Brilliant & Beautiful

Brilliant and beautiful, two words that very appropriately sum up my seven months in Montserrat. And this is it - my final post here on this blog which I first started 224 days ago when I was fresh off the boat in that beautiful, tropical paradise. I would like to thank a few certain individuals in particular who have been immensely helpful whilst I was there and would like to pay tribute for without their help, my job would have been made much more immensely difficult.

First, Herman "Cupid" Francis is truly the epitome of the Montserrtain spirit - he grew up there and has stuck with Monty all through the various Soufrière eruptions, and now is a vital member in the community who is continually enthusiastic, helpful and loyal. As Director of Culture, he has a massive responsibility in making sure the arts and culture of Montserrat continues to thrive from strength to strength, and also ensures that tourism continues to flourish. Thank you for your help in getting me settled in, in helping to move things along and for helping to get organised when I first stepped off the plane without any much of a clue as to what to do.

Next, I would like to thank the governor of Montserrat and his wife, Adrian & Sujue Davis, for always being such welcoming hosts. If the spirit of Montserrat could be condensed into a brick-and-mortar household, it would be yours - endearing, generous and warm. Thank you for all your help, especially in planning the diamond jubilee recital. Sujue - I will always fondly remember your cooking (and wonder when might be the next chance I get to taste it)!

To everyone whom I met on Montserrat, thank you for showing me such a wonderful time - you have made it essentially a wonderful 7-month working holiday for me. Jo & I would also like to thank everyone who come to our informal wedding reception at the Royal Palm Club. It has been absolutely wonderful to get to know all of you and we hope to see you again soon at some point!

And finally, thanks to Sir George & Lady Judy Martin, Gordon Young and Clare Catchpole for essentially making it happen. Nothing would have even gotten off the ground if not for all the support, belief and conviction towards this inspiring project. And best wishes to Rebecca - I'm starting to get a bit envious of the wonderful year which I'm certain is lying ahead of you! And thanks to all my blog readers whom I hope have managed to enthral and entertain in some small way or another - I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I have been writing it. Here's till the next time I find myself on the Emerald Isle!

Centenarians & Reports

I finally had the chance today to get my hands on a copy of the Montserrat Reporter, which had a two-page spread about the jubilee celebrations as well as an entire page dedicated to photos from the recital. An online version of this article can be found here.

Yesterday was what I would expect to be my last pan gig with Volpanics. Cupid called me up at lunchtime yesterday asking if I would be able to play at a centenarian's birthday party. It was a really nice, familial reception of relatives and close friends (which you would certainly accrue after 100 years!) and the governor Adrian was there to present the queen's birthday card.

According to Adrian, this was his 6th 100-year-old party he's attended in Montserrat since he took office slightly over a year ago. Not too bad, if you consider this island's population of only about 4,800.

Performing at the Lookout Community Centre.

Another stunning Montserratian sunset.

Graduation at MSS takes place on next Wednesday, and the principal has requested for the Montserrat Youth Choir to perform. Looks like I'll be kept busy to the very end! Certainly looking forward to it though.

Antigua & Mini-planes

So, here we go. Day 1 on this tropical paradise isle that is Montserrat. Well, I say paradise - that's from what I've seen so far when the Britten-Norman Islander I was in flew above Montserrat as it approached landing. The day started early yesterday with a delayed & packed flight to Antigua from London Gatwick, brought on by terrible gales lashing the runway. By then I was quite grateful to be leaving such foul weather to sunnier lands.

After a very quick & hectic layover in Antigua, I found myself onboard a six-seater Islander aircraft - the only type of aircraft that FlyMontserrat operates - heading towards the Emerald Isle, pop. 4,822, along with three other fellow passengers. Whilst en-route I got to know another passenger who was also starting a new job in Montserrat - the new customs head, who himself also travelled from London. There was indeed a moment of hilarity which ensued when he, having arrived without making himself known to customs that he was their new boss, was asked to step behind the yellow line and wait his turn.

There are currently only two ways to get to and from Montserrat. The first is either a 40-minute long ferry ride or a 20-minute long flight, both from Antigua. Montserrat's former airport, along with the former capital Plymouth, were destroyed in the 1997 eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano. For several years afterwards, Montserrat had been only accessible by helicopters or boats until July 2005 when the new John A. Osborne Airport was completed on the north end of the island, prompting flight services to resume.

The pilot & stewardess. Talk about cosy.

Upon landing, I was picked up by representatives from Montserrat Enterprises, then driven to the police station to obtain my local temporary driver's license before being shown to my accommodation. For the next seven-months I'll be put up in the lower half of a colonial-era styled house which has been divided into two apartments, one on the ground floor and the other on the first. I still have yet to meet my neighbour(s), but let's hope they weren't too put off with me blasting the local radio belting out hits from Enrique Igleasis and Westlife (I like this place already!) whilst I was doing my unpacking.

Day One has thus kicked off in the most relaxed manner possible. Last night I sent out a deluge of emails checking-in with the various powers-that-be that I would be working with, but I still have yet to get any response regarding official meetings or school tours. Perhaps I'm just still stuck in hectic big city mode and need to take time to calm down and adapt to the Montserratian way of life.

I have been invited to dinner with the governor of Montserrat, Sir George Martin and their respective families tomorrow. Time to start all that ironing!