I made it down just fine, but not before shedding a few tears. Shelby thought it was funny that I cried at the airport with her, yet gave my brother a high five and a "see ya later". He's just happy to have me move out after what was supposed to be 2 weeks turned into 2 years!
Flight to San Juan was easy, then I anxiously awaited the connection to St Croix on Cape Air. Of course I was joking when I mentioned that I hope they had room on the plane for my luggage ... should I have been nervous or offended when they asked how much I weigh, not to mention the suitcases?!? It's a shame they had to put my carry-on bag in the WING of the plane (yes, that is not a typo), so unfortunately I did not have my camera handy (not to take a picture of the look on my face upon boarding the 10-seat puddle jumper - by weight per person!), but the aerial view of St Croix was seriously the stuff on postcards. Can't believe the first view of my new home was from the air! And hopefully that last suitcase makes it here eventually ...
I am so thankful for all of the connections already. In typical Charlotte small world fashion, I met a guy at the airport who met my friend Kristen last year when she was down here buying a house. Our mutual friend Ruth virtually introduced us - I've certainly appreciated Kristen's insight (thanks especially for the 'morning and 'afternoon way to address folks!). Look forward to meeting her in person when she comes back for Thanksgiving (and please let me know if you need me to keep an eye on your Jeep in the meantime!). Tomorrow I am having dinner with Shelby's friends Lisa and Jeff, who moved here in April and have been extremely helpful answering my million questions all summer - super excited to finally meet them. Wednesday I am meeting another friend Kirby - whose family is from the Charlotte area - and just moved here this summer after spending some time in Australia. She has been awesome in helping me find a place to live! I was originally hoping to make a day trip to visit my friends Meredith and Scott who are vacationing from Charlotte in St John - maybe they will run into the three guys from Raleigh who are moving to St John this week too. This island is going to be really small at this pace!
Apartment is great - nice and cozy, but it's all I need and conveniently fully furnished. My landlord Michele is from Valdosta, GA (also home of JD Drew!). She worked in DC for 20 years and moved down here 4 years ago as a dive instructor ... and of course she just met Jeff (fellow instructor) last week! Michele was nice enough to pick me up from airport and offered to make a pitstop at the grocery store. I was surprised to find a similar selection and variety of items as any store back home ... with the exception that I was able to find Ben and Jerrys Oatmeal Cookie Chunk! Seriously?!? They haven't sold it in a CLT grocery store for years (as many of you recall the buyout 'incident'), and I always have to go to an actual scoop shop for my chunk fix!
Walked down the beach for dinner - delicious shrimp salad and they sure don't mess around with the rum punch down here! I've decided the perfume of choice down here will be Off bug spray!
Loving the fact my AT&T service has worked better here and in San Juan than certain spots back in the states - all as part of the national plan, so no international charges. Well at least let's hope so ... this could be a REALLY expensive phone bill if they were lying!
Internet is obviously up and running. Will be online tomorrow to start working remotely for the next few weeks. And too bad it's the Yankees I'm having to listen to tonight (sorry D-port!), but nice to still have the simple comforts of home ... granted I'm sitting on the balcony - love that there is an outlet out here, so you can guarantee I'll be working with a view tomorrow. Except that I almost just stepped on the biggest bug I've ever seen!!! Until then...
A few pics from Day 1
Great start to the blog and to your journey! Now you are obligated to keep us posted. Can't wait to hear more in the days to come. Keep the pictures coming so we can live vicariously through you! :0)
ReplyDeleteYou did great on your first blog!! You could turn this into a book, I know a published author that might be able to help you with that!! Love the pics too!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the blog. I will look forward to hearing all about your adventures. The pictures are absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about you the past week or so. Glad to see you decided to blog. Keep the updates coming. Oatmeal Cookie Chunk.... must be a sign!
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