Oct 30, 2010

Hangin' with the locals

When I went to bed last night, I had no plans today.  I was looking forward to a nice relaxing day, maybe a walk to the grocery store, definitely a trip to the beach.  I was excited about finally enjoying my surroundings.  Hard to believe I have been here almost two weeks already and running around the entire time!

So I woke up nice and early - perfect I thought, I'll get my grocery shopping out of the way, then spend the rest of the day at the beach - walking, reading, napping, etc.  Sounded pretty wonderful (as my cousin Dan said, "think Corona commercial").  I decided to check my email just before I left ... and there it was ... a response to a Jeep Wrangler for sale!  I had been anxiously awaiting a reply from the seller.  I have had my heart set on getting a Jeep since I planned my move down here - of course there are plenty of Jeeps around the island; I just haven't had any luck finding one for sale.  I wanted to call immediately, thinking that since I had nothing else going on, I would definitely plan my day around checking out this Jeep.  I didn't want to call too early (this was 7:45 on a Saturday), but given she had replied at 7:30, I assumed she was awake.  I waited until 8 to call (in the meantime, I got the exciting news from Shelby that US Air has started offering non-stop flights between CLT and STX ... I love that we have single-handedly increased demand!!).  Talk about two exciting pieces of news to start the day!

I called Gerri about the Jeep, and luckily she was free all morning.  Perfect, I said - me too!  I told her I'd be there around 10.  Now at this point it doesn't sound like anything might get in the way of this little excursion, but I didn't have a ride!!!  Great - I finally found the vehicle I've been looking for, but I have no way to get there!  I called my landlord to see how reliable getting a taxi or taking the bus would be.  I thought about calling the car rental agency to ask about a last minute day rental.  I also sent a text to my friend Kirby, hoping I was not waking her up on a Saturday morning.  Kirby and Andy are staying just down the road while they are doing work to their house closer to the East end (where Gerri also lives).  And just as luck would have it, Kirby called and said they were actually on their way to the house and would be happy to give me a ride - WOW, talk about perfect timing!

So we met Gerri, I test drove the Jeep and it didn't take long to decide it was exactly what I was looking for.  I didn't want to keep Kirby and Andy from their work, so I told them I would find a way home (ideally in the Jeep), since they had been so gracious in getting me one way.  Gerri and I made our deal, but she needed the Jeep until Thursday.  Okay, no problem - I brought my book and some sunscreen with me, so I would just hang out on the East end beaches since I hadn't spent any time there yet and I was planning to read and relax anyway.  In the meantime, Kirby called to say that I must have just missed her mom, who was driving from the East to West end.  Ironically, she asked what my dad's name was - her mom went to elementary school with a guy named Chuck Grant - also my uncle's name (though not the same person)!

Gerri dropped me off at the Buccaneer - one of the top resorts on the island.  I walked down to the beach which was lined with palm trees and lounge chairs - perfect!  I sat down and read for about an hour - now this is how I had intended to spend the day!  And then it started raining ... and raining.  Luckily there was a beachside cafe that all of us hung out at during the rain ... and I ended up ordering lunch considering how long the rain lasted.  At this point I realized I should probably head back - as long as I was away from the apartment, I might as well run some errands.  So here is where my adventure with the local taxis and cabs began.

It was quite easy calling a cab from the Buccaneer - the driver was friendly and helpful, and I had him drop me off at the shopping center.  He then told me where the bus picked up, as it was only $2.50 for the rest of the ride vs $12 taking another taxi.  So far so good.  I walked all around the shopping center as it started to rain again, picked up some things from Kmart, and looked for a grocery store.  None within walking distance (especially in the rain), so I decided just to find the bus stop.  Luckily the folks waiting for the bus were all very friendly in helping make sure I got on the right one ... ironic that the bus was EXACTLY the same as the taxi (except FULL of people - all locals), so I'm not sure how I would have known the difference!  Whatever, anything to save a dollar =)   One of the next stops happened to be a grocery store so I debated whether or not to get out - given that I would still have a bit of a walk home, especially with my hands full of groceries.  What the heck, this first 'bus' seemed so easy, I'm sure the next would be just the same right?   

I stocked up at the grocery store (thinking later I probably could have waited on a few of those items until I had my own car) and made my way back to the bus stop.  And waited ... and waited.  I guess this is what people meant about the bus not being the most reliable form of transportation.  Finally it came, so here I was lugging my backpack full of stuff plus bags in both hands.  We then drove into Frederiksted ... at which point was about an hour after I left the grocery store (and I'm guessing it was 10 miles max).  The driver dropped me off about a half-mile from my apartment, and I decided to use the rest of the trip as my exercise for the day, after politely declining multiple offers from a very friendly Raul, who stopped in the middle of the road and insisted to take me home.  So a very interesting experience - one that I'm glad I got to share, but let's just say that I'm more than excited to have my own wheels on Thursday! 

Getting ready to head to Kirby and Andy's for a cook-out, then tomorrow sounds like it will be busy as well ... Sunday Funday.  Checking out Rainbow Beach (where they play sand volleyball), then there is supposed to be a huge Halloween bash at Normas - the place with the drinking pig - also where the local musician plays the last Sunday of every month.  Looking forward to the fun ... and I'll find some time to relax later!

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