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French side protest today #211009
12/12/2019 10:31 AM
12/12/2019 10:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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Central Florida!


Carol Hill
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Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211013
12/12/2019 11:05 AM
12/12/2019 11:05 AM
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bran Offline
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Oh boy.. arrived on the Ferry from Anguilla early. On the way to Sandy Ground. Saw smashed cars with windscreens taken out. Police by the market By the market just standing there. Turned round.. tried to get round the back of Marigot, streets blocked off again Police doing nothing. Now at Arawak Restaurant just waiting. Nobody knows what to do. Trying to get to Terres Basses and someone said that Bellevue is clear and then take the causeway, but not sure how to get there from here. Madness!!! In for a long day.

Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211014
12/12/2019 11:11 AM
12/12/2019 11:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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bran--sorry to hear that. Hope you can get out of there soon.


Carol Hill
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211019
12/12/2019 11:32 AM
12/12/2019 11:32 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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Auburn, WA
Oh man. What a mess. Good luck. Just hope violence doesn't break out too.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211024
12/12/2019 12:33 PM
12/12/2019 12:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
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The PPRN is a way of taking land by expropriation... Think Club Orient for example!

Re: French side protest today [Re: sxmmartini] #211028
12/12/2019 12:54 PM
12/12/2019 12:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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I'm really not that familiar with all the workings of Club Orient, but I really don't think that the PPRN is the main problem there. From my understanding, the PPRN IS a big problem in local areas like Sandy Ground, where people are being prohibited from rebuilding.


Carol Hill
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211029
12/12/2019 01:44 PM
12/12/2019 01:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
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jeepers Offline
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Cobourg Ontario Canada
Not too smart with 5 ships in port. French side have enough issues & people come to that market in Marigot. Those stalls & restaurants will suffer as well as tour buses. Not good

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211031
12/12/2019 01:49 PM
12/12/2019 01:49 PM
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bran Offline
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Made it back safely. I saw a destroyed car that obviously had been decimated recently by whoever, collected by a pick up truck that was originally blocking the road. Had to go over the bridge route. What I can’t understand is why the Polive just allow this to happen. When we had originally tried to go the Sandy Ground way, 2 cars in front of me I saw at least 20 youths tipping a car over to obstruct the road. Now initially, stupid me thought, how nice, they are moving the car out of the way, thinking it had conked out, hence the traffic, they were actually pushing ot towards the bridge to stop vehicles from entering. I heard later from a cop who actually understood and spoke some English that they had initially blocked that area with a bus!! I just didn’t have it in me to question what exactly they are doing in this situation but from what I saw, absolutely nothing!
We turned round very quickly and got the hell out. hate to think if there was some people in the car that they turned over and what happened to them? For the first time ever, got a bad feeling and wonder if there is just some terrible incident that will occur in the near future. Eerie feeling and Marigot was dead, no business’s doing any business, some had just closed and asking the owners and waiters who some had to walk into work up to at least one hour just about at their wits end with all these recent strikes. Arahawak also no longer do breakfasts, can’t afford to pay the cook from early in the morning until 11.30. A sign of the times we are in. Not good. Sad for the people who try so hard.
Did though by going a different route back find Sublime. Yes, not the best location, took a menu away to study as just wanted to get the hell back. Safe but did feel extremely uncomfortable at the time.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211033
12/12/2019 01:50 PM
12/12/2019 01:50 PM
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bran Offline
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Sorry about the spelling....

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211035
12/12/2019 02:40 PM
12/12/2019 02:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
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sxmmartini Offline
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The Dutchside would only do a land grab for possible airport or public road expansion. The Frenchside could do a land grab to take property for the State. For example AW33 Orient Beach where an AOT was given leasing the land for 5 Beach Bars. That land was Beauperthuy land and was taken in court when Beauperthuy died and the heirs went to court.

Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211037
12/12/2019 03:01 PM
12/12/2019 03:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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bran--glad you made it back safe. Sounds scary..


Carol Hill
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211038
12/12/2019 03:04 PM
12/12/2019 03:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
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Bahston Offline
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Re: French side protest today [Re: Bahston] #211039
12/12/2019 03:11 PM
12/12/2019 03:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Wow. Not good.


Carol Hill
Re: French side protest today [Re: Bahston] #211043
12/12/2019 03:41 PM
12/12/2019 03:41 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
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sxmmartini Offline
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Last edited by sxmmartini; 12/12/2019 03:54 PM.
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211053
12/12/2019 04:35 PM
12/12/2019 04:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
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Portland, OR
Yep - link works.


[Linked Image]
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211054
12/12/2019 04:45 PM
12/12/2019 04:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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Update....10 minutes ago got a call from Tropicana telling us not to come tonight for dinner. She can see fires burning from where she lives and Be Kool opposite has closed the shutters as a precaution and doesn’t know if he will open tonight and nor do they. WTF is going on ?
So will possibly try nowhere special if traffic is not insane unless you guys tell me differently.....

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211055
12/12/2019 04:48 PM
12/12/2019 04:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Thanks for the link....sad day in Sandy Bottom and an interesting look at the Gendamererie AND interesting comments by a local that is filming

Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211056
12/12/2019 04:52 PM
12/12/2019 04:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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If you made it out to safety, there is NO WAY that you should go back over to Marigot.

Does anyone know if the Quarter-d'Orleans side is open and passable?


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211057
12/12/2019 05:01 PM
12/12/2019 05:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
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Re: French side protest today [Re: BeachKitten] #211058
12/12/2019 05:07 PM
12/12/2019 05:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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Originally Posted by BeachKitten
If you made it out to safety, there is NO WAY that you should go back over to Marigot.

Does anyone know if the Quarter-d'Orleans side is open and passable?


I just learned that the answer is "no". frown

A mini tour bus managed to get back through Oyster Pond but apparently that was blocked off later


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side protest today [Re: sxmmartini] #211059
12/12/2019 05:14 PM
12/12/2019 05:14 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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Originally Posted by sxmmartini


From that video it appears that perhaps you could get through from the Galisbay side?


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211090
12/13/2019 01:43 AM
12/13/2019 01:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
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Looks like violence erupted with schools closed tomorrow.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211096
12/13/2019 03:46 AM
12/13/2019 03:46 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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PelicanPirate Offline
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So, what are the prognostications? One day issue? One week issue? One month issue?

Will be on the French side transiting most times through Marigot and the causeway. Any violence against drivers or just burning tires and cars?

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211101
12/13/2019 08:05 AM
12/13/2019 08:05 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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Yea, anyone know if this is continuing today? So Yesterday, was on the way to Nowhere Special at 5 pm. Got to the roundabout leading into Puerto Cupecoy and Police we’re stopping each car from basically going into France. The traffic must have been backed up for miles. Spoke to the officer who says Dutch side no problem but couldn’t guarantee the situation for us getting back home not to mention how long it could take from the Restaurant. Took no chances and first had a drink at Steviez whilst I walked around wondering where to eat as I was starving. Not a great fan of Mario’s as I think they are overpriced....$15.00 for hummus? Plus lacking in atmosphere. Checked their menu out again and my thoughts haven’t changed. Altrios wasn’t impressed the last time and Rendevous too casual. That leaves a Chinese place and Mama Pizza.
Went in and saw the chef and asked if they could do a soup for the wife. No problem, where are you they said as we will get some veggies from the grocery. Wow I thought. 10 mins later wife had a fantastic pea and cauliflower creamy soup and I had eggplant parmigiana followed by mussels and gnocchi in cream sauce then Tiramisu coffees and drinks. Well priced, great service and not just a Pizza place. By the way, the Christmas decorations and how the whole area is beautifully lit up is nicely done and there is security everywhere. When leaving no police or traffic and home in 3 minutes.

Attached Files 32577C41-5981-4894-AE64-6BF15C9673C6.jpeg727AF9DB-7273-489A-B7E4-087D523DF979.jpeg301B8CB8-9FCB-4F17-ACA3-E48B52C9F99D.jpeg
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211102
12/13/2019 08:09 AM
12/13/2019 08:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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Forgot to mention. Mama only takes cash. And Steviez when I gave her a $50.00 note for the drinks she gave me change of Euros and dollars but the euros did me short by about $1.11. Not a big deal but that’s all she had in the draw. Would take a CC but for a 5% charge. I told her to get the change as didn’t want euros. She eventually did so!!

Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211104
12/13/2019 08:24 AM
12/13/2019 08:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
There was no traffic in Cupecoy yesterday. If Dutch police were turning you back it's because of the violence happening in Sandy ground and blocked roads everywhere. THIS is what they helped you miss.

https://www.facebook.com/SXMLATESTN...STE3ODMyNDEwNjM6MTAyMTI0NDY4ODE0ODU0MjU/


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: French side protest today [Re: BillandElaine] #211107
12/13/2019 08:30 AM
12/13/2019 08:30 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
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sxmmartini Offline
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Originally Posted by BillandElaine
There was no traffic in Cupecoy yesterday. If Dutch police were turning you back it's because of the violence happening in Sandy ground and blocked roads everywhere. THIS is what they helped you miss.

https://www.facebook.com/SXMLATESTN...STE3ODMyNDEwNjM6MTAyMTI0NDY4ODE0ODU0MjU/


OMG 🌴

http://www.lepelican-journal.com

Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211111
12/13/2019 09:44 AM
12/13/2019 09:44 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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St Maarten
Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin
13 hrs ·
[demonstration of December 12]

DENY:

The borders with the Dutch part have not been closed.
The Prefecture asked for the kpsm (Korps Politie Sint Maarten) to guide people and prevent them from engaging on blocked roads.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: French side protest today [Re: bran] #211112
12/13/2019 09:47 AM
12/13/2019 09:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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bran--thanks for the report. You stay safe!


Carol Hill
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211193
12/13/2019 06:06 PM
12/13/2019 06:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
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We're currently staying in Orient Village and have to get to the airport Sunday. Supposedly 300 military and extra gendarmes have arrived. If the situation isn't resolved by tomorrow we'll have to make different plans. As of this morning the roads were blocked going into Grand Case near the rumble strips and in French Quarter near the gas station. If we have to, we'll leave the rental car here and take the ferry from Anse Marcel to the airport.


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: French side protest today [Re: Biturbo] #211194
12/13/2019 06:22 PM
12/13/2019 06:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
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sxmmartini Offline
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On Social Media there is a couple staying at Grand Case Beach Club who hired a boat to get them to the airport...

Re: French side protest today [Re: sxmmartini] #211198
12/13/2019 06:38 PM
12/13/2019 06:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
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Trouble is, we can't get Grand Case.


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211200
12/13/2019 07:00 PM
12/13/2019 07:00 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10
Upstate NY
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sxmfantoo Offline
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Also staying in Orient and leaving Monday. Is there a regular ferry that runs from Anse Marcel to Simpson Bay?

Re: French side protest today [Re: Biturbo] #211201
12/13/2019 07:01 PM
12/13/2019 07:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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The boat leaves from Anse Marcel TRANSFERT ANSE MARCEL—> JULIANA AIRPORT
50€/pers.
DÉPART 10pers
0690651640


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: French side protest today [Re: Biturbo] #211202
12/13/2019 07:04 PM
12/13/2019 07:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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Check you messages


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211204
12/13/2019 07:18 PM
12/13/2019 07:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
DFW
leonard Offline
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My flight is Saturday and I’m also stuck in Orient Bay. Where are folks getting the most up to date info about the blockages? Google maps shows a way to get thru French Quarter via back streets unless the blockage is south of Rue Chic Chic.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211205
12/13/2019 07:26 PM
12/13/2019 07:26 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Online content
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We had some people that were staying at Esmeralda and had to take a boat today to get the Airport.
The car is safe but can't pick it up till things cleared up.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211225
12/14/2019 01:28 AM
12/14/2019 01:28 AM
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Posts: 42
NY
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We are the couple that Lesley was referring to above. Roads blocked on both sides and Esmeralda arranged for a boat to take 12 of us from Anse Marcel to Nettle Bay, just past the barricades. We were then able to take a taxi through Terre Basse to the airport. Almost missed our flight.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211230
12/14/2019 04:00 AM
12/14/2019 04:00 AM
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Posts: 5
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leonard Offline
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I was able to drive out from orient bay to the Dutch side just now. N7 is blocked just after rumble strips at Grand Case still but I was able to go though town by driving around the airport. There were smoldering piles north of Marigot to drive around carefully and the roundabout was really littered with debris all over, be careful. Debris scattered all thru Marigot. Gendarme checkpoint just south of Marigot way out of the French side at Bellevue, they were looking in all cars for petrol cans etc.

Get out right now, you won’t be able to later after folks wake up and rebuild the barricades.

Re: French side protest today [Re: Carol_Hill] #211234
12/14/2019 07:54 AM
12/14/2019 07:54 AM
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Posts: 601
PA
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For what it's worth Orient was quiet yesterday (Friday the 13th) and almost normal on the beach except for fewer people than normal. Cedrick was missing on Club O beach but Randy of Perch lite filled in for him as well as serving sandwiches and drinks. Nice crowd in the village last night but no problem getting a table around 6PM (yes I know that's early).

We did have a helluva time getting to Orient (Club Fantastico) Thursday night. Alain's son warned us about the blockades when we picked up our car rental at AAA so we went through P'Burg and Oyster Pond. Still were blocked in Orleans but a wonderful local named Rudy guided us around it on his motorbike. (He said that he actually likes Americans, guess that's not typical?)

Attached Files perchlite.jpg
Last edited by ChuckG; 12/14/2019 07:57 AM.

Chuck and Joni
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