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Trip Report ?? #136642
07/25/2017 04:56 PM
07/25/2017 04:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575
New Jersey
ProfLangue Offline OP
Traveler
ProfLangue  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575
New Jersey
I rarely write a trip report since the one I wrote about ten years ago, specifying the restaurants my husband and I had patronized, what we ate, prices, service, etc.
I thought it would be informative, but was accused of thinking I was a food critic. I know there are trolls on every site, but still decided it was no longer worth my effort.

My husband and I had been coming to St. M since '98 and considered it, like many of you, our special place, our retreat.
When I lost him in Dec., 2011, I didn't think I could possibly return, but I did - that very first summer, along with some of his ashes that I set off from two of his favorite beaches - Friar's and Baie Rouge - to send him on another adventure.

Every year since, I bring friends with me, "losing myself" in showing them my St. M. This year was different; my second week guest had to cancel at the last minute, due to a family emergency, so when my initial guest left, I found myself "alone". I placed that in quotes because I have friends on island, both residents and those who we meet up with every year, but my actual living arrangements were solo.

So many complain about the increase in crime, etc. which is true - in fact, last Monday my friend and I were prevented from turning into a side street in Philipsburg because of police tape across the street. We later found out that an attempted robbery of a jewelry store on Front Street had occurred just prior to our arrival. But that doesn't blind me to the beauty of the island.

By being alone (at times), I experienced a catharsis; I found a new beauty on the island by not sharing it, in the moment, with someone else. Today, for instance, I went to Karakter alone (having already been to a different beach each of the past ten days). By 11:30, there were no chairs to be found, so I went to Plan B and walked to the far end to settle in at El Zafiro. What a great choice - being practically alone on the beach (two women on my far left, one man on my far right), pastis in hand, incredibly blue and green water under gorgeous blue skies, I'm now feeling the urge to travel the world alone, glomming onto the notion of being the mysterious woman. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

SXM Sponsors
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136643
07/25/2017 05:13 PM
07/25/2017 05:13 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY Offline
Traveler
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

How great for you! It must be both difficult and amazing to do what you are doing.

I am glad you found El Zafiro. We think it is great.


Rick and Grace
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136644
07/25/2017 05:15 PM
07/25/2017 05:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
L
LBI2SXM Offline
Traveler
LBI2SXM  Offline
Traveler
L
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
So many women do it now, more so than a few years ago. I have to give them a lot of credit. Go for it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: LBI2SXM] #136645
07/25/2017 05:32 PM
07/25/2017 05:32 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
kdsdance Offline
Traveler
kdsdance  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
I get it. I lost my husband in 2010. We had been travelling to SXM since 1988. I skipped 2010 but returned a year later. I'm really glad I did.
I have now learned I much prefer travelling alone to bringing a guest.

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: kdsdance] #136646
07/25/2017 05:35 PM
07/25/2017 05:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
Traveler
jazzgal  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Quote
kdsdance said:
I have now learned I much prefer travelling alone to bringing a guest.


I do, too! I have brought friends with me some trips and traveled solo other trips. I really like being able to do things on the absolute spur of the moment and not having to take anyone else's schedule into account. I suppose that sounds selfish, but it's the way I like to travel.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: jazzgal] #136647
07/25/2017 05:53 PM
07/25/2017 05:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Albany, New York
W
WWII Offline
Traveler
WWII  Offline
Traveler
W
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Albany, New York
I hope I can get up the enthusiasm to do this. I think I'm going to ask some friends to accompany me next March. I don't think I can do three whole weeks, so I might try to rent out a week on either end. I also spread some ashes on several beaches, but a friend who had always put off joining us came down and showing them all our favorite beaches, restaurants and sights made the trip a lot easier.

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136648
07/25/2017 06:07 PM
07/25/2017 06:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
B
BEERMAN Offline
Traveler
BEERMAN  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
Way to go "mysterious woman"! Put on those shades and live life! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> Cheers!!

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136649
07/25/2017 06:16 PM
07/25/2017 06:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Kudos to you, and I have to say, I'm so sorry you were made to feel uncomfortable posting here in the past. Every last one of us can see the same places and enjoy the same things yet experiencing different effects and walking away with totally different feelings and perspectives and that's okay.

I'm glad you returned (and plan to continue doing so....) and doing the solo thing is going well, and I'm with Beerman. Don those dark and mysterious glasses and enjoy your moments in any way you choose. You're entitled!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136650
07/25/2017 06:31 PM
07/25/2017 06:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
Traveler
SXMbeacher  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
I applaud your courage and fortitude! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> I would only hope my wife would do the same!........ And please try posting your trip reports again and don't worry what the 1% might say. 99% will enjoy it!



Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136651
07/25/2017 06:40 PM
07/25/2017 06:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Glad you have been able to return by yourself, and please don't let anyone prevent you from posting about your experiences..


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136652
07/25/2017 07:25 PM
07/25/2017 07:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the report.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136653
07/25/2017 08:04 PM
07/25/2017 08:04 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 99
Florida
W
WhitandTamra Offline
Traveler
WhitandTamra  Offline
Traveler
W
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 99
Florida
Thank you for posting and sharing your experience! I found it to be inspiring! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

And, as everyone else has said... Good for you!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: Carol_Hill] #136654
07/26/2017 07:41 AM
07/26/2017 07:41 AM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 108
Florida
K
Kamehameha Offline
Traveler
Kamehameha  Offline
Traveler
K
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 108
Florida
I think you're my new hero! Post away!


<a href="https://www.TickerFactory.com/">
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Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: ProfLangue] #136655
07/26/2017 09:12 AM
07/26/2017 09:12 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
Traveler
The_Lurker  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
I would love to know more about you--the mysterious woman.
I'm wondering if I could not do what you are doing and yes, you do inspire all of us.

Re: Trip Report ?? [Re: The_Lurker] #136656
07/26/2017 05:27 PM
07/26/2017 05:27 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575
New Jersey
ProfLangue Offline OP
Traveler
ProfLangue  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575
New Jersey
Wow! Thank you, everyone, for the support.
By the way, those of you who know me know my many "unique" (ahem) sunglasses are my trademark, so I don't know how I can pull off mysterious. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />


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