The little things we all encounter that remind you that you went to a Caribbean medical school.
1. Dominica- NOT the Dominican Republic
Every time someone asks where you go to school you have to open up Google maps and explain that Dominica is not the same thing as the Dominican Republic. Every. Single. Time.
2. And getting there is an all around terrible experience
You cringe at the thought of flying with them. They’ve lost your bags multiple times, forgot to send a plane big enough to seat all of their passengers, and may have ran out of fuel mid flight and had to turn back around. LIAT- because your Luggage Is Always Tardy.
3. But we do have some beautiful sunsets
Possibly one of the few things you’ll miss about the island. And you’re leaving just in time because I think your friends are starting to catch on that all of your Instagram sunsets look awfully similar…
4. And waterfalls
Okay, I guess there are a few things we’ll all miss about this island.
5. Lots of them
6. And double rainbows
7. And lots of diverse wildlife
8. Like cows just chilling on the side of the road
9. And these little guys
10. And other little guys
11. And massive bugs
12. And boobs
Like you’ve never referred to Cabrits as that.
13. But definitely not gonna miss these guys
These primeval creatures have existed for about four-hundred-million years…and some can be highly venomous. And you just saw one in your apartment? No worries. You probably didn’t feel like getting any sleep tonight anyway.
14. Okay, calm your nerves with a refreshing beer
Refreshing is a relative term. But you’re not a stranger to a different variety of beverages when you’re enjoying a night out in Portsmouth. Don’t feel like having a rum punch? How about a bucket of Kubuli and a pizza from Tulip’s? If not, I think I saw someone outside of Big Poppa’s selling ‘coconuts’..
15. De Champs
Whether you’re enjoying fine dining, playing trivia during taco Tuesdays, having a mimosa-filled boozy brunch, completing the 12-hour challenge, buying the hottest faculty and students at the Ped’s Date Auction, chugging from the flabongo, or just dancing your drunken ass off, we’ve all had amazing times at this place. Probably too much fun. Shit, who did I try and make out with last night? God I hope I didn’t take too many embarrassing selfies..
16. Chop my money!
You never heard this song before you came here and you are likely never to hear it again. You know, once you delete it from your iPod.
Let’s also not forget the first time you heard this song. Chocolate codeine? Chuck my mommy? WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY SAYING?! Ohhhh…CHOP my MONEY. Gotcha.
17. Machetes & coconuts
The perfect alternative to the swiss army knife, the machete is the best all around tool for just about anything and everything. Need to open a coconut? Machete. Need to cut the grass? Machete. Machete? Machete!
*Honorable mention goes to the weedwacker- the noisiest but seemingly most common gardening tool on this island
18. The New & Improved Tomato’s
19. And It Rains Here…A Lot
20. Did I Mention How Much It Rains Here?
21. Seriously?! It Didn’t Even Rain That Hard Today! Guess I’m Not Showering.
This is the product of using gravity as a filtration system. And you’re about as surprised by dirty water coming out your faucet as you are when subway runs out of…well, everything.
22. Speaking of Subway..
You’ve eaten Subway more often since being on the island than you ever have your entire life. You’ve eaten there even after they ran out of lettuce. And meat. And bread. Just never expect extra toppings without an attitude- its like you’re stealing from their personal stash of banana peppers and ranch dressing!
23. But Seriously, Its Always Hot and/or Raining
Did you you just come from the gym? Nope, but I did just walk here from my apartment!
24. There Are Dogs Everywhere
25. That Silly Jingle The Electricity Meter Makes
The best part of getting more electricity? Air conditioning was a good guess but we all know you secretly love that catchy jingle the electricity meter makes when you top up.
26. Hot Commodities
27. The truth
Your friends and family stopped asking ‘what you’re up to lately’ because you always seem to be studying and yet they still seem surprised when you don’t come home tan. Or ‘freckly’ for the melanin challenged.
28. Boiling lake
But you always manage to find some time to explore the island
29. Scotts Head
Where the Caribbean meats the Atlantic
30. Morne Diablotin
Or climb the tallest mountain on the island
31. But mostly we just can’t wait to go home
Not everyone’s experience in Dominica is the same. What do you miss about the island?
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This post was originally published on BuzzFeed