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Return to US Covid testing #279220
03/31/2022 06:47 PM
03/31/2022 06:47 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
M
mstngal Offline OP
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mstngal  Offline OP
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M
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
Hi all, I need some clarification on the necessary Covid test to return to US…is it 24 hrs prior to departure so the last day on the island is Covid testing? I saw pretty hefty fees for this, what’s the best scenario for the Simpson Bay Area?
Thank you in advance…

SXM Sponsors
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279221
03/31/2022 06:52 PM
03/31/2022 06:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 45
R
rickjames Offline
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rickjames  Offline
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R
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 45
Yes on the last day, anytime. It doesn't have to be exactly 24 hrs from departure. I used SLS lab. If you register online it's $45 , in person $55. Make sure you register for the Antigen test. Others have had good and less expensive home tests. SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location. In and out results in 45 min.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279222
03/31/2022 06:53 PM
03/31/2022 06:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
The day prior to travel to the US. I flew home on a Wed. so, I tested on Tue. Around $70 and up. I tested at SLS Labs on Hamster Dr, near the Dutch side hospital. $45 for antigen testing and & $75 for PCR. I registered and paid online. I was staying at the Atrium and from the time I left, tested and returned was about 30 minutes total and results within another 30 minutes.

SLS


J.D.
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279223
03/31/2022 06:57 PM
03/31/2022 06:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
M
mstngal Offline OP
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mstngal  Offline OP
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M
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
I feel so under-informed, what is the difference between antigen & PCR? rickjames said above to be sure to register for the antigen test

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279225
03/31/2022 07:06 PM
03/31/2022 07:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Supposedly, the PCR is more accurate. I think the antigen test is less invasive and was $30 less, an easy choice for me. Faster results with antigen tests.


J.D.
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279228
03/31/2022 07:30 PM
03/31/2022 07:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Antigen test is cheaper and results come back faster. Supposedly less accurate.


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #279230
03/31/2022 07:41 PM
03/31/2022 07:41 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
M
mstngal Offline OP
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mstngal  Offline OP
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M
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
I’m assuming the antigen test is acceptable and gets your butt in an airline seat if you test ok?

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279237
03/31/2022 08:19 PM
03/31/2022 08:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
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Bahston Offline
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Bahston  Offline
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B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
Yes, the anitgen test is all that is needed, and it gets your butt in an airline seat.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279248
04/01/2022 06:05 AM
04/01/2022 06:05 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Originally Posted by mstngal
I’m assuming the antigen test is acceptable and gets your butt in an airline seat if you test ok?

It worked fine for me and the others I was with.


J.D.
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279252
04/01/2022 07:05 AM
04/01/2022 07:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
For the Simpson Bay area (we were at SBR) across from Market Garden and below Avantica is Medworks. Online appointment for antigen test...walk in-walk out, no waiting, results in an hour or so and printed for you if needed. Better then waiting in line somewhere...

https://medcare.aw/en/covid-test-sxm/

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279259
04/01/2022 08:27 AM
04/01/2022 08:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 96
New Fairfield, CT
T
Tonythepilot Offline
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Tonythepilot  Offline
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T
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 96
New Fairfield, CT
We did BINAXNOW AG. Very easy. Buy them at home before you go to take with you. Then you don't have to worry about appointments. All you need is a decent internet connection.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: Tonythepilot] #279273
04/01/2022 10:47 AM
04/01/2022 10:47 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
M
mstngal Offline OP
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mstngal  Offline OP
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M
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
We’ll that is the best solution! I’m trying to figure out why everyone wouldn’t just buy their own BinaxNow and bring it along. Our local CVS has a 2-test kit for $23.99, seriously inexpensive….they also mention most non-Medicare/Medicaid insurance plans cover at-home Covid tests now.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279276
04/01/2022 10:52 AM
04/01/2022 10:52 AM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
sugarae Offline
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sugarae  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
We tested at Hope Estates 3/24/2022. No one ever asked to see the results when we flew on 3/25/2022.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279277
04/01/2022 10:53 AM
04/01/2022 10:53 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
mstngal--that $23.99 kit will NOT work, in all likelihood, as that is probably NOT the proctored test. A self test which is NOT proctored over the internet is not acceptable.


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: sugarae] #279278
04/01/2022 10:54 AM
04/01/2022 10:54 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
sugarae--what airline did you fly? Both times we have come home on AA, they certainly asked for that proof.


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279284
04/01/2022 11:30 AM
04/01/2022 11:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
sugarae Offline
Traveler
sugarae  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
AA

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #279285
04/01/2022 11:31 AM
04/01/2022 11:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
G
gracie5 Offline
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gracie5  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
We flew home on 3/25/22 on AA. Put the results of our Covid tests in front of the agent at the desk. She never looked at it & I even asked “don’t you need this”. Answer was no. AA is so screwed up & disorganized at the airport…it’s ridiculous.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279287
04/01/2022 11:57 AM
04/01/2022 11:57 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Re: Binax Now proctored tests...great idea if you have reliable, continuous WIFI and maybe access to a printer but that's not really needed. I felt more secure with a backup hard copy (it was checked at the gate (JB) )

Price is around $69.95 + tax and shipping for two tests...

We played safe and just went to Medworks for $70 each....one less worry. Would have no issue with the Binax if done at hone with my wifi but didn't trust the occasional signal drops in SXM. If you have great wifi then go with the proctored tests

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279289
04/01/2022 12:21 PM
04/01/2022 12:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Brunswick - Upstate NY
Islandercpl Offline
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Islandercpl  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Brunswick - Upstate NY
We used the SLS Lab across from the Royal Islander on Monday. I registered us a few days in advance....walked in Monday morning, gave our names, told to take a seat that someone would be with us shortly.....we barely sat down and the nurse was there. In and out in 8 minutes!! Yup....that's correct cuz I looked at my phone the minute we walked up to check in and as we were walking out. We paid $45.00 when we registered. Results emailed to us in less than an hour.

And by the way, United agent did look at our test results. But, we were the only ones checking in at the time......I double check the board to make sure our flight was still scheduled...LOL Thought it was strange no one else was in line. We got to the airport 3 hours before our flight.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: gracie5] #279290
04/01/2022 12:28 PM
04/01/2022 12:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
sugarae and gracie--surprising. Both times we have flown AA we had to show our test. I would never NOT do it though. Even if they checked no one else on my flight, they would check me, with my luck!


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: boucharda] #279291
04/01/2022 12:28 PM
04/01/2022 12:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
boucharda--Yeah, I worry about having great internet on island. Most of the time it's fine, but the ONE time you NEED it to work, it doesn't.


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279297
04/01/2022 12:44 PM
04/01/2022 12:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
We've flown both JB and AA since this return protocol was put in place and both airlines asked to see the forms even though no one checked them uupon arrival in the US. Both times we tested on SXM at Medworks just because we didn't want any hassle and it was easy and convenient.

We've heard many resorts now offer their own testing operations so we're planning on checking this option out before we book Medworks next trip.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279301
04/01/2022 12:49 PM
04/01/2022 12:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
M
mstngal Offline OP
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mstngal  Offline OP
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M
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
So to clarify, wifi is required to fill out the attestation form online?

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279303
04/01/2022 12:52 PM
04/01/2022 12:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,467
Central Florida!
No, the proctored test must be OBSERVED by someone over the internet in order for it to be acceptable to enter the US.


Carol Hill
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279313
04/01/2022 01:23 PM
04/01/2022 01:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by mstngal
So to clarify, wifi is required to fill out the attestation form online?

Yes. You would need wifi to do it online. I just printed out 2 forms to take with us to fill out before I leave SXM. Saves time at PJIA.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: gracie5] #279317
04/01/2022 01:58 PM
04/01/2022 01:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
sugarae Offline
Traveler
sugarae  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
Originally Posted by gracie5
We flew home on 3/25/22 on AA. Put the results of our Covid tests in front of the agent at the desk. She never looked at it & I even asked “don’t you need this”. Answer was no. AA is so screwed up & disorganized at the airport…it’s ridiculous.

EXACTLY !

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: rickjames] #279321
04/01/2022 02:22 PM
04/01/2022 02:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 139
Poconos PA
SusanD Offline
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SusanD  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 139
Poconos PA
Which sls did you use? Did you have to travel to Cole Bay?

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: SusanD] #279326
04/01/2022 03:17 PM
04/01/2022 03:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Originally Posted by SusanD
Which sls did you use? Did you have to travel to Cole Bay?

Read the entire post, they used the location at Royal Islander.

I went to the one near the hospital on Hamster Dr.

SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location


J.D.
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #279327
04/01/2022 03:30 PM
04/01/2022 03:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
I plan on using the one next to Hollywood Casino like we did this last May. Short walk and results delivered to Front desk a ourt resort that evening at 9. Not going to bother driving somewhere to have it done. ight be a little more cost than some but not a big deal.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: ruralcarrier] #279340
04/01/2022 06:38 PM
04/01/2022 06:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 139
Poconos PA
SusanD Offline
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SusanD  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 139
Poconos PA
Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by SusanD
Which sls did you use? Did you have to travel to Cole Bay?

Read the entire post, they used the location at Royal Islander.

I went to the one near the hospital on Hamster Dr.

SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location

Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by SusanD
Which sls did you use? Did you have to travel to Cole Bay?

Read the entire post, they used the location at Royal Islander.

I went to the one near the hospital on Hamster Dr.

SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location


I see that but on there website it says that they only do Travelers antigen testing at the Colby location on hamster drive. So now I’m to assume they also do it across from Maho for Travelers?

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: SusanD] #279343
04/01/2022 06:49 PM
04/01/2022 06:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
I would check to be sure. When I scheduled and was there, I was told to go to the Hamster Dr. location. It was not a big deal to go to a location near the hospital. Things can and do change quickly on the island. They (SLS) were very responsive to emails.


J.D.
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: sugarae] #281283
04/29/2022 09:36 AM
04/29/2022 09:36 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 47
NW Indiana, near Chicago
stevenbarb Offline
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stevenbarb  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 47
NW Indiana, near Chicago
sugarae - Where in Hope Estates did you get tested? I found a place called BioPole Antilles. Was it that one?

Steve

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: stevenbarb] #281299
04/29/2022 11:38 AM
04/29/2022 11:38 AM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
sugarae Offline
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sugarae  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
We were tested at the pharmacy beside the grocery store.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #281300
04/29/2022 11:48 AM
04/29/2022 11:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry Offline
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ChiTownHarry  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
If you are staying on the French side, be sure to check with the managers at the property you are staying at. At Les Balcons, there is a nurse who comes to you unit and does the test. $100 per couple.


--ChiTownHarry
Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: mstngal] #281301
04/29/2022 11:56 AM
04/29/2022 11:56 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 785
East Texas
Jaybird Offline
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Jaybird  Offline
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 785
East Texas
Marie Guiffant marie.guiffant@gmail.com will come to you by appointment and perform the test in your accomodations and give you the printed results on the spot. She charges $50 per person.We have used her 3X now and highly recommend her.Even though some of the information is filled in by hand on her form they have always been accepted by Verifly and AA.She is a nurse at an infirmary.

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: Jaybird] #281337
04/29/2022 04:23 PM
04/29/2022 04:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
We sent multiple emails to Marie (from different email addresses) and never got a response. Maybe she was away for the two weeks we were on SXM

Re: Return to US Covid testing [Re: boucharda] #281346
04/29/2022 05:43 PM
04/29/2022 05:43 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 785
East Texas
Jaybird Offline
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Jaybird  Offline
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 785
East Texas
Originally Posted by boucharda
We sent multiple emails to Marie (from different email addresses) and never got a response. Maybe she was away for the two weeks we were on SXM


I sent you a PM.


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