Tourist in My Own Country

Photo by: Keiran President

After coming to the United States in August of 2015, I have returned to my home country of St. Lucia on two occasions. The first time, I went back for summer 2016 and then most recently for the winter break of 2017.

It has been over a year and a half between these two visits, which had me somewhat excited but lost when I got there.

It was exciting to see my family and friends again. But what was more exciting was that was most of my friends were also studying abroad and had not returned in over a year as well. This became a big reunion vacation for us all.

The bitter side about this trip was I didn’t remember certain things about home. I had gotten used to the American culture and way of life in the States.

I first encountered this unfamiliarity when I was driving for the first time. In St. Lucia, we go by the English system, where we have right-hand drive vehicles that drive on the left side of the road.

However, me being used to the American driving system, I took a turn and ended up driving on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, nothing was coming in my direction, and I realized what I was doing within a few seconds.

The saying is so true, “You never miss the water till the well run dry.” I was tired of the cold weather, tired of the fast food and being controlled by time. I wanted to be in a cool, calm and collected environment again, where I would be laying in the sand on the beach watching the sunset.

Warm temperatures, home-cooked meals and just relaxing and enjoying time rather than worrying about it.

With this in mind, I decided to be a tourist for my winter break. I went “round the island” as we say, visiting various tourist destinations, attractions and beaches.

View From Top of the Fort

I first started the tourist life by visiting the Pigeon Island National Park, which was once an islet before being artificially connected to the mainland.

This park contains ruins of old war buildings and forts, where the British and French battled 14 times, with each side winning the battle seven times. However, the British won the last of the battles and was deemed a British colony.

View of the Pitons From the Sea

View of Pitons From Land

Steaming Volcano

I took my sightseeing to the south of the island in Soufriere, home of World Heritage Site: Piton Management Area.

This area houses twin Pitons, which are two mountainous volcanic spires and the world’s only drive-in volcano, also known as the Sulphur Springs.

While there, I took a sea bath under one of the Pitons and visited the mud baths at the Sulphur Springs. And, of course, I tried as much as possible to visit the beach as much as I can, because I never know when I will get a chance to visit one next.

Sea Side Lunch

Array of Seafood Platter

This trip taught me to appreciate more what I have . Not only material things but places and people, because you will surely miss these when they are gone.

#ILiveWhereYouVacation