Breakfast at VIERS is served from 7:00 to 7:30 AM each morning. A delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon and fruit awaited us after we frantically prepared for the day. After eating, we had a pow-wow, where Renee outlined the day’s events, after which Randi provided us with an exhibition of her juggling skills…she even juggled laying down on the hammock! We then began the first stage of our mark-recapture study.

A mark-recapture study is a way to estimate the population size of a species in a given area. Throughout VIERS, hermit crabs roam front quad and the garden. In the first stage of our mark-recapture study, our group scurried to find as many crabs as possible in 37 minutes. The unfortunate subjects were marked with colorful H’s, while those holding them tried to avoid their single pinching claw. We ended up with a whopping 275 crabs. After our allotted time ended, we kept finding more unmarked crabs!!! These lucky crabs still have to escape our second “recapture” stage tomorrow.
Immediately following our adventure with the crabs, we headed to Little Lameshur Bay because we couldn’t wait any longer to get our feet wet. The water was incredible! After mastering our snorkeling skills we headed to Poopy Rock. Don’t worry there is more to be found then bird poop; We also found a myriad of fishes, including our first *lionfish. On the way back from our snorkel, Randi found a tarantula in the middle of the path (thankfully no contact was made with our feet).

After lunch, many of us were pooped from snorkeling at Poopy Rock and many of us hit the sack. Some hit the hammock. A grand total of four were found asleep there.

Once we awoke, we couldn’t wait to get back in the water, so we walked to Great Lameshur Bay for some more snorkeling practice. As opposed to the sandy beach we visited earlier in the morning, Great Lameshur Bay is a cobblestone beach, and it didn’t take long for the rocks to hurt our feet, which only quickened our race to the ocean. The rocks provide a home for coral to latch onto, leading to much more fish, and many more species. Some of us even managed to catch a glimpse of a hawksbill turtle or a southern stingray! While any Hollins student will tell you about the abundance of squirrels on campus, our group can attest to the abundance of squirrelfish (including these blackbar soldierfish below)  in the oceans…but don’t worry, they don’t look anything alike. Their big eyes show that they are more active at night than during the daytime. Halfway through our second snorkel of the day, we rested on another cobblestone beach, where we treated ourselves to a hot stone massage session and put dead coral between our toes for a relaxing effect. We also listened to the calming click clack of the waves as they rolled over the cobblestones.

We finished off the day with dinner and a delicious banana cream pie. Yum.

*Lionfish are an introduced species. Some believe they were introduced after a hurricane  hit a seaside aquarium in Florida. They have already spread all the way down past St. John and up to New England. They are very destructive to the native habitat as they have no natural predators here.

Written By: Asya Simons and Randi Pedroza

From Renee: We made it to the Virgin Islands a half hour early. Even though it was raining, excitement was palpable. By the time we got to St. John, rain had stopped and we arrived at VIERS in good spirits and hungry. It has been raining lots here = muddy driving, thank goodness for 4 WD! The internet here is very slow so I am posting – students will add the words in the morning. Just wanted you all to know we arrived safe and sound.

From Caitlin and Jessie:
We started our journey in the dark. We piled ourselves and our luggage into the van, driven by Jon Guy, at FIVE o’clock in the morning. Upon arriving at the airport we were quickly divvied out our tickets and promptly skipped by a little orange lady. After Caitlin went through the security checkout (8 times) we all boarded a propeller plan my mother lovingly called a “crop duster”.

After a 40-minute flight, we arrived at the Charlotte airport. To get to our next gate, we had to walk across the ENTIRE airport…but don’t worry, we stretched.
Whilst upon the airport balcony, our whole group (including Renee and Wilsooooooooooooooooon-who does not resemble a volleyball) did some planking, a few sun salutations, and various other exercises, which made for a VERY fun photo-shoot. We completed our group therapy session in an ameboid-like formation on the floor.
After our amusing three-hour layover in Charlotte, we boarded the flying infomercial that would take us to St. Thomas. During our flight we were encouraged to purchase chocolate, watches, and various other shiny, touristy objects. After much sleeping and Oreo-eating (Thanks, Renee!), we began our descent into the ocean…”FIND LAND, FIND LAND, FIND LAND!!!” (As spoken by the wonderful Jess). Don’t worry…we didn’t actually land IN the ocean, the landing strip was just on the edge of the island. Of course, the second we got off the plane, we were offered samples of rum. But, seeing as how we are all well-behaved students, we didn’t take any (parents should be proud, yes? ).
We walked out into the rain to get to our taxi-bus, where we met Randy Fish, the station manager of VIERS. We loaded up all of our luggage, hopped onto the strangest taxi ride of our lives. Our driver had a habit of taking sharp turns and honking at people after they had moved out of her way. Luckily, however, she managed to get us to the five o’ clock ferry! Que Titanic moment…..eh, not so much. But, the island breeze felt amazing as we headed towards St. John.
Once on St. John, Renee and Wilsooooooooooooon (who still does not resemble a volleyball) headed off to get the rental cars. While all us gals waited on the beach, we stalked anything that walked a dog (Chihuahua vs. Doberman…who will triumph??) until our professors reappeared with the cars (Jeep Wrangler <3). Winding through the roads of St. John, we got a look at all of the natives and how they live…this includes the donkeys we almost hit…and the chickens…and the cows…and the cats.
We arrived at VIERS around seven o’clock and were greeted with the dinner bell (good, because we were STARVING). Before dinner we went through orientation, during which we were prompted to smell like 13-year-old boys and to avoid alcohol and shady men with drugs or we would bleed out after being subjected to acid-peeing lizards.
Upon stuffing ourselves with the delicious food prepared by the VIERS volunteers, we managed to pile five of us crazy girls onto a hammock, where we were serenaded by the crew. We ended our first night with a moonlit stroll to the beach of Little Lameshur, winding our way through a mud-puddle maze.
Ten o’clock rolled around and it was lights-out for everyone. We all fell asleep in our cabins to the sound of the island breeze whistling through our adorable fishy-patterned curtains. Hello, St. John. We have arrived. Get well soon LIZ!!
Hollins out.

In preparation for our departure to St. John, we have been studying fish and learning some of the various environmental concerns on the island (such as: water scarcity, energy, introduced species, and global warming effects on coral). We also discussed the extremely long 431 page (but felt like even longer) winter break read, Night of the Silent Drums, and the importance of slave history on St. John.

Partner work began today on our Tour Guide positions while on the island. Each group needed to review their tour day and become familiar with the material in order to teach and inform the rest of the group.

Leading up to our early morning adventure on the plane, the stress of packing has set in! What to take, how much to take, and all the unnecessary items we will all undoubtedly pack, which will never be used are some of our worries. Anticipation builds! We are all extremely excited to begin this adventure, even though 5:15 in the morning is quite early. As Renee says, if you’re not cheerful just don’t talk!

-Sarah Knox & Becca Logan

Today is day two of our course preparations. We are busily learning about the Caribbean environment and ironing out the details of our research. This time Friday we will be on our way to St. John.

Welcome to the 2012 Hollins Short Term in the Caribbean.  We hope you will enjoy following our class as we immerse ourselves in the Caribbean Environment of St. John.