My room air-conditioner is very loud, blocking out almost every other sound when it’s on. There’s a good-sized black dog on the roof of a house under construction about 100 feet off to the right. Is that the same dog that was barking loudly last night (not even the air-conditioner and my closed windows could obliterate that bark!)? [As I sit here longer, I see (hear) that the black dog was not the problem . . . the loudly barking dog is in the compound next door, just 20 or 30 feet outside my window, his barks bouncing between the hard exterior surfaces of the house and a wall.]

Basically, I like my room. I was not so pleased with the first one the Mr. Johnson showed me last night (the $25 room). It was smaller and, more to the point, smelled as if a heavy smoker had last occupied it. So, instead, I got this better second floor room (no cigarette residue here) for $30 a night. Btw, the $30 includes the tax (not bad)! Also, breakfast is included. Mr. Johnson says the guesthouse is about half-full . . . I would guess there might be 10 guest rooms here, plus the Johnson residence.

As for the airport last night, I didn’t quite make it all the way through by 10 PM. When I exited Customs, I found my driver (Decoteu) holding a sign with my name. I asked about the price, whether he’d carry me for $20 US. He saw that I knew about the 10 PM rule . . . he said it was $30 after 10 and accepted my offer of $25 (noting, as he did, that it was only just past 10). I wondered if the $25 was all inclusive (i.e., whether any tip was expected), but was relieved to be going for $25, which seemed fair enough, plus the driver was a friendly, nice guy . . . we talked quite a bit about the city and his daughter in Washington, DC. I handed him the $25 at our destination and he looked at it for several seconds–I imagined him thinking, “isn’t there going to be a tip,” but I was cheerful in expressing my appreciation and thanks for his services, and he was cheerful & friendly in return. I was left feeling a bit guilty last night about not tipping . . . if, on my return, Decoteu is my taxi driver, I’ll will give him a nice tip.

Last night, I was also troubled that I’d related rather awkwardly, at points, with the proprietor, Mr. Johnson. This is me, and maybe I did prattle a bit or become excessively solicitous, wanting to “establish a positive relationship.” In any event, Mr. Johnson was fully cordially friendly throughout. In short, my concerns about Mr. Johnson as a host were not realized. If I had any sense, and the ability, I’d put this all behind me, adopt the reputedly laidback style of the Island, and go down to enjoy breakfast.

10:55AM

The guesthouse breakfast was ok–scrambled eggs, ‘chicken sausage’ (like a hot dog), and plenty of good, toasted bread (with Guava jam). Further, there was some excellent, chilled passion fruit juice. I like the staff here . . . the woman who prepared & served my breakfast–she has such a nice, genuine, full-lipped, welcoming smile & is maybe a little bit shy (as for me, I’m definitely shy). Mr. Johnson checked in to see how things were going during breakfast.

After breakfast, I changed money at the bank–6 TT dollars to 1 US dollar. The bank was classy and the staff attentive and friendly . . . there actually seemed to be someone at the door to greet/direct me (in addition to the guard). From the bank, I was off to explore the town but was uncomfortable, realizing I was carrying all my cash, credit cards, and traveler’s checks in my wallet. I decided to hide some of it in my room, so headed back (which is how I happen to be here now to write this).

Wednesday afternoon:

I (finally) got out and took the stroll I’d planned. The sun & its heat turned out not to be so much of a problem, primarily because there was a fresh breeze blowing throughout the day. I headed north from my place at 16 Buller, essentially walking around the perimeter of the Queen’s Park Savannah, then back south to the downtown (POS), then back home. In the course of this journey, I met a couple of characters, much enjoyed the Botanical Gardens, and, for the first time, got to experience the ambience of the city.