So the flights went ok… Actually coming into Philadelphia, we were put into a "holding pattern" for 30 or so minutes. I had to run to my next flight, and made it with only minutes to spare. On the 4 1/2 hour Phil –> Grenada flight, we were offered a snack. In the era of airline cutbacks, this consisted of a bagel and a packet of cream cheese. The knife was even downsized to a little 1/2inch plastic stick — which was smaller than my finger. I should have just used my finger to spread the cream cheese - it got all over my fingers anyway.
Grenada must have gotten more touristy since my last visit, because this time, they had people handing out free alcohol (rum and local beer) and a couple of guys were singing songs about the beauty of the island. They didn't upgrade immigration though- they were slow as ever… Made it through to the baggage carousel, and found that one of my two suitcases had made it… I guess I should be happy about that, since they didn't loose both of them. After picking up my luggage, with high hopes of not getting stopped, I headed for the "green" (nothing to declare) customs lane. The customs officer just asked what was in my duffel bag, I said "scuba gear," and with that he motioned for me to move on. Amazing. He didn't even ask to see my computer or my receipt that I had already paid the duty on it. Usually they direct anyone looking like a med student to the red line, so they can collect their money for the 5% "computer tax."
After that, I waded through the 20 guys asking me if I needed a taxi to the public phone so that I could call the place where I was renting a car from to pick me up. On the way back to the car rental place, I had to stop by the police station to get a "local" driver's license — basically a receipt to show that I paid the Grenadian government. Now that I have had two temporary ones, next time I get a permanent Grenadian driver's license with my picture on it. Woo hoo!
So we got to the car rental place, and the car that I had reserved was broken. (a Toyota Corolla). So they offered my a Helly Hansen version of a Suzuki Samuari jeep. It was a nice car, but the problem was that the handle to open the driver's side door from the inside was broken. They wanted me to roll down the window every time and open the door from the outside and roll the window back up. I wasn't having any of that, so I asked it they had anything else. They offered me another jeep (a two-door Suzuki Grand Vitara.) Everything on this one pretty much works… it only has some minor paint scrapes on it, but no denting to the body. But the brakes work, and so does the a/c, which are the most important things anyways The two-door should get better gas mileage anyways, which is good since gas is around $4/gallon. Oh and it is probabaly good that I got a 4-wheel drive, because it could barely make it up my driveway. (>60 degrees, no kidding) I don't think the Corolla would have made it.
So after picking up the car, I went to my landlord's place to pick up the keys to the apartment. That went relatively smooth, and he came over to show me how everything worked. So far everything does work in the apartment. I will put up pictures of my place, car, etc, as soon as I get my power cord for my laptop. (It was hiding under my desk, and I forgot it at home.)
So this morning I got up, and went on another massive shopping spree. First to the hardware store, to pick up some odds and ends. I even found a 220-V George Forman grill there…. Though it was not Forman-endorsed, it actually came from Germany, and it was the exact same thing. It was a little pricey, but I figure I can sell it to another student when I am done with it. After that, it was off to the supermarket. I seriously haven't spent that much money on food in my life, but it was the initial trip, where I bought things that will last me for months. The next ones shouldn't be so bad. Ooh and new development… they finally have beef. Evidently the mad-cow disease scare is over and they started to import it again. Then it was off to home, so I could put all my groceries away before they melted in the hot Grenadian sun. Had lunch, then went to the scuba shop, to sign up for some diving. (I am here for a week before classes start.) I signed up for my Rescue Diver class, so I can finally be done with that. It should be fun — combining EMS and diving… or as much EMS as I will be getting for the next 4 months.
After the dive shop, I went up to campus to see if I could get my stuff out of storage — but I was told the first RA was arriving on Tuesday, so not until then. So I went up to the computer lab, which is where I am now. That pretty much sums up my day. I'll probably be online again in a couple of days, since tomorrow is a national holiday, and the computer lab will probably be closed. Later all.