Our journey, Chapter 10: Life lessons
We awoke on Wednesday with Barry Manilow’s “I Made it Through the Rain” on our minds for some reason.
Okay, it rained and the wind blew. Ernesto finally did come, but the worst problems we faced were no Wi-Fi and a little water that somehow found its way into our bedroom through an outside wall. I was curious how water could make its way through a seemingly solid wall before remembering Chris, who was the master craftsman for our home in GA, told me water will always find its way through any fissure. Once again, Chris is right.
Before going to bed, we obediently lowered the hurricane shutters once we finally had the remote, which had been locked in the owner’s closet. I understand not wanting to lose the remote or having kids play with it, but locking it away is problematic. Fortunately, Amy, who manages the condo, came as soon as I sent her a text and problem solved.
With the shutters down the condo was very dark, which resulted in a growing sense of claustrophobia when we rolled out of bed until the wind finally calmed and we raised the shutters to see the previously well-manicured landscape a soggy mess.
Venturing down to the beach, we saw our minor inconveniences were nothing. Pristine Cowpet Bay beach was buried under huge mounds of sargassum that, until the storm waters deposited it on the beach, was nowhere to be found on Cowpet. Cleanup would take a lot of work. But, even more surprising than the unwelcome seaweed was the sailboat that had broken loose from its moorings and rested on its starboard side in the middle of the beach.
Here's to hoping the boat was insured. If so, it will be quickly removed. Those that aren’t often end up rotting where they went aground. After hurricane Irma in 2017, the US government decided it needed to not only provide funds to rebuild the infrastructure damaged in the USVIs, but also to make up for underfunding projects in the past. Therefore, the government pumped roughly $22B into the local economy. Residents question what happened to all that money. Maybe the territorial government could find some of that money to deal with boats abandoned by owners who act irresponsibly and presume someone else should clean up after them? I’ll bet they didn’t have to pick up after themselves as kids, either.
Natalie and I walked to the Caribbean Fish Market, a restaurant on the beach, hoping it would be open. We weren’t alone. There was a line of similar hopeful diners outside the restaurant. Fortunately for all of us, they did decide to open. The food was as wonderful, as always (the Korean barbecued wings were to die for and I buried my face in the seafood hot pot), but as good as the food was, the gossip was better.
According to someone seated by us, the boat on the beach is 55,000 pounds and was moored on an anchorage that was supposed to be secure up to 80,000 pounds. Since it apparently took the anchorage with it to the beach, someone will have some explaining to do. Of course, that may mean the boat stays there until liability is settled. Let’s hope not.
Martin hurt his shoulder during the storm helping others. He really is a good guy. Still, he insisted on showing us the properties he earmarked for us. The views of the islands dotting the sea were spectacular from each. I’m pretty sure I would while away my time staring at the surrounding beauty if we lived in any of them. Nevertheless, we are still not going to make a decision until we go to St. Kitts in October, and Martin again encouraged us to go slowly, once more recommending we rent a place before buying. If it turns out St. Thomas is the place for us, Martin is who we will trust to guide us.
What have we learned? A steady breeze is really important. So is the medical care that isn’t available on St. John. Amazon will deliver to St. Thomas (I tried to order Medihoney for Natalie’s wound and found it wouldn’t arrive before we leave), but delivery isn’t free and it takes a long time, so plan ahead. Condo living isn’t bad if we find the right place. Hurricane shutters are a must. Things cost more in the islands – especially crackers, but groceries and basic day-to-day needs are available on St. Thomas. St. John? Beautiful. Visit it, but living there would be challenging for us, at best. Driving on the left isn’t as scary as it sounds. On the other hand, many of the drivers in the USVIs are. And, perhaps most importantly, although we didn’t get the island fever Natalie was afraid we would develop, we’re excited to again see friends and family.
Yes, life here is a bit different, but probably not a lot different than moving from one place to any other in the States. I think what made spending the past several weeks here seem normal was we spent that time together. As long as we can do that, I’m pretty sure we can find happiness wherever we are. Well, as long as I get to spend some together time in the Caribbean.
We couldn’t leave this part of our journey or end our celebration of fifty years in fifty days without a Champagne toasted sunset. Life is good.
Our journey continues…