Jump In!
By Sherry Davis Johnson
7 Mar 2008
As soon as I crossed the gangway I felt humidity wash over me followed quickly by a cool sea breeze. Loud music from several sources could be heard and toasted brown faces bobbed with the beat. I felt it creeping over me, too. It was carnival on Dominica. On Dominica, celebrations start early and end late.
When the wind wasn't blowing, the sun stings the skin. We walked toward the crowd in the street. They motioned for us to "jump in"...so we did! It took a few blocks for the others that disembarked the cruise ship,eventually they half-heartedly "jumped-in" danced along the sidewalks.
I love, Dominica. The people were fun and loving to one another. I was impressed by the 96% literacy rate. Laurencin our tour guide said that everyone had food and can eat at your neighbor's home if you are out of food, but the other luxuries were scarce. So in reality, were they really poor? I think not.
We hiked in a rainforest until we reached the source of the water supply for the hydro-electric power plant on the island. I was surprised to see that the water's supply pipe was made of wood. I never saw a drop dripping along the half mile hike on a path that snaked a trail next to the pipe.
We arrived at a swimming hole filled with large river stones and crystal clear water. Nearby were rocks that naturally formed seats perfect for a break. We were surrounded by shade trees under which one could throw back an ice cold Kubuli, the beer made on Dominica, sold with a host of other snacks, right at the swimming hole by the beautiful, quiet lady.
"Jump in" they shouted as I approached the water's edge. "Don't stick your feet in just jump in!" I was beginning the think that those words were often used here on Dominica. I jumped. The water was ICE COLD! I could hardly catch my breath. My husband and Laurencin started swimming upstream through the walls of the Ti Tou Gorge. I followed slowly, hoping to warm to the cold water. It was beautiful. The smooth walls soared fifty feet above to reveal bright, green trees that grew on both sides of the three foot opening to the sky. Laurencin pointed out that "Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed in this gorge.
More comfortably, I swam through the pools and rooms in the gorge until we reached the waterfall. The power and amount of water was astonishing. We climbed a rock and dove into the pool created by the waterfall and floated with the current back to the opening of the gorge. A natural sulfur hot spring fall flowed into the pool outside of the gorge. Nice.
Our trip continued with the hike back to the van and down to the natural hot sulfur spring pools. We floated our cares aches and pains away for half an hour. I noticed that there was no rotten egg odor of sulfur in the air. Was it absorbed by the lush vegetation? Before crossing the gangway, we jumped in again with the carnival for one more dance before we left.
I love Dominica! I had fun. Everyone was friendly, lots of laughter and kind smiles.
