Posted by:
contessa
(---.bos.east.verizon.net)
My first trip was at the Sheraton (Mullet Bay) for 5 days with friends. I was amazed by how exciting this place called St.Maarten!! Then made plans to take hubby the following year. Booked @ Le Grand in Marigot! It was like being on a plantation! Each morning we'd walk down Rue 'Dread' to the bakery and get fresh croissants and baguettes for lunch. We didn't rent a car for the first couple of days, but we did for the rest of the week so we could explore the island. And EXPLORE WE DID!! Went to Oyster Bay Hotel and it sure was an adventure!! It was like the road to Hana! Narrow and unpaved. But, the views was worth the trip. In fact, we got lost and it started getting dark. We ended up Lord only knows where!! We pulled over and there was a group of locals on the side of the road. My hubby asked how we get to O.B.H. and one of the guys said, ' no problem, I'll take you there!' And, that he did!! We followed him to the hotel. Sure wouldn't do that today!!
Remember when you had to drive to a restaurant to make reservations? Telephone?? What telephone??
I used to shop in a supermarket in Marigot that would close from noon-2pm. In fact, all the stores closed then, too!!
The LoLo's were grills w/umbrellas!! Awesome and fresh cookin' !!
One time we were @ Sam's in Phsbg with friends having drinks prior to our departure. Our friends were taking the Windjammer, so they weren't coming with us. We called for a taxi but lo and behold, there were no taxi's because it was Carnival and no taxi's were working!!! How do we get to the airport??
My brilliant hubby decided that we'd walk to the airport!! He wasn't even drinking....he doesn't drink. But, there were no other options because no one at the bar had a car!! Why did we get rid of the jeep?? Dumb, comes to mind.
So, we started our trek. Honest to goodness. After walking a few hundred steps I was wiped so I went into a little local bar and asked the young man outside if he knew of any taxi's that were working. He said he'd ask his dad, who was tending bar. His dad came out and told us there's no one working during Carnival!! However, he'd be glad to give us a ride!!! Imagine?? A complete stranger offering to drive us to the airport!! Of course, we accepted the offer. He told someone to look after the bar while he drove us. His son got in the back seat with me while hubby sat in front and chatted with this gentleman. It was the best and most memorable ride I've ever had in SXM....or anywhere else, for that matter. When we arrived at the airport hubby offered him some gas money and he wouldn't take it. He just told us to promise that we'd return. And we sure have kept our promise. BTW, hubby gave a $20.00 bill to his son, who, didn't refuse. He made out, that day!! This was in the early 80's, so a $20.00 bill went a long way!!
That was 'back in the day'........
Thanks, Barbara, for making me rekindle all those wonderful memories!!!>

<

Contessa
ps.....I'm sure I've opened a flood-gate.......more memories to return!!