Updated June 2, 2009
See you all soon on island!!!
Every year someone has their luggage go astray. We eventually get it back, but be prepared just in case. Keep essentials with you in your carry-on bag, including a complete change of clothes, your personal medications, and anything you can't do without for a couple of days.
It has been raining every day on Nevis for the past week. It usually lasts less than an hour. Normal for this time of year.
Check with the airline websites to find out luggage weight limits. For international flights it is often only 50 lbs. You also get a carry-on and a small personal bag.
Try to fit in 3-4 plastic coat hangers for your use on Nevis, and 1-3 popular magazines to share in the common room.
Great News!
The Bush Hill Project Field School has just been certified by the Register of Professional Archaeologists. The RPA certification means the field school has been judged to meet high standards in training and ethics and brings added value to the resume of any student participating. When you list the field school on your vitae be sure to state it is RPA Certified.
Most everyone will be flying via St Kitts.Keep an eye out for each other. Carry a few small bills in US currency to cover the cost of taxi from airport to ferry landing, and for tips.
Because we don't provide between-meal snacks you may want to have along extra cash for personal stashes of snacks. Typically students lose from 3-15 lbs during the project.
Tourism on Nevis is way down this year. They are still recovering from Hurricane Omar last October. Actualkly, its the Four Seasons Hotel that is the real problem. They have yet to reopen and becuase the Hotel employs 1/4 of the workforse, and economic downturn has resulted. It is likely that the Internet cafe in Charelstown will also be closed when we get there.
Popular question: Many of yopu have asked how much money to bring. The answer really depends on what you plan to do in your free time. There are no theaters or costly tourit traps and few souveniers to buy, so your money will mainly go toward recreation, bus or ferry rides, snacks, and meals at restaurants if you go out. I usually say $100/week is enough. But some students spend much more, others far less. Here are some costs to consider: To go diving will cost $80 plus gear rental. Busses cost $1.50. You can get a good meal in Charlestown for as little as $6.00 or you can go to Sunshines for dinner at about $25.00. You will pay that just for an appetizer in the fancy places. Drinks are usually $2.00-$4.00, or $14 at Coconut Grove. It all depends where you go. You will need to keep $20.00 saved for the departure tax. Hiking is free. Beach time is free. A great way to spend a Saturday is to travel to St Kitts and go to Brimstone Fort.
Arrival Proceedures June 3-4 Staff arrival. Buy groceries, rent car, open house, locate beds.Prepare linens. June5- 6 Students arrive. Build screens, build tirpods, inventory equipment, make sure there are enough beds. If not, play poker to decide which student does not get a bed. June 7 More students arrive. Day off for crew.June 7 First project day. Learn compass, GPS, stride length, notebook protocol, deliver equipment to the site, set up porta-john. June 8 First day with crew on the site. Our work schedule will be Sn, Mn, Tu, 1/2 Wed, Th, Fr, (Saturday off). But for the first week we will make Wednesday the half day so that everyone has a chance to get to a bank.Project staff has iteneraries for all students and will meet you at the Nevis Airport or Ferry on arrival. If for any reason we are late (on Nevis there are always reasons for us to be late) just relax and wait. We will pick you up sooner or later. If you can't wait, get a taxi to Pond Hill Guest House. Link to Ferry Schedule For those of you arriving through St Kitts:
If you have time before catching the ferry (except on Saturday) you might consider using the bank on St Kitts to exchange your money. However, they usually close at 2:00 on Fridays. You can always use an ATM to get cash (small fee).
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| If for some reason you can't get a ferry or arrive to late for a ferry, call us. Pictured above is a view from the deck of a hotel on the waterfront you can stay at (if they have rooms available). I have stayed on several occasions--nothing fancy--but relatively cheap and convenient. You can see the St Kitts Ferry at dock in the distance. |
Suggestions from past crew members:A few members of past crews wanted to pass along some tips. 1. Bring a dozen clothes pins for your laundry and three or four plastic coat hangers. You can leave these behind at the end of the project. 2. Carry your money in travlers checks, but have at least $50 cash. It will be a few days before you can get to a bank. Also, bring small bills. You should tip any baggage handlers or taxi drivers on the island $1.00 per bag. This is easy if you carry a few singles. You may also want money for meals along the way. 3. Put medicines, toothbrush/paste and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.4. Digital cameras are good. 5. As you enter the Caribbean you will be on "Caribbean time," which means slow down. Don't become frustrated by delays. 6. Flights from San Juan to Nevis are often on small planes with limited or no overhead compartments, you may find the airline personnel will ask you to surrender your carry-on bag to be put in the cargo hold for that stretch of your journey. 7. Blow driers are a waste of time and luggage space.8. Always be polite. Nevisians respond to this well.9. If weight is a problem, remember you can get all toiletries on the island so leave 'em behind.10. Overnight flights are very exhausting. Drink lots of water. Remember: NEVER PUT YOUR TROWEL IN CARRY-ON LUGGAGE!
How to contact Dr. Meniketti between June 5-7 Use Base Phone number. This number will be provided before you travel. For example: you discover your flight has a last minute schedule change affecting your arrival time. Send the info to the address given here. The meaasge will get forwarded to me. Contact number Refer to your project packet. We do not advertise it on the website. CDC warnings
None for Nevis at this time. CDC link.
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Check on your flights at least two days in advance Hurricane season officially begins today. Don't worry. The worst months are: 1st September, 2nd October, 3rd August. We will get mild rain, but don't bother to bring any rain gear. Don't forget your trowel, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Put these in your checked lugguge! The word from Nevis is that sand is returning tp Pinney Beach. Sunshine's is still operating and several new beach bars have sprung up near Sunshine's adding competition for the shrinking tourist dollar. The Hamilton Museum is now offering wireless connections to members at small fee. We may be able to work a deal if need be. But I generally recommend you leave your laptop at home. Try being disconnected for three weeks. Passports The project will be joined by two visiting scholars sponsored by the Institute. Dr. Yamuna Sangarasivam (Nazarth College)and doctoral student Diana Gonzalez (Florida)will be part of our team. Both of our volunteers are cultural anthropologsists who will share their work with us during our regulraly scheduled informal lecture sessions. Pack light. Try to get everything into one bag. Your small daybag which you will use everyday on the project can also be worn on the flight as a carry on. And remember to bring a small flashlight for the frequent power outages. Bring a dozen clothes pins for your laundry and three or four plastic coat hangers. You can leave these behind at the end of the project. The metal ones rust in the humid air. June 1 Weather on Nevis today: 87 degrees, strong breeze. Humid as usual. Bring along two or three magazines to share in the common room. You can leave these behind.
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