Each time we return home it gets more difficult (for me!) to re-adjust to our life again. Same ol', same ol' ... you don't realize how drab winter is: brown and white (dirty snow). Where are the caribbean colors? Why aren't people walking around at night? Why is it so cooold? Why Dorothy, I must be back in Connecticut. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

We had a great time; each year gets better and better. Our timeshare is at the Caravanserai so anyone who has questions about the planned construction, PM me. Met Meg and Randy from Canada and Lyle and LInda from CT - hi folks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

These are just rambling thoughts. If I mention something that's already been posted, please forgive me.

The island is expanding without a doubt ... there is more construction going on than ever before. Traffic through Simpson Bay has increased to the point whereby a line of traffic is almost always present unless you travel through early in the morning. There is talk of building a bridge starting from the end of the runway over the water to someplace on the other side -in the Cole Bay area. We noticed they were working on the new airport building six days a weeks. Speaking of airports, the waiting room was extremely crowded when we left. For some reason, three planes were leaving all within 20 minutes of each other. And, this was the first time in three years that security did NOT stop my husband to perform a complete search of body and luggage!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Normally we get there early to check the flight and pay departure taxes. But, this year we didn't get there to do this until around noontime: fortunately, there was no line at the AA counter and we found out that our departure tax had already been taken care of by AA. Pleasant surprise.

Went to Mary's Boon for the first time and were blown away by the food! We'd read that the food was good here, but you really can't experience Mary's until you try it yourself. I kept waiting for Humphrey Bogard to walk into the room .. the ambience was superb! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

We did the usual and went to OB most days except for shopping in Phillipsburg. Had lunches and one breakfast with Andy and Cheryl. Maybe you were there the day I presented Cheryl with a bride doll that I'd made especially for her. Made of cloth and beads with a needle-sculptered face, the doll was complete was a NYC subway-card and Empire State Building charm in the wedding purse.

We ate at Rics, Peg Leg Pub, Hot Tomatoes, the Pizza Trattoria in Maho a couple of times (good food!), Kangaroo Court and the Passagrahan in Phillipsburg. And, you can't beat those wonderful croissants at the French Bakery in Simpson Bay.

Haven't read the posts yet but one, posted by Wallie. There were a couple of encounters last week in the Oyster Pond area. One happened at 5 p.m. and I don't have the particulars on it.

But I did meet the couple who were apprehended by a guy carrying a machete. I met them in Rimas. They are a couple from North Carolina who have been coming to the island since 1993 and have never had any problems. At 9:30 pm they were driving back to Oyster Pond when suddenly there was a car blocking the road. (I asked, didn't you turn the car around; didn't you roll the windows up; didn't you toot the horn? -- answers: the road was too narrow; if I'd locked the windows they would have smashed the glass; there was no one around).

They took his wallet with credit cards and money plus attempted to take a ring on his right hand, a ring that symbolized 26 years of service for his company. Apparently, they really wanted it but couldn't get it off so they bit the poor man's finger. They also managed to take the wife's ring, too, I think it was an engagement ring. When I met them in Rima's, he'd been to the hospital for a tetnus shot, and the finger was wearing a big bandage. She had bruises on her fingers and arm.

Hearing their story first hand was shocking to say the least. I can only imagine what they felt while the whole thing took place. They told me that they didn't care what was taken, as long as they were left alone and not harmed. I report here only the facts as were told to me that day. The whole incident will not keep them from returning to SXM. Neither will it for us.

That area of the island is indeed somewhat remote compared to the other areas. Perhaps if there were genamardies (sp?) patrolling the roadways in autos, something like this is less likely to happen. I don't know.

We are already planning our return trip, maybe twice next year, to celebrate a special anniversary!

Sandy and Wayne <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />