Why abandon your pregnant wife?

That's right, you read the title correctly, I have abandoned Andria. She is on her own. If you need me, you can find me in the Caribbean - St. Lucia, Bahamas, Belize, then Barbados. C-ya suckers!!! Truth be told, it is a massive month long work trip. Go ahead - make all your snide comments about how lazing on the beach is hardly work, about rum inspired vision quests, about whether the green stuff is better in the Caribbean or in Colorado. Truth is, I've never worked harder in my life. Even writing my dissertation pales in comparison to the work I'm doing now. I'm only writing this post because I think it will make Andria happy.

So what am I doing in the Caribbean, and why did I abandon my wife for it? I'm trying to help the Caribbean Development Bank start using a US$65M line of credit from the European Investment Bank on development projects that are "climate action." Problem is, nobody really knows what "climate action" looks like yet. That's where I come in. It is my job to try and get three projects from concept to fundable climate action projects. This includes a water supply project for Vieux Fort, St. Lucia; a port for Great Exuma, Bahamas, and the Northern Highway outside of Belize City, Belize. I'll spend a week on site at each project and a lot of time in the Miami airport getting from one location to the other.

But seriously, this may be the coolest project ever conceived. I mean, these three infrastructure projects will actually change people's lives and advance the on-the-ground practical work necessary to make progress on climate change issues as well. Okay that sounds a bit dramatic perhaps. But there are side benefits as well - a killer resume addition, learning new skills, getting Andria out to Belize for her third "babymoon" (google it!), and simply experiencing other cultures.

So on the other cultures bit...I'm now in my third day in St. Lucia. It just happens to be the St. Lucia Jazz Festival while I am here. I finally had time to see some real jazz tonight, and it was this incredible artist Michele Henderson and her incredible band. Do you hear that Uncle Rick?!?! If anyone might be super jealous about my situation right now, I figure it must be you!

This is my colleague for the week I am in St. Lucia - a French water engineer named Francois Miquel. He is super competent and I don't know if I could successfully pull this project off without him. This picture (and the other two) was taken on the very northern end of the island. But our work is on the very southern end. Long commute!
 

I just think this island is beyond beautiful. I mean - volcanic mountains covered with rain forest jutting straight out of the ocean. Barbados has better beaches (and better rum!), but this place is really freaking cool! And I'm getting paid to be here!

 
This shows Rodney Bay, where I am now staying - after an ill advised bout of two nights in Marigot Bay. Most of the Jazz Festival events are in and around this area, so just walking around is quite an experience.

Anywho, you know me, I could prattle on forever. But I still have a couple of hours of work to get done before I can sleep and it's already 11pm. That's the price of awesome work I guess. So live vicariously through my experience or curse me for leaving my wife alone - and pregnant - while I trapse around the Caribbean.

Andria - I miss you and want to try to teach My Muffin the prime numbers. I can't talk to you both soon enough!