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Re: Very sad
[Re: bran]
#224341
04/10/2020 02:02 PM
04/10/2020 02:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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Interesting. I just saw what looked like to be a private jet take off from Juliana.
Carol Hill
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#224352
04/10/2020 02:53 PM
04/10/2020 02:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,909
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,909
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Interesting. I just saw what looked like to be a private jet take off from Juliana. Flightpath Charter Airways, en route to Wilmington, DE.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: SammyM]
#224397
04/11/2020 05:46 AM
04/11/2020 05:46 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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My SXM taxi driver friend of 29 years, who has been through many hurricanes and rebuilds, says in his opinion, this will be a much tougher recovery since it impacts more than just the island and a rebuild. This is pretty much worldwide, has impacted cruises, airlines, people's health, finances, retirement accounts, jobs, etc. I want to hope he is wrong for the sake of the island, but he makes a very valid point.
Hey, and it was just 5 weeks ago Monday we ran into each other at Rosie's. How things have changes is almost unbelievable.
J.D.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: bran]
#224439
04/11/2020 11:54 AM
04/11/2020 11:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
SammyM
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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It is stunning, J.D. In some ways I feel quite fortunate that I was able to enjoy St. Martin once again, slipping under the wire before things came crashing down. Almost a bit guilty that I got there one last time, while others have had to cancel or postpone upcoming visits. But, I recall how terrible I felt back in September, 2017 when Irma struck and thinking "it's going to be years before we can get there." But, then I realized the suffering and economic loss that the people on the island must have been experiencing and I realized that any disruption to my personal plans in no way measured up to what those folks were going through. So, my wife and I vowed to get back to SXM every year without exception once things returned to some degree of normal. I believe the same applies here. If all of us make that pledge to get back St. Martin will recover once again. The people on St. Martin, from my experiences, are a pretty resilient group and I'm confident they'll bounce back. Already looking at 2021 dates for our next visit, and hopefully COVID-19 will be on the back burner by then.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: SammyM]
#224453
04/11/2020 01:22 PM
04/11/2020 01:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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They are resilient, no doubt about that but this is way more far-reaching than a hurricane. I would try to go back late fall but I really doubt it will come together so hopefully 2021.
J.D.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: bran]
#224462
04/11/2020 02:28 PM
04/11/2020 02:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 734
bran
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OP
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Posts: 734
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I am just wondering how on earth are the restaurants going to survive, especially if they force most to observe social distancing and reduce tables by 50%. And you know how small some of the places are we visit? Now on the other hand, quite a few restaurants do close in July and come back anyway in October, so yes, they will have lost part of March-June income, could be worse. I just hope the Landlords give them a break but speaking with a few owners after Irma, that wasn't the case, but this time can the Government force the Landlords to do so, I doubt it. And then of course if rescue funds do come in from France/Holland, can we rely on the authorities to dole the money out properly? Most in the US still haven't received their checks, three weeks after the announcement and many won't at all. What a mess. I have spoken to two owners on the French side and its not ethical for me to mention them but a few are thinking of literally walking(running) as soon as they are able, as first Irma, then this, but their main concern is another hurricane and think its time, rather than not wish what could happen and be a doomster like so many others, but for the sake of their sanity, look elsewhere. I totally understand their thinking as there is so much one can take. Feel for so many there.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: bran]
#224465
04/11/2020 03:16 PM
04/11/2020 03:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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bran--I think it is very obvious that many restaurants, in SXM and the US, will go out of business. Small businesses everywhere will be the biggest casualty of this whole situation.
Carol Hill
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Re: Very sad
[Re: bizzottom]
#224484
04/12/2020 06:06 AM
04/12/2020 06:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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Same here. 3 days cut off for me. I would consider late Oct. to mid. Nov. if things are in order and the price is right. Good luck.
J.D.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#224500
04/12/2020 11:28 AM
04/12/2020 11:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 520 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 520
Eastern Caribbean
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Interesting. I just saw what looked like to be a private jet take off from Juliana. Airplanes are now so infrequent I usually get up and go have a look. "Look, Ma, one a them newfangled flying machines!"
Last edited by Ritchard; 04/12/2020 12:22 PM.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Ritchard]
#224504
04/12/2020 11:50 AM
04/12/2020 11:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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Ritchard--you are on SXM, is that correct? Regarding the airport, is it your impression that the airport is definitely closed to incoming traffic until around the first of June, based on the airport stating they were doing a two month hibernation?
Carol Hill
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#224505
04/12/2020 11:55 AM
04/12/2020 11:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 520 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 520
Eastern Caribbean
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Ritchard--you are on SXM, is that correct? Regarding the airport, is it your impression that the airport is definitely closed to incoming traffic until around the first of June, based on the airport stating they were doing a two month hibernation? I'm still here, yes. I'm afraid I can't comment on the airport, I have no up-to-date info at all. We're just sitting still hoping they don't lock down the French Side like the Dutch Side. We're just north of the border in the lagoon. We still have a little bit of ability to move around for essentials, groceries, doctor/pharmacy visits, walking the dog. We get out for an hour a day. Our friends on the Dutch side are not so lucky.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Ritchard]
#224507
04/12/2020 11:59 AM
04/12/2020 11:59 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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OK, I actually didn't realize that one could still move about on the French side. French side took it more seriously to begin with and I guess has it more under control as a result. Best wishes.
Carol Hill
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Re: Very sad
[Re: bran]
#224512
04/12/2020 12:34 PM
04/12/2020 12:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,909
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,909
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The French-side lockdown isn't as tight as the Dutch-side. With a permit (derogation certificate) you can move around for specific purposes such as shopping for food, picking up to-go food, exercise (not in groups, 1 hour max, no more than 1km from home), or pet needs. It can be downloaded from the Prefect's office and printed, you can write the entire thing on a piece of paper, or there's a site where you can fill in an electronic copy on your phone. It's good for 1 hour, and the date/time when you left home has to be filled in. The Gendarmes do check certificates, and they are fining violators.
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Re: Very sad
[Re: Bahston]
#224515
04/12/2020 01:28 PM
04/12/2020 01:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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Bahston--I knew that was the case early on, that one could travel with permission, but guess I wasn't paying attention, thought that when the Dutch side went to full shutdown, that the French side did also.
Carol Hill
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