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The paintings of Italian-born artist Agostino Brunias, who made a profession of depicting the island in subdued, stylized settings that covered up the harsh realities of colonial control, were my first visual introduction to Dominica. However, as soon as I step onto its winding roads, which begin to twist shortly after I arrive, it becomes evident that this region, which is situated in the center of the Lesser Antilles’ curve, is anything but tame. The two-toned leaves of its bois canot trees, which change color from green to white when they sway in the wind, shimmer and bristle with the power of the volcano. It lulls with the erratic sound of its numerous waterfalls, scatters rainbows haphazardly across its breathtaking horizons, and enchants from the depths with its vibrant coral reefs. And it roars come storm season.
The indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica survived invasion by the French and British, who imposed slavery on the Africans who now make up four-fifths of the island’s population and left a linguistic legacy of English and French-based Creole, by mastering the lush tropical rainforest that covers more than 60% of the island. If you visit Trinidad for roti and Jamaica for jerk, you should travel to Dominica for green things like bush rum and flower teas. There are a ton of medicinal herbs in the forest.
The Jungle Bay Dominica resort, located smack dab in the center of the Soufrière jungles, leans into nature instead, maybe realizing the futility of fighting against the earth’s generosity. When I finally get there, the kitchen is closed. Joanne Hilaire, the operations manager, tells me that they never let guests go hungry, though, so I can feel the warmth of Dominica’s welcome. The cook is preparing an excellently stewed dish of beans with taro, rice, and plantain for our late dinner, off the menu, while I have a refreshing ginger-lime cocktail that is a local favorite. When I wake up the following morning, I find that my villa’s doors open onto a private veranda that faces southwest toward Soufrière Bay, where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge. I let the light wake me for the remainder of my stay by leaving my blinds open.
Boy, 7, Found Dead After..
At least 135 people have lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Helene, with the Carolinas suffering the worst. Micah Drye, 7, and his grandparents from Asheville, North Carolina, were among the deceased. They took cover on a rooftop before being carried away by floodwaters. Micah’s mother, Megan Drye, lived, but she sadly lost her parents and son in the accident.
The tragic tale was posted online by Megan’s sister, Jessica Drye Turner, who related Micah’s last words: “Jesus! Please assist me. “New grief and strong faith,” she said, expressing her grief and faith. The new catchphrase A quarter of a mile from where Megan had been rescued was where Micah’s body was eventually discovered.Heather Kephart, Megan’s other sister, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Megan when she lost everything. A last picture of Micah smiling in a Jurassic World T-shirt, shot by his grandma prior to the catastrophe, is included on the page.The losses incurred by the hurricane are numerous; the Drye family’s is just one as communities work to rebuild. The ability of families like theirs to bounce back from such destruction will be essential to the healing process.
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