A quick and dirty...went to go visit my parents for a short trip. Won't bore you with the mundane family stuff, here's the meat:
Flights - FIRST time user of US Airways to SXM in 30 years of travel to the island. BWI to Philly, Philly to SXM (connect via Charlotte on the way back). Minus the god-knows-what delay at Philly's airport, everything was fine. Had to run to catch the connecting flight in Charlotte only to have it sit to wait for some other ppl from San Fran. Customs at Charlotte? WHAT A JOY compared to Miami. Yes, I realize it's a smaller point of entry, but I'm hooked. I'm flying US Air from now on. And I liked the selection of eats at the Charlotte airport, so waiting for connections won't be so bad in the future <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
I get on the island, wait for ahbout 30 minutes for our bags and go greet my dad, who was unfortunately waiting for our flight for over an hour. Took the route via Terre Basses and zipped home to Colombier.
Weather - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />
As you all know, the first few days of that week s*cked. Heavy rain like I haven't seen there ever, made it hard to sleep - it's like my parents live in a rain forest and all that vegetation amplified the rain.
Sunday and MOnday, stayed close to home, visited some family, wasted an hour of my life in traffic trying to get to RBBT. Tuesday we went to Anguilla. Weather was cloudy and windy, so no beach time. Seeing family, doing business and witnessing a march. Folks were protesting some proposal that the government has that would allow them to take people's beach front land and relocate them in the valley. Talk about imminent domain! People were mad!
Wednesday, quick trip back to Anguilla, then back to SXM where the sun decided to show it's face. Went to Orient to a place I CAN"T remember for the life of me. No matter. I won't go back. Saw 3 rats and almost lost my lunch. I know rodents are a way of life, but do i have to see them in the middle of the day 2 feet away from me while I'm eating?
Thursday and Friday, found my new beach. I was DEVESTATED at the loss of Dawn Beach, but Baie Rouge has picked up the slack. Was looking forward to Gus's but Gus (like much of grand case) was gone, so Raymond filled the bill nicely. Good eats, hella strong drinks and fun people. We will definitely be back there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" />
We did manage to eat out one nite...one of the few places open at 5pm on monday was L'escape (I think that's what it's called) - right on the water in GC. It was a GREAT meal. The food was awesome, but even better were the fun people who were eating there and the waiter who was funny beyond belief. Him and my dad chatted it up in about 3 different languages, and he made fun of me and my brother. It was great. I'll be back. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Really, there's not much else to tell. My poor brother had his direct flight to JFK canceled on Saturday AND Sunday. Our flight was delayed and it was so hot and uncomfortable. Can't wait for the new airport to open up. Took 1 hour to check in. Yikes.
Made it back to the nation's capitol to be greeted by cold weather and rain/clouds all week. Today is the first day of sunshine <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Until next trip,
Angel
