Union Island is a very interesting place and so were the 17 of us who traveled out here. The days were filled with diving in the morning and lots of free time for assignments and adventures in the afternoon. We all quickly became very close as our days were filled with one another. Each of us have very similar interests, and we have been able to learn so much through each other. For myself, I am so busy with my studies during the school year that I never stop to spend quality time with friends. This class was work, but we were all in it together. I found enjoyment in studying with these new friends. After the quizzes were over, I found myself able to finally relax during the afternoons and go explore with people who have the same interests as me. I was very fortunate to have such a diverse and fun group to explore the island with. In the afternoons, we explored the beaches, rock climbed on mountains, jumped off bridges, and so much more. In doing so, I created so many new bonds and learned more about myself too. I am honestly so thankful for this, and I am praying these new relationships survive within the real world.
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Union Island, a small island located in the grenadines, houses around 3000 people and a myriad of animals. On Union many animals, like dogs and cats, are malnourished and struggling out on the streets. The Salty Girl, a popular restaurant and local non-profit organization, runs a small shelter called Salty Paws. They take in over “30 animals” that are found in rough shape, nurse them back to health, spay and neuter, then find a safe and loving home for them. Zoe, owner of the Salty Girl, also runs Salty Paws which has caretakers that supports the animals while they are looking for homes. There are no veterinarians on Union Island so when veterinarians are flown out, the shelter holds the spay and neuter clinics.
Link to Salty Paws webpage: https://www.saltypawsrescue.com/ At Union Island, there are a plethora of restaurants to experience the taste of the Grenadines! Our group of 17 students and the instructors explored different restaurants in Union Island for dinner including Jus Rite, D’ Back Yard Lounge, Chanteclair Cuisine, The Clifton Restaurant & Bar, and more. The restaurants had rows of tables and thoughtful set-ups. The food was absolutely amazing and consisted mostly of barbeque chicken legs, seasoned potatoes, salads, and pastas. However, some wanted something different and one night everyone found out we were having burgers and fries for dinner and the whole room was ecstatic!
Overall, the cultural food experience was wonderful and demonstrated a different viewpoint of what there is to enjoy. Not only were the people nice, but they cared about the different restrictions that we had in our diets while still providing nutritious food. This experience also helped people get out of their comfort zones which can be crucial in unfamiliar situations. Many of the foods were new to us, but accepting how the Grenadines or any culture lives is important to understanding why people do the things they do. One of the most rewarding lessons I learned during my stay at Union Island was the joy in simplicity. This trip abroad really opened my horizons to a culture that is slower paced, relaxed, and welcoming despite having much less regarding prominent “necessities” highlighted in American culture. There was scarce fresh drinking water, no water heaters, no AC or electricity in most buildings in town, and no phones in sight. Yet, I have experienced the most joy in my life on this island than anywhere I’ve traveled in America. I have learned that the rush and stimulation of American culture dulls some of the simplest joys life has to offer. Sharing a meal with friends, swimming in a body of water, touching the fresh fruit on the hot streets, petting loyal street dogs, and climbing a mountain barefoot are experiences that would have been tainted by the overrun beauty of American idealism. I am so grateful for my new perspective and desire to take things easy when I get home. I know I will miss how fun it is to rely on my senses for personal happiness rather than the culture around me, but am glad to take home the simple joys that carried me through this experience.
Union Island is a small island, 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its highest ground level, Mount Taboi, is 999ft above sea level. While walking around the island, there were a bunch of large rocks surrounding the shores. Some of the rocks were dark grey from the water, while others were reddish brown or light tan from the sun. I would occasionally see crabs or other small invertebrates on the rocks by the shore while walking past. Around the second day of arrival, I decided to climb some rocks at the lookout point by the airport and fell down, injuring my legs and hand. The rocks there crumbled easily and were very sharp, probably due to the waves crashing on them and the gusts of wind. The path to the lookout point was also alongside the ocean crashing, so I had to be very careful when climbing the rocks there. A couple of days later, I came across a small stream with rocks along both sides. Attempting to make it across and catch up with the group, I slipped and fell again, injuring my foot. The rocks along the stream would move very easily when I put my foot on them because the stream water would push underneath and through the rocks. One day, we went hiking up a mountain and I encountered a lot more rocks to climb. It had rained that morning, so a lot of the rocks were slippery. Luckily, I had a park ranger with me to assist with my rock climbing. There was a small cavern-like structure with layers of sedimentation. I found that place really interesting because you could see each layer. Union Island rocks are super cool to explore, however, I would advise wearing close-toed shoes and long pants (to avoid scrapes from possible falls) when doing so.
Union Island’s coral reefs are a type of reef that I never believed that I would have the opportunity see and experience. They are traditional Caribbean coral reefs, but they were not like the Florida Key’s reefs at all – they felt way more alive. The beauty of the reef was breathtaking during my first dive here, and it continued to be breathtaking for the next two weeks. Every time I back-rolled off the boat and into the waters surrounding Union, I was excited for what I was see and experience that day on the reef. The ecosystems that surround this island are amazing extensive and beautiful. The abundance and diversity of fish and coral species is unlike anything I have ever seen. I have never seen more types of parrotfish in one place – and being here proved to me that they are my favorites to see. On the reefs, we also encountered eagle rays, nurse sharks, and even a few species of sea turtles. The experience of diving on these reefs for two weeks has helped my passion for preserving and protecting these ecosystems grow more than I could’ve ever imagined. The pictures attached are just a few of my favorites that I was able to capture these last two weeks. Overall, I am overjoyed with the opportunity that I had here on Union Island and getting to dive in their reefs
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AuthorsThe authors of this blog are students enrolled in Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation, field courses run in the Caribbean by the University of South Florida. During these courses, students learn scientific diving techniques over a 10-14 day period and carry out research and monitoring of coral reefs at various sites. Many of these courses are done in partnership with local environmental organizations, like the Union Island Environmental Alliance and the Soufriere Marine Management Association. In this blog, students will document their activities and how they relate to course material. Archives
June 2023
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