5 hrs, 5.1 kms

My expectations for my last day in the Caribbean are pretty low . This trip has had plenty of hilights and very cool places. It's OK if today I pretty much just cram in a couple random towns and call it quits. Little do I know is that today will be one of my best days of them all.

It starts out boring enough. I start in Chaguanas, the first major town to the south, where I walk down a busy streets of cluttered shops, pushed back away from the street so they don't provide me with any shade. I do enjoy a delicious smoothie--I don't know any of the flavors, so I ask the seller (a black Muslim lady) to pick one. She picks "green seaweed" and... it's actually pretty good!

Finally I loop back to the main highway, without finding a single place for a decent photograph--much less a Parkbench session... only to find... I'm on the wrong side of the highway! The real Chaguanas is on the other side! On the other side is a much more pedestrian friendly shopping area--and a mall with a park area in front . I figure I'd better take advantage of this spot while I can.

After a couple of songs, a young girl--maybe 20 years old or so--asks if she can listen to me and of course I accept. She has a beautiful smile and there's a radiance about her...

"I'm hoping to be a musician as well" she tells me.

That's actually an understatement--Tisha already is a musician. She's made it to the finals at a Caribbean singing contest, has performed at various events and even has a manager.

"I got a scholarship to a music school in Florida" she tells me. "But unfortunately I don't have the resources for the trip--so I might have to turn it down.... But I'm not going to give up, I'm just going to keep trying"

I'm inspired by her energy and optimism. You can't help but hope that she will succeed. But she's also pragmatic--right now she's headed off for a job interview .

Of course I have to hear a couple of her songs. And she gladly obliges, joining me for our impromptu Parkbench Concert in the plaza in front of the Chaguanas Mall. She belts out a beautiful gospel song--and then an original of her own. She has a voice that combines soul with a bit of Caribbean cheerfulness--quite a treat to listen to. I rarely do this, but I feel I've got to record her to preserve this beautiful moment... And folks on nearby benches I can see are really enjoying it to.

I wouldn't mind jamming all day here with Tisha--but she's got an interview to go to. We wish each other success and head our separate ways. Despite our age differences, I feel like we're both on similar journeys and I look forward to hearing what destiny holds in store for her.