Coconut Cheese

Yesterday my team and I had our first experience with the production of coconut cheese. We were shown by a local couple who sell the cheese the process of how to make it, but I am not at liberty to disclose their trade secrets. However, the end product was nothing short of amazing, as each square that came out proved to be more delicious than the next. So if you ever come across a seller of authentic Dominican coconut cheese, you better clear out your savings account and buy as much cheese as you can buy, as it will most likely be one of the greatest investments of your life!

After we made the cheese, Shirley drove us to Scott's Head, the southernmost point on the island where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Once there, we explored the rocky shoreline and waded into the sea (taking extra care not to step on the numerous sea urchins). There are several reefs at Scotts Head that are ideal for snorkeling, but we arrived too late to have enough time in the water. So instead of snorkeling, we decided to hike up the Scott's Head hill, and then explore parts of the local town of Soulfre. In Soulfre, we entered into the second oldest church on the island. The walls were made of thick stone in order to survive the tropical storms that have attempted to level the structure over the centuries that it has stood. The insides were painted vividly, with antique paintings hanging beside the stained glass windows. Narrow spiral stone staircases lead to the upper balcony on both sides of the church, leaving no wiggle room between me and the walls. As someone who typically does not get claustrophobic, I found my self at points feeling cramped between the walls, as my mind wondered how much skinnier than me the Frenchmen who built this fortress of a church were. Once on the balcony, I wandered into the bell tower room, and admired the lovely stained glass. Eye popping oranges and yellow shadows decorated the cobblestone walls, as a lone weathered rope hung ominously from the bell overhead. We plan to go back to Soulfre to snorkel and bathe in some of the sulfer hot springs that have made the town a perfect place for relaxing.

A view of the Church

Tight Spiral Staircase, Michael For Scale

Inside The Church's Spire and Belltower

Sitting on the Hill of Scott's Head

Walking The Hill of Scott's Head

Today, we woke up bright and early and ate breakfast in a restaurant that dated back to the 1860's. The food was delicious, and we then proceeded to a press conference that was being held on our behalf. The press was interested on the work my team and I are doing with the cottage industries of coconut oil and coconut cheese. A "cottage industry" simply refers to a very small industry on the island, as much of the work is done at home in peoples cottages. We explained our goals that we wish to accomplish over the next 10 weeks, and our hope to industrialize the coconut cheese making on the island. The press expressed concerns about the diabetes problems on the island, and was curious as to why the government was helping create an industry around a coconut candy. However, much like alcohol, sugar can be consumed in moderation, and it is deemed that coconut cheese can be consumed responsibly (because we all know the "please drink responsibly" at the end of advertisements really prevents drunken mistakes). Despite this, by industrializing the process, Dominica will be able to export it's confectionery product. Therefore, the product will no longer be the islands problem, but rather the worlds, and may god have mercy on our thighs once coconut cheese hits the world market, as it is simply delectable. Our meeting with the press was featured on the nations national news station at 8:00 this evening, and we are already being asked to go on a separate talk radio show.  So it looks like I can no longer hide behind my stereotypical quiet engineer stereotype, as I will be in the eyes of the nation for the remainder of my time here. Here is a link to the island's newspaper that also featured us in their 

report! http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/business/efforts-to-revive-coconut-industry-in-dominica/

US ON THE NATIONAL NEWS!!!

After the press conference, we met with a peace core officer who had lived on the island for 2.5 years. She is leaving Monday, and wanted to give us advice on how to make the most of the island during our 10 week endeavor. We ate at our current favorite restaurant in Roseau, and then proceeded to go to our office and work on some details of our coconut cheese assignment. 

One interesting thing to note on the island is how much value people can place on the little things that in America we would take for granted. My host mom has recently obtained a new kitchen pot that looks straight out of Eric Formans Mom's Kitchen. It's a stereotypical 1970's stovetop pot with flowers on the sides. While many would see it as a normal semi-antique pot, she sees it as beautiful piece of cookware that will help with cooking in a kitchen with limited utensils. She also obtained an old coffee table from one of her siblings, which she was super excited to have, as now we have a place to sit outside. It is examples like these that help solidify how important it is to be thankful for what you have, and to help give others in different scenarios access to some of the basic luxuries we as Americans take for granted on a daily basis.

A view from our new outdoor Table

When we returned, we decided to go for a little hike around the village. Our destination was a place known as the "retreat house," which resides on an old estate that used to encompass nearly the entire village of Eggleston. However, when the estate owner died a few decades ago, he donated the some of the land and houses to the Catholic Church, and the area now serves as a garden and retreat house for people to spend the night. Our walk took us roughly an hour there and back, as we stopped to admire the beautiful and unique foliage of the island, and stop at every mango tree along the way. There is a local watering hole, where drinkable cool river water runs out of a pipe in the mountain wall. We hope to make this a daily morning walk, and I will add more photographs of it when I have them. We ended up getting back to our house right as the sun was dipping beneath the sea, and the sky was turning dark. Overall, it was a very pleasant and adventurous day.

A view of the clouds from our walk ( sea on far right of picture)

If anyone wishes to comment on my blog, you can do so as Anonymous by clicking under the post where it says "x# of comments." Doing this will bring you to the comment form. I would love to hear what you guys have to say about my travels!

Stay cool, 

(because with this sun I know I sure won't be)

Michael