Struggling to learn Arabic

Why am I struggling to learn Arabic? No, no, no. Not why it is a struggle, but why do I even bother in the first place? Well, it is fun to study languages, but this one is really tough. It would be nice to know the language when I visit a place, to get a better feel for what's really going on.

But today, I came across this article from the BBC, Campaign to save the Arabic language in Lebanon. What?! So I read the article. Turns out that most people in Lebanon speak French, because it was a French colony. And the younger generation tend to speak English. While hardly anyone can string together a decent Arabic sentence!

The article goes on to say that this is also an issue in North Africa, Egypt, Jordan & the UAE. So I ask myself, "Why am I struggling to learn Arabic?" I don't have a good answer as yet.

St. Croix: Images 10

This little pineapple, barely a handful, grew outside my bedroom window. That side of the house does not get any rain (unless there is a storm, then everywhere gets wet), so it stayed small for months, then gave up and turned yellow. But it smells so good. I'll eat it in a day or two.

The lighthouse at Hams Bluff. I hadn't planned to hike up there on that day, so I didn't take any water. But I found myself up there anyway. The lighthouse is in bad shape. I wanted to climb up and look out, but the metal floor was rusted through. So I decided not to risk it.

Ruin of the greathouse at one of the plantations during St. Croix's "Golden Age of Sugar." I don't get too excited about the island's history, as it is mainly about slave labour. The greathouse is where the European planter lived.

Another view, including a smaller building.

Do you think this coconut was terrified because he knew I was going to bash his head open? At some point in the future, I will post a video of me removing the husk from this same coconut, with Pierre giving a running commentary.

St. Croix: Images 09

A pretty neat location on the north side of the island. After a 1.5 mile hike up and down the hills and thru the bushes, you arrive at these tide pools. When the tide is high, the water comes crashing over the rocks and look like water falls.

Looking out at Protestant Cay from outside the house where my mother grew up.

The botanical gardens held their anual Mango Melee. They had on display countless varieties of mangos and other fruits. I was on patrol to keep people from feelin up de mango dem.

The kids mango eating contest. They had to eat 5 mangos. I didn't see who won, as I turned away after one of the kids regurgitated her mangos.

Tortola: Images 03

A bar named Three Sheets. I did a little research into the phrase "three sheets to the wind" and found out that in sailing terminology, a sheet is a rope not a sail! But I still don't quite understand what three sheets to the wind means. Yeah, I know it means drunk, but I don't get the connection.

I just like the style of this building. At one of the marinas.

This phony building. The walls appear to be a good solid 16 inches thick, but on close inspection, I found that they were made of foam.

Looking out wishfully at the boats...

Village Cay Hotel & Marina