2017 was a very lucky year for me in that my job allowed me to spend more time in the Caribbean than in NY. I love my home state but every now and then it's wonderful to get away.
I had never heard of the island of Montserrat when I was offered an opportunity to work there. I quickly agreed (having worked with this director before and enjoyed the experience) not really knowing where I was going to be living for the next three months. After securing the job I did some research on the island. Once a bustling tourist island, the volcanic eruption in 1995 covered half the island in ash causing most of the islands inhabitants to leave dropping the population from 12,000 down to 1200. Those that remain lead a simple life focused on friends, family, and the day to day. Nothing I write can truly describe the amazing experience I had there, the people I met, new foods I tried, and friendships I made but I will try.
This photo series will be in two parts, the first showing the lushness of the island that remains, the second showing the ash covered former towns.
The volcanic black sand beaches are magnetic. An 11 year old taught me that as he put a magnet into the sand and pulled out all the magnetic particles. This is the ocean side of the island, which is fun to swim in, but can get quite rough.
At the end of our work day we were treated to a feast of coconuts, which some of the locals collected and cut up for us. These were the remains of our feast.
This vista was about a 5k hike to get to but well worth the effort even afer working for 12 hours and knowing the hike out would be uphill all the way.
Cows abound on this island but beef is not a meal soon found. They are free to roam.
