Day Totals: 16 hrs, 13.5 kms

I've done it . I've hiked more than halfway around the island. through 8 of its provinces. I'm satisfied with my accomplishment, and don't feel any need to hike through any more long stretches of hot, open country. Unlike Grenada and St Vincent where I wished I had had more time, here it almost feels like I've got too much time. I'm tired and not really interested in hiking much more here. And I have 2 days left

Well... there is one town/province left that I need to check out: the very touristy province of Gros Islet to the north of Castries. So today I'm going to hike there from Castries.

I first take my time soaking in Castrie one last time. I stop in a tiny stall where a cheerful fellow dressed in a quasi-tux makes smoothies. "I dress up like this because the customers like it--sometimes I deliver to them and I want to make a good impression" It's a very basic stall--but he's passionate about his business.

As we talk, he jokes with his regular customers--sending them on errands to fetch milk, cups or whatever he needs .

"My sons live in the United States. I chose to stay here. But now that I'm getting older I'm not sure if I made the right decision." he tells me.

He fills me in on a whole range of topics I was unsure about, like "why do so many people listen to old American country music instead of soca and reggae like the rest of the Caribbean?" This is kind of weird to be wandering through the tropical jungle and hear country music. Once on a van, the driver put on some soca and a passenger complained, so he put on country instead!

"When there was an American military base here, theirs was the only radio station, and they played a lot of country music, and the people got to liking it. So they still listen to it today!"

When we get to talking about the future of his country, his mood gets more grave. "We have a serious problem in that young people grow up feeling they don't have to respect any rules and can do whatever they want. Also, many are graduating from college with no job possibilities. This is a dangerous combination and someday everything's going to explode..."

This gives me some food for thought as I begin my hike north, along a very developed stretch of shopping centers, hardware shops and upscale residential neighborhoods up in the hills. Finally I reach Rodney Bay, St Lucia's luxurious marina area which includes 2 modern shopping malls. It feels worlds away from what I observed in the other 90% of the country.