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..the good people of SXM.. #5024
08/03/2006 01:13 PM
08/03/2006 01:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
gomer's story in the Burger King thread about sharing a burger with his taxi driver makes me remember a nice memory from several years ago..

Back in the days when US Air had a nonstop from BWI, we got bumped, involuntarily. We were able to get to SJU on another carrier, then supposed to get to SXM on AA about 10:00 PM that night. They had some mechanical problems, and we ended up not landing in SXM until around midnight. As we approached SXM, the plane did a pass over the runway, certainly a somewhat odd thing at that time of night. We were seated in the rear of the plane and heard one of the stewardesses tell another stewardess, "the captain is doing a fly around to make sure that there are no planes on the runway, as the control tower people have gone home!!!" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> All the rental car people had left for the night, and all the taxis too, and the baggage people. This was a BIG plane, 757 or so, not AE. Finally, they called some taxis back to the airport, and we were finally able to snag one.

We were tired and still a little mad from being bumped, but happy to actually have still arrived the same day, even sans luggage. Our taxi driver asked if we minded going through the drive through at the KFC in Cole Bay. We laughed and said "whatever".. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> He and his brother, who had come along for the ride, chowed down on chicken and biscuits on the long ride over to the French side.

We finally arrived at LaPlantation on the french side about 1 A.M. Of course, there was no one in the office at that hour. Our taxi driver picked up the emergency phone for us and talked to the manager in French, a feat we would have never been able to accomplish! We had called Jim Ruos from SJU and asked him if he could let Plantation know that we might not be arriving that day, or that we might be late. The driver waited with us for several minutes while the manager came and let us in. When the manager arrived, he said "Oh yes, Jimmy called me, glad you were able to arrive today!!"

So, every time we pass that KFC in Cole Bay, I think about the kindness of the taxi driver that night, and of the manager of LaPlantation, and I have to smile, thinking about the good people of SXM...

What's your story??


Carol Hill
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5025
08/03/2006 01:34 PM
08/03/2006 01:34 PM

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Anonymous
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1989. I was a salews manager for a software company, I told my team if we exceeded our end of year numbers i would take them all to SXM for a week. We made it and four of my folks were able to go (none of us were married at time - so a total of 5 people). I put us up at Caravanserai, we had a blast.

One excursion was an all-dayer at Orient; yea for 5 young guys, what a day. As sunset approached we climbed into our Jeep... and a local ran up to us asking for a lift. He had a catch of about 30 fish hanging off a rope. He wanted to know if we would let him off in Grand Case, we said sure, no problem... Turns out he was an electrical engineer working in States at Electric Boat in Connecticut; was laid off, so decided to visit his grandmother in SXM for a while. He went on to say he was finding a lot of construction work, so would likely hang around for a while.

When we got to Grand Case, he asked if we wanted to meet his grandmother... we said ... well... and then who's offering us a great meal, but his grandmother who ran one of the LoLos... she had tables set up overlooking the GC Beach... we stayed for hours and the meal (and beer) was free... WOW...

:-)

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5026
08/03/2006 01:42 PM
08/03/2006 01:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,295
Vancouver, WA
Todd Offline
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Todd  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,295
Vancouver, WA
Our first trip to SXM we went to Pedro’s, our chairs were towards Club O and all was fine when a rain storm approached. We were slow to leave our chairs which put us sol on finding a chair under cover at Pedro’s. A waiter by the nickname of Buff in all the madness of everybody getting out of the rain found the time to get us two chairs and put us under the eve on the side where there was a dry spot. When a spot on a table opened up he made sure we got that spot. All the time the band was playing and was due for a break about the time the rain hit, but kept playing for a few hours longer as the party was rolling inside Pedro’s. We ate, had a few beers, and next thing I know Buff is buying us beer. The time he spent taking care of us, the kindness he showed, was just the beginning of many return trips to the island.

I am absolutely amazed by the way we have been treated on this island, amazed at who actually remembers us from trip to trip even though we might not have spent much money or time at their place.
T


I prefer the Isle seat
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. #5027
08/03/2006 01:47 PM
08/03/2006 01:47 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
DaveandMeddie Offline
Traveler
DaveandMeddie  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
Thanks for sharing the stories. Its good to remember the wonderful folks that make memories so good. Its why we choose SXM.


Dave
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. #5028
08/03/2006 01:55 PM
08/03/2006 01:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Thanks, what a nice story..


Carol Hill
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5029
08/03/2006 02:00 PM
08/03/2006 02:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
California
Bubba Offline
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Bubba  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
California
On our departure last month, in our haste, my wife left her cellphone in the room. We called L'Esplanade from the airport and they had already discovered it. It was too late for us to leave the airpor tand drive to the French side to retrieve it. They overnighted (2 days) it to us without at no charge. They did this on their own accord.


Greg
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Bubba] #5030
08/03/2006 02:13 PM
08/03/2006 02:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 110
T
Teedubb Offline
Traveler
Teedubb  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 110
Two years ago, at Oyster Bay BR, we left our video camera in the room when we left the island, and I thought it was lost forever. Sure enough, they had it, and fedexed it back to us. I appreciated the "local" help that turned it in.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5031
08/03/2006 02:20 PM
08/03/2006 02:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
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sxmmartini  Offline
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Posts: 7,461
Vermont
Years ago I spent alot of time at Guana Bay beach bar, the Guy family operated it back then and their granddaughter was planning to go to N.Y. to visit her mother. I was asked when I would be flying back to N.Y. and if I would accompany their granddaughter to N.Y. They bought her a ticket to N.Y. on my flight and I met them at the airport.
The customs in N.Y. was a little tricky (could have been the bottle of Hennesy and a carton of cigarettes in her see through backpack but when we exited JFK airport there was an entourage with open arms. She was 8 years old at the time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" />

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Teedubb] #5032
08/03/2006 02:22 PM
08/03/2006 02:22 PM

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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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A


Years back... we stayed at villa in Terres Basses... we were also leaving in haste. My fiance left her ring and other jewelry on bathroom counter. we figured all was lost. Apparently maids found it, and Carimo sent it all back to us in States...

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5033
08/03/2006 02:32 PM
08/03/2006 02:32 PM

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Around five years ago, my wife and I were staying at the Royal Palm with another couple and planned a glorious outing to Anguilla for a day. A local lady told us she went once a week and only needed a drivers license. We packed up our snorkeling gear, towels ,etc and drove to Marigot to take the ferry. As we were boarding, we were told that passports were required <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

I ran to the car parked a few blocks away, flew back to the Royal Palm, ran up to the 5th floor, opened the safe, grabbed our passports, drove like a madman back to Marigot, parked the car, and ran back to the ferry hoping to catch the NEXT departure.

Believe it or not, the same ferry was still there waiting for me. As we got on, not one person gave us an evil eyeball or even seemed to care that they had to wait because we were so dumb. After that experience, we seldom complain anymore when other people are on Island Time.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5034
08/03/2006 02:38 PM
08/03/2006 02:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,094
Ewing, NJ
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AnnandSteve Offline
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AnnandSteve  Offline
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Posts: 2,094
Ewing, NJ
2 years ago we were on island with another couple in April. They needed somewhere to stay their last two days, we recommended Summit. They went and were very happy. We were even happier when we arrived to join them for lunch, only to find Kissing Fish closing. We quickly ordered and when food arrive, Chloe said - OK see you guys later. Due to the rain, the restaurant closed, but we stayed and laughed and played cards all afternoon.
The camradarie of Chloe and Thierry bring us back every year
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Chloe & Thierry @ Kissing Fish


[Linked Image]
Ann & Steve
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. #5035
08/03/2006 02:40 PM
08/03/2006 02:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
DaveandMeddie Offline
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DaveandMeddie  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
WOW! That IS a hard one to believe.


Dave
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5036
08/03/2006 03:01 PM
08/03/2006 03:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,241
New Hampshire, USA
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WayneB Offline
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WayneB  Offline
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Posts: 1,241
New Hampshire, USA
Back in 2000, after a big day of jewelry shopping in Phillipsburg, we were at dinner at L'Alabama, and after a very nice dinner, I paid for it with the only credit card I carry. Well good old Citibank, after that shopping trip, not being warned that we were in SXM, decided to shut me off. The waiter, upon hearing it was my only card, said "No problem, come back tomorrow, and take care of it". We smiled, and out we walked. Then next day, after calling Citibank, I hit an ATM, stopped back by L'Alabama, and left the waiter with a hefty tip.

I don't think it would have gone down quite that way in the USA!

The people of SXM are great and trusting people.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5037
08/03/2006 07:24 PM
08/03/2006 07:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,156
Riverhead, NY
BobD Offline
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BobD  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,156
Riverhead, NY
WOW, what a refreshing thread this is!!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who is posting. After weeding through all the negative, crappy posts lately,this thread makes me feel good that I still spend a month a year on "The Friendly Island". And yes, all you bashers can tell me that I'm either senile or in denial, but after 20+oompteen years of going, I have way too many friends "on island" and KNOW that it is indeed a friendly island.
The wonderful, lifelong memories of this island FAR outweigh the petty negative reports that we get.
A home away from home. With respects, BobD

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: BobD] #5038
08/03/2006 07:40 PM
08/03/2006 07:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,955
NH
SandyandBill Offline
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SandyandBill  Offline
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Posts: 5,955
NH
BobD, Have to ditto that on the crappy posts. It's sad that the bad news threads get so much attention but I guess it's like a car wreck frown

On our very first trip together, we did not rent a car for the first several days. We enjoy gambling and each night, we would sample the various casinos taking a cab from the Maho. Lots of cabs in the Maho area, not so lots at 2 am at the casinos we visited. I can't tell you how many times the Security guards or employees coming off shift at the casinos carted us back to our hotel and wouldn't take a dime even for gas money.

We had another instance where we rented our first car and forgot to turn off the headlights deadening (sic) the battery. We were heading to the big Carnival parade over to P'burg. The security guard at Maho tracked down a buddy of his who had cables at home. His buddy drove to his home, retrieved the cables and off we went.

SXM People - Number One Reason for repeat trips

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5039
08/03/2006 07:59 PM
08/03/2006 07:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 164
Westbury, NY
xjames423 Offline
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xjames423  Offline
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Posts: 164
Westbury, NY
Have a couple of stories:
1)The 1st time we went to the Dawn Beach Hotel, our initial room had no working air conditioner, fan or refrigerator. We went to the office & a young man got another room for us. Later that evening he asked if we were enjoying ourselves yet & we replied that we were. Throughout the week he asked every time he saw us (incuding one evening in Grand Case when he was driving through & rolled down his car window to ask if we were enjoying ourselves).
2)Driving through Orleans, I wanted to make sure we were going in the right direction to get to Grand Case. I stopped to ask a woman directions but she spoke only French (which I don't speak). She called her friend from across the street to help us with directions because she knew he spoke English.
Since then we've met many wonderful people at various spots around the island, but those 2 from our 1st trip helped to make SXM a place we remembered for its friendliness. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5040
08/03/2006 08:42 PM
08/03/2006 08:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
On our first trip to SXM, we stayed at Le Meridien in Anse Marcel. We brought a large amount of cash with us as we had heard about the dollar for euro specials at the restaurants, and didn't know that in most cases travelers checks were just as good as cash. We always left the cash in the safe when we went out. One night we got back from dinner and realized that we had left the safe not only unlocked, but wide open. Inside were $2,000 in cash, $2,000 in travelers checks, both passports, digital camera, jewelry, and cell phones. Nothing was touched, even though the maid had definitely been in the room (clean towels and bed turned down).

Same trip, we got to the airport to leave and realized we had left our camera in the rental car. I went to the Hertz desk and told them, they called the lot, and within 5 minutes a driver was back with the camera. When I tried to tip him, he smiled and refused my money, telling me to "just come back again."

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: BobD] #5041
08/03/2006 08:57 PM
08/03/2006 08:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol_Hill  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Bob--SXM is our home away from home, yes.. The reason to return, year after year!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />


Carol Hill
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5042
08/03/2006 09:07 PM
08/03/2006 09:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
DaveandMeddie Offline
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DaveandMeddie  Offline
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Posts: 476
Southern Oregon-where life is ...
I couldn't agree more with all of these posts.

It is the reason that Meddie and I looked to move to the area in 2004. It wasn't looking for paradise, it was looking to spend more time in an area that we believe the folks are so friendly and life is very interesting.

Unfortunately we lasted only about 6 months in Anguilla before having to return to Oregon. But, guess what.....7 months after leaving SXM & Anguilla for Oregon we were BACK in St. Maarten enjoying our friends and the wonderfull island.

And yes, we have plans to keep going back. We absolutely love it, and most of all the people.


Dave
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: GaKaye] #5043
08/03/2006 09:08 PM
08/03/2006 09:08 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 282
S
SunshineAbbey Offline
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Posts: 282
My first trip to SXM was all about animals. One in particular was a large lizard with a curly pig tail . Everynight as we would turn the lights off in the villa , this lizard would crawl under the moorish door in our villa . There was a space that was open to the elements of approx. 2 inches. The first night he crawled in and climbed amongst the garbage and the garbage bag would make a krinkling noise ( drove me crazy ). I would turn on the lights and he'd skadaddle. I then put a towel under the crease in the door , he's burrough his way in and back to the garbage barrel . I finally had to take the barrel and put it on top of the counter and guess what !? He burrowed his way back in and made his way to our bed !!!!!! He scared the beejesus outa me !

I didn't have the heart to hurt him , of course , so I caught him and gave him some fruit and water in the kitchen . He became our "watch" lizard after that, guarding the house ! LOL !

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5044
08/03/2006 09:10 PM
08/03/2006 09:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 726
New Jersey
NJHarry Offline
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NJHarry  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 726
New Jersey
This is a great thread. How refreshing to read 'real people stories,' the ones that really matter. People helping people or people being PEOPLE.

Just a short story from me, about nice people and friendly people on SXM. Two years ago we are on our annual cruise, and spend the day in Orient. It's time to leave and I'm behind Bikini waiting for the taxi driver. I'm standing with a group of taxi drivers and several of them begin a conversation with me. The typical questions, where are you from, first trip to SXM, etc. During the talk, they all tell me how much we all mean to their economy and how important we are to them and how we all (americans and SXM natives) should be friends. This wasn't a 'we want your money' talk, it was a sincere discussion of how they will go out of their way to make our trip a safe, happy and fun filled time. Several gave me cards and one opened a coconut and shared the fruit with me. Just all around nice people.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5045
08/03/2006 09:44 PM
08/03/2006 09:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Carol,

Thanks for taking the time to open this thread and for sharing your personal experience.

Over 34 years of annual trips we've had many great experiences but I have to say, one of the very best happened the first year we brought our daughters, then aged about 12 and 15.

We were staying in one of the Mullet Bay villas and our girls had been out doing something....well, we looked out the window and there were our two young daughters in the middle of a group of machete wielding groundspeople in our driveway. Needless to say, this Mom's heart went into her throat for the briefest of moments (You know how it is - all those years of admonishing your kids against talking to strangers, etc....)and as we walked out the door to see what was going on, we watched as one of the groundskeepers offered a freshly opened cocanut to one of my girls so they could experience, firsthand and fresh from the fruit, their first taste of fresh cocanut milk. Smiles abounded and while we really couldn't understand completely what they were telling the girls and us, (although I think it had something to do with the fact they had climbed up into the trees to take the coconuts down so they wouldn't fall and hurt the guests???) the language of the smiles spoke volumes all the way around.

St. Maarten/St. Martin, unlike so many of the other Caribbean islands we've visited, is truly a place that will forever remain in my heart because of things of this nature that have happened over all the years we've been fortunate enough to make those annuals trips.

pat


pat
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5046
08/04/2006 12:20 AM
08/04/2006 12:20 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,879
outside Chicago
BeaconHillAndrea Offline
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BeaconHillAndrea  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,879
outside Chicago
Alright, I'll tell it again here b/c it does belong in such a post. (sorry to those who have heard it one too many times before)

35+ years ago my parents (in their mid 30's) were on a Caribbean Windjammer cruise that ran into some very bad weather and as a result became quite disabled. (When my parents relayed the story to us kids they said it was pretty frightening.) The boat was taking on a bit of water and was in dire straits to get ashore quickly. St. Maarten was the closest island to them at the time. Somehow, word got out to the local residents that the boat was trying to make it ashore.

So, thankfully, with the help of the passengers doing a lot of serious work, the boat did make it ashore to Philipsburg. Waiting for them was a crowd or local residents waiting to help take in the passengers.

A local couple, Howard & Evelyn (in their late 50's), took in my parents and another couple traveling with them. H & E were actually American artists (and retired attorney) from La Porte, Indiana, who had moved to St. Maarten to enjoy life and work on their art. They offered my parents and their friends beds in their cottages. H & E were leaving the island the next day for a 2 week vacation. So, they told my parents and friends to enjoy as long of a stay as they wished, just tidy up before leaving, and leave them $10 to cover any utility usage. My parents and friends stayed out the remaining planned trip of less than a week.

Upon returning to the States my parents of course sent H & E a letter thanking them profusely for their kindness and generosity. They all contined to keep in touch. H & E invited my parents down to visit them in SXM many times over the next several years. And, my parents went. H & E introduced them to all their local friends. My parents considered all of them family. When H & E decided to move back to the states, they offered to sell their SXM property to my parents. My parents jumped at that offer. [Linked Image] Thanks mom and dad - and thanks Howard & Evelyn!

We, as a family, continued to visit H & E in their new home in Ft. Myers. Over the years they both made us many peices of beautiful artwork (he a sculpture and she a painter) that each of my family members cherish dearly to this day.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Howard has since died and Evelyn is now in a nursing home in Ohio. They have no surving family members. However, my mothers still keeps in touch with Evelyn through the letters she writes her and the pictures of SXM we still send her.


peace. [Linked Image]
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: BeaconHillAndrea] #5047
08/04/2006 06:20 AM
08/04/2006 06:20 AM

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Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A


Few years ago when I was living in SXM, I went out to The Bliss Nightclub on a saturday night, and several hours later, towards the wee morning hours, the friends I had come with were no were to be seen. To make things worse the money I had in my pocket had fallen out. I maanaged to get a ride with some guys to the Texaco gas station in Cole Bay, hoping I could make a call to some friends to come and pick me up. The man behind the counter Glen allowed me to make a few calls, which no one answered. I told him about my rough night, and the kind gentleman he was, he offered me a beverage, some food, and even called a taxi and gave me $10 for the taxi ride back home. That was probably the best gesture of kindness I have experienced in my life, and even though I do not live in SXM anymore, I still call it HOME!

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5048
08/04/2006 08:38 AM
08/04/2006 08:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,041
In beautiful Naples
contessa Offline
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contessa  Offline
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Posts: 14,041
In beautiful Naples
Good thread, Carol!
Here's one of mine:
On our last day of our first trip to SXM we met up with friends at Sam's on Front St. for our goodbyes! Time passed and it was time to call a taxi for our trip to the airport. Lo and behold it was Carnivale and Front St. was closed as were the surrounding streets. NO TAXI'S available!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Panic set in and none of us had a car.....back in those days. So, Sword comes up with a great idea......let's start walking! To the freakin' airport??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> 'Sure', says he.....'there's bound to be a taxi between here and the airport!' Yeah, right!! Don't know what we were thinking, but I agreed (must have been the strong drinks at Sam's ). So, off we go dragging our luggage, no wheels back in the day, shlepping them in that heat!! We must have gotten a few hundred feet from our gang when I just knew this was an impossible task! I saw a little boy, around 5-6 yrs. old and asked him if he could get one of his parents to make a call to a taxi. Out came his dad, (a local St.Maartener, we later found out) and listened to our plight. He didn't think it was a problem because he had a car and would be glad to give us a lift to the airport!! We didn't want to bother him, so asked if he had a magic way of calling a taxi. No, he insisted he drive us!! So, his little boy and he helped us with our luggage and gave us a lift!! We offered him some money which he refused, but as we were getting out of the car managed to toss into the car! We left SXM with promises to return.....not because of the wonderful vacation we had just left, but the warmth and generosity of this gentleman. My only regret was that we didn't get his name. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> If he or his son are reading this forum, I wish they'd send me a P.M. They lived on the Back St. area.
And so began our love story with SXM....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/newyears.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

BTW.....I have many, many more........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5049
08/04/2006 09:42 AM
08/04/2006 09:42 AM
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kayceeRhino Offline
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Well I might as well add my favorite SXM story...
When I was checking into my place at La Vista I returned to my rental car and couldn't get the damn thing started. One local man walked up and tried to help me up with little success. Then another local riding by on his bicycle, hair up like a true rasta man, came over, opened the hood, checked the air filter, and checked God knows what else. These patient men, who I had never met, and in all honesty probably would not have even acknowledged, worked on the car for 20 minutes before I borrowed one of their phones to call Mickey....
Ends up I forgot about the kill switch in the glove box! Thinking they would have been pissed that they wasted their time with a dumb tourist, instead they stood there and laughed with me.....I'll never forget that.
While I detest the crime, the traffic and the overbuilding that have begun to plague the island, I KNOW the people are the best thing going for SXM.
Hope to be back in 2007 for the 14th time.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5050
08/04/2006 10:53 AM
08/04/2006 10:53 AM
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Barnegat NJ
NYJanice Offline
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A few of years ago my husband needed emergency retinal surgery while in SXM. We were directed to a wonderful specialist who even provided a post surgery check up on Sunday. But the best thing was that the employees at The Towers were all praying for my husband, and asking their church members to help. It helped just knowing there were so many good people thinking of us.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Carol_Hill] #5051
08/04/2006 12:32 PM
08/04/2006 12:32 PM

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Carol ... save this thread... :-)

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. #5052
08/04/2006 06:15 PM
08/04/2006 06:15 PM
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SandyandBill Offline
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Quote
Anonymous said:
Carol ... save this thread... :-)


I agree, lots of nice stories, many of which I had not heard. Although the great meals and beautiful views are probably priorities on our vacation selections, I think the memories of laughs, friendships and kindness(es) extended will be forever remembered.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: SandyandBill] #5053
08/04/2006 06:29 PM
08/04/2006 06:29 PM
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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Sandy,

I second your thoughts, completely.

A few weeks ago I seem to recall a thread, "Why St. Maarten (St. Martin?)?". Wouldn't these all have been wonderful responses?

Hi, Bill. How's that new section of lawn doing?

pat
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: pat] #5054
08/04/2006 06:42 PM
08/04/2006 06:42 PM
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Pat, Yes, I guess St. Maarten isn't for everyone for whatever reason but we've been very fortunate enough to enjoy the company of many locals and fellow visitors. I don't think I've laughed so much as during our dinner. I doubt people observing would realize it was our first time meeting. Thank you Carol & Eric!

Believe it or not, he's taking two days off to work on the 'new' section. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" />

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: pat] #5055
08/04/2006 06:45 PM
08/04/2006 06:45 PM
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Posts: 352
McLean, VA
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While staying at La California 9/05 we watched on a Sunday afternoon as the locals gathered for BBQ and boat races. (Pics posted on previous threads.) They left a lot of trash on the beach. Later in the PM a local who lived on the beach began picking up the liter. I walked down to the beach, thanked him for his service and gave him $20. His eyes lit up, a big toothless grin crossed his face and he gave me a hug. The boaters had no idea of the mess they left, but for some reason this fellow thought a need to remedy the problem.

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: SandyandBill] #5056
08/04/2006 06:49 PM
08/04/2006 06:49 PM
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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Ditto from CT but which dinner were you refering to? The one we planned or the one you crashed?

This really was a great idea for a thread and I have to agree about our St. Maarten meeting. Thanks for a few great evenings, and hopefully, the promise of more to come. Less than a month now to Oahu....getting psyched.

pat
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: pat] #5057
08/04/2006 06:57 PM
08/04/2006 06:57 PM
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NH
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Both! Have a ball in Hawaii!!

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: WayneB] #5058
08/05/2006 12:11 AM
08/05/2006 12:11 AM
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Bellevue, WA
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Larry Offline
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That kind of consideration continues today.

We stopped, on a whim, at Poulet d'Orleans for dinner on our way back to Pelican from Orient one evening on our trip last month. We were the only customers. We had a wonderful dinner and sat around discussing island life for about an hour after dinner. The bill was about $70 US. I had about $30 in small bills and a $100 bill from the Casino. He did not have change for the $100 and volunteered, "Give me what you have in small bills and drop off the rest the next time you go by, or just leave it in the mail box." We did stop by and drop it off the next day.

We tried to return a little of that helpfulness one day at Orient. We were sitting on the beach near our room at Club O on Sunday afternoon when we were approached sheepishly by a couple asking if we knew how they could get a key for their car. He, a Dutch expatriot living in St. Martin and his visiting Canadian lady friend, had been at the beach while he went out racing a sailboat and lost his car keys overboard. They weren't planning on doing anything but sunning and sailing so didn't have any cash or cards with them and no keys to get in their car. He said he had spare keys at home on the hill above Divi, so I drove him home to get his keys and he brought another car back, just in case those did not work.

Of course it was the lady friend who approached Gretchen to ask if she know how they could make arrangements to solve the problem...guys don't ask strangers for help! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/busted.gif" alt="" />

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Larry] #5059
08/05/2006 12:45 AM
08/05/2006 12:45 AM
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Minnesota
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shaylamn Offline
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Just out of curiousity..........if your bill was $70 and you only had $100 why didn't you just give it to them? My calculations are 20% of $70 is $14. Total bill of $84. So you would have left them an extra $16 but instead insisted on using your small change and dropping the balance off?? NONSENSE!!! r u kidding? Nice on the part of the locals, but cheap on the part of you! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by shaylamn; 08/05/2006 01:49 AM.
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: shaylamn] #5060
08/05/2006 12:59 AM
08/05/2006 12:59 AM
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Minnesota
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shaylamn Offline
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seriously though....I didn't mean to be sound rude, however you are the one who said "we tried to return a little bit of that helpfullness" I can't get over this. If my bill is $70 and all i have is $30 in "small bills" and $100 bill, I would chose to leave the local an additional $16 in a tip instead of "returning the helpfullness" by driving him somewhere. I would have given him the extra tip, plus driven him wherever he needed to go. I don't understand where you are coming from. What exactly did you do that was so wonderful???

Last edited by shaylamn; 08/05/2006 01:50 AM.
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: shaylamn] #5061
08/05/2006 01:20 AM
08/05/2006 01:20 AM
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Posts: 165
St. Maarten
Hpluv Offline
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Aaaaaah thats just the way we are....at least most of us.
I feel compelled to share this letter that was sent to the daily herald.
http://www.simadom.com/anselmo.htm

Luv Y'all
www.simadom.com

Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: Hpluv] #5062
08/05/2006 01:32 AM
08/05/2006 01:32 AM
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Posts: 102
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shaylamn Offline
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This is exactly what I feared......being taken the wrong way. My intent was trying to defend the people that inhabit this wonderful island. My response was to the person who had a $70 tab, yet chose to "return the favor" and give somebody a ride home instead of tipping an extra $16. Nice to give somebody a ride home, however acting like you did somebody a favor bothers me. Why not do both? I've had locals give me a ride home safely for no charge. They refused to take my "small change"

Last edited by shaylamn; 08/05/2006 01:53 AM.
Re: ..the good people of SXM.. [Re: shaylamn] #5063
08/05/2006 01:42 AM
08/05/2006 01:42 AM
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Posts: 102
Minnesota
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shaylamn Offline
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One last comment........I've taken the time to actually figure it out and 20% of $70 is $84. U saved $16?????
WOW!!!! Instead you agreed to give him your $30 in small bills and dropped the rest off later? I've RARELY commented on this board, but this put me over the edge!! I guess I'll overtip next time just to make up for people like u. Not much shocks me on this board, but this does. It's almost funny!!!

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