Expert: Saran Louis - 12/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Saran,

I'll be doing an internship at a Sandals Resort from january to may, possibly the Grande, so I'll be located on pidgeon's island.  I've read mostly all of your answers regarding hidden gems and so on, and happily noticed that pidgeon's island is one of your favorite spot!  So my questions are:

1- How aware should I be when considering "dangers" coming at night?  I know there is basic security like everywhere, but I mean I'm a bit scared to run out of time since I'll be working 8 to 4pm or 9 to 5pm.  I wouldn't like to be stuck in my appartment because it would be risky to go out at night.  Basically, which neighborhoods are more risky? At what time of the day are towns getting quiet? etc..

2- What is the voltage for your electricity for your common electronic equipement? (110V, 220V? etc..)

3- Since I'm finishing my degree in hospitality management at my university, and been working in hotels for 5 years already, I know that I don't want to see the typical tourist trap stuff.  Would you have any recommendantations or personnal favorites (other than the sightseeing spots) like restaurants, specific markets or areas, favorite shops or shopping areas..   

Thanks a lot for all your help, very very appreciated

ANSWER: Hi Kevin,

It's awesome that you interning in St. Lucia.

Pigeon Island park is a beautiful place so do check it out and climb the fort.

As far as what neighborhoods you should look out for I wouldn't worry too much because I don't think you would be around any of those places anyway. They're pretty much in the capitol of the island so I wouldn't worry much.

As far as hanging out places and being safe I would just avoid being anywhere isolated on your own. If you're going to be somewhere really late and when it is dark just make sure its a place where there are a lot of people.

Since you're gonna be in the north of the island then you're pretty much gonna be around the areas where the night life is pretty much. There are bars and clubs and restaurants in the Reduit area and if you ask any of your coworkers then they will be able to tell you which places are jumping when and so on. There have been a few new places that opened up since I moved away from the island that I've heard good things about.

Electricity we are 220v.

I hope that answers your questions and if you have anymore feel free to ask.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again Sarah,

I heard many things about living the life in St. Lucia and been told that it was kind of expensive to live there (like living in England for example, everything is just more expensive).  Is there any sense in such statement?  How much does it cost in a regular restaurant to eat breakfast or lunch? (by regular I mean a place where I can replace my home breakfast, not high end food)  here in montreal I could say something like 5-10$ for breakfast and 10-15$ for lunch...   Same goes with appartment rent?  

this might seems like no easy question but simply an average to give me an idea of what to expect..

thanks so much for your time!

Answer
Hey Sarah

You would find a difference in the way things are priced in St. Lucia as the currency is different. I won't lie to you, food is kind of expensive on the island especially with the hits the economy has taken.

I would say you may spend about $15-$20 on fast food but that is just a guess on my part since when I lived on the island I never really ate out much. We're an island where people tend to cook a lot so you find yourself eating more home cooked meals than eating out.

Eating out was like a once in a while thing and it was pretty much dinner. Other than that is would be fast food and that's like the KFC's and so on.

It is different from living in the USA and I guess Canada where you can probably go to a supermarket with $10 and come one with a whole meal. There aren't things like dollar menus and so on at the restaurants. You just have to adjust to living on an island where $5-$10 will probably not get you a full meal somewhere.