I was gearing up for my big trip to the bank today. I had been warned of the various horror stories of trying to open a new account down here - definitely sounded like I needed to bring every form of identification possible, block off a good few hours, etc. Last night, I was also told that the banks may be closed today and tomorrow given a VI holiday and election day. So I called again to check on hours and checked online for a schedule of VI bank holidays. Given no other sign of closure, I woke up early and planned my trip to the bank, to be there before they opened so hopefully I would be the first in line. Well ... no one was in line and there was a nice sign on the door - closed, of course!
I wouldn't have been so concerned and originally wasn't even going to open an account here, but given my upcoming purchase, I needed to pay Gerri for the Jeep and she preferred a certified check. Of course I worried about the time it would take to transfer funds from my Bank of America account (do they even do wire transfers down here?). Well, those options now seemed slim, so I suggested to Gerri transferring the money online between our two stateside accounts. It's usually a click of a button - easy, convenient, and secure. So Gerri and I walked through the steps together, but the transaction would not process. After two hours of Bank of America customer service, we finally got it. So ironic how I planned on spending a few hours at the bank today, just didn't think it would be my own!
I pick up the Jeep on Thursday - note to self, stay on the left and swerve to avoid crabs walking in the road!
Sunday was a full day - woke up bright and early, and again with no plans until later, decided to take that long walk on the beach I've been looking forward to. I walked all the way down to Sandy Point - on the southwest point of the island. I'm guessing it was 4 miles roundtrip ... but the entire walk in the sand added quite a level of difficulty. It was absolutely beautiful, very secluded. I couldn't believe that once you turned the corner and faced the south beaches, the water was significantly rough in comparison to how calm the west side is. I also had someone point out turtle tracks and nesting area - see pictures below. I put my shoe in the pictures to scale - amazing! Really hope I have the opportunity to see them live someday!
It was way too nice of a day to stay inside and watch football, so I walked down Coconuts. Before I even found a chair, the bartender (who I had never met) walked up to me and said "Hey Jen, Eric wants to buy you a drink. What are you having?". Nothing like walking in solo and getting a free drink first thing! Then grabbed a seat next to another guy, Tim, who I had met the first night there - he works with Jeff. Had the Texas BBQ ribs (fall off the bone delicious!), then decided to check out Rhythms for the rest of the afternoon (had only been there on Thursday nights - this place was at Rainbow Beach and supposedly a hot spot on weekends - fun time but so much of the beach was washed away in the last hurricane that the volleyball court is no longer there). I was catching up with Shelby on the phone as Keith (one of the guys who works there, from Chicago) asked what I was drinking - so free drink #2! Not too shabby for a little day out by myself!
The Halloween party in the Rainforest was a blast - finally got to introduce Lisa and Jeff to Kirby and Andy - my island friends have now come full circle! And Jeff's costume really was one of the best I've ever seen. Quickly realizing that you can't go anywhere without running into someone you know - everyone knows everyone around here, and I love it! And most people greet you with a kiss on the right cheek.
I mentioned my friend Kristen earlier - I've still yet to meet her in person, but we've talked via email and phone. She is moving from
I wasn't kidding when I said Off bug spray is the scent of choice around here - I don't leave the house without it. So much for scented lotions and perfume! But I obviously had an allergic reaction to something else, as I broke out in hives. Woke up this morning thinking I had 1500 new bug bites (thank goodness for nurse friends!). Just got back from the store with some Benadryl. Would have gone over lunch had it not been for my time on the phone with customer service.
Good thing I have no plans to leave the house tonight - phone date with Christel (we both have Ben and Jerrys in the freezer ... I even found oatmeal cookie chunk in the little supermarket walking distance from my apartment), then watching the baseball game. And probably going to sleep early since I took that medicine!
Speaking of desserts, I attempted baking for the first time this weekend ... let's just say I ended up calling them "ghetto scotcheroos". They still tasted okay, but were horrible looking. I blame Hersheys that the mini kisses do NOT melt the same as chocolate chips. I even tried on the stove since I don't have a microwave (which has also made heating up leftovers interesting), then again in Kirby and Andy's microwave. The store was out of chocolate chips, so I went with the next best thing ... so I thought. Will try another time!
PS - I never get tired of the sunsets around here =)
I am bringing you the Pampered Chef Double Boiler when I come down there. It is perfect for melting chocolate over a pot of boiling water.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Amy! I definitely need to get used to the different products and temperatures down here too, before any more baking adventures!
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