Your Typical Island Brushfire

So, let me tell you about last night.

Melissa was home studying early (due to campus buildings being ridiculously cold), and I was minding my own business on the computer. We hear our downstairs neighbors and landlord talking about something sort of loudly, and it's odd because the sound isn't coming from below us, but outside. So I go to check it out, and what do I see but smoke. A pretty good amount of smoke

Part of the forest was on fire.

Being the self-preservers that we are, Melissa and I quickly pack up our important things and prepare for the worst: will we need to evacuate? Where will we go? I go back outside to see if everyone else is preparing to leave as well, half-expecting to jump into the car and head to campus.

But no, everyone is just sort of watching the smoke. 

According to Trevor (our landlord), the fire is on the far side of the road, and there isn't a chance of it getting across it. Also, since our building is made out of concrete, there isn't a lot that would catch fire easily. I was still skeptical until a security patrolman from Ross came up and echoed these remarks. We don't have to worry about the forest fire happening 70 yards away. Astounding. 

Fortunately, the fire crew came up a few minutes later and started working on controlling the burn. It was also just nice to be out under the stars and chat with our new Minnesotan friends under the bright full moon. 

The next morning the fire was but a memory, and we got back into our regular groove. Melissa has Mini #2 on Thursday, so she's been studying all over the place. Keep thinking of her; she takes her test at 8:00 am E.T.  

In other news, we've decided that after we come back from Christmas we want to get a puppy. I've been starting to do some research about how to transport a dog off our island, so if you have any tips, please let me know (both about traveling to the U.S. with a dog and getting a puppy here in Dominica). Thanks in advance!

Take care,

-Eric