We are back on the safe island of Siesta Key, having fled from St, Croix.
Two nights ago, at 4:30 in the morning a druggie psycho kicked in our condo door, De Anne and I were able to escape out the back door and several neighbors joined us. He had already tried to break in to a condo several doors down and they had called the police who arrived moments after he invaded our unit.
The long term residents all said that the only crime in the complex in the past 8 years was one car break in. That was small comfort for us and after a sleepless night we decided St. Croix was not fun anymore so we left.
Warm weather, beautiful reef snorkeling, and lovely island beaches only work when you feel safe.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Hello is not OK
We got our first taste of St. Croix public transportation. Modern, small buses that cost one dollar per ride unless you have the discount (free) card. De Anne and I were the only people without the card.
Everyone got on the bus with a cheery "Good morning!" and received the same in return. Having done our homework we knew this would happen. Answering back "Hi" is rude and "Hello" is not OK. This works the same with retail clerks too.
The perpetual tropical climate creates the need to announce yourself when nearing an open front door - therefore call out "Inside". No answer is always presumed to be proof no one is home; however, should someone answer "outside" that is your invitation to enter.
In the big city of Christiansted, the tourist area is quite similar to Key West - right down to the wild chickens. A couple cocks fighting over a styrofoam cup:
Still a few lines hanging low in the street:
Everyone got on the bus with a cheery "Good morning!" and received the same in return. Having done our homework we knew this would happen. Answering back "Hi" is rude and "Hello" is not OK. This works the same with retail clerks too.
The perpetual tropical climate creates the need to announce yourself when nearing an open front door - therefore call out "Inside". No answer is always presumed to be proof no one is home; however, should someone answer "outside" that is your invitation to enter.
In the big city of Christiansted, the tourist area is quite similar to Key West - right down to the wild chickens. A couple cocks fighting over a styrofoam cup:
One unanticipated and undesirable result of our bus trip was the cold I contracted. A few days of rest and sunshine should make it better.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Old and new
Signs of the hurricane line each road. While the much beloved linemen are putting up new lines at a rapid pace the removal of the old is being put off to another day.
The norm along every street:
The black fence in the background is around our condo complex. Until today it was lying on the ground and quite easy to step over. We will now have to use the pass code gate like normal people.
Sitting around the pool yesterday chatting with some long-term residents, we learned the tap water in all the units was from cisterns fed from the roof gutters. Everyone was impressed we were still alive. We did find out that the pool water, oddly enough, comes from a clean, treated source - so I will be sneaking out each night to fill a couple pitchers from the pool shower.
The norm along every street:
The black fence in the background is around our condo complex. Until today it was lying on the ground and quite easy to step over. We will now have to use the pass code gate like normal people.
Sitting around the pool yesterday chatting with some long-term residents, we learned the tap water in all the units was from cisterns fed from the roof gutters. Everyone was impressed we were still alive. We did find out that the pool water, oddly enough, comes from a clean, treated source - so I will be sneaking out each night to fill a couple pitchers from the pool shower.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Far enough south
Leaving the cold 48 states behind we finally got far enough south. I almost needed a jacket in Miami on Friday morning.
On St. Croix evidence of storm damage is still visible; but life is close to normal. A few hours after our arrival the power went out. We were at the restaurant next door to our condo, Cheeseburger in Paradise, but since the grill was gas powered, and the beer still cold we were able to tough out the half hour power outage.
Yesterday our first beach walk about a quarter-mile away.
A picture of De Anne - as usual - not waiting for me:
Happy wife so life is good!
On St. Croix evidence of storm damage is still visible; but life is close to normal. A few hours after our arrival the power went out. We were at the restaurant next door to our condo, Cheeseburger in Paradise, but since the grill was gas powered, and the beer still cold we were able to tough out the half hour power outage.
Yesterday our first beach walk about a quarter-mile away.
A picture of De Anne - as usual - not waiting for me:
Happy wife so life is good!
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Death, distruction, & new arrivals
Although we have heard about manatees hit by power boats it is sad when it happens in front of your home. De Anne had to call in a manatee injured in Blind Pass. The Sarasota Police promptly responded and biologists from Mote Aquarium joined in a failed rescue attempt.
One police officer shed his gun belt, vest, and shirt for a closer look.
One police officer shed his gun belt, vest, and shirt for a closer look.
On Siesta Beach a Catalina sailboat went aground in high winds. If you are going to go aground it might as well be on the 2017 best beach in America, and a short walk from many bars and restaurants.
A New year's trip to Virginia Beach to visit the newest family member Robert Logan White.
Tomorrow we flee the cold weather of south Florida to spend a month in St. Croix Virgin Islands. We expect no sympathy from our northern friends for what we call cold down here.
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