same time as Carol and I, so I called him in St. Louis and we made plans to meet. Also found that he was an Industrial Arts teacher for years and enjoyed stained glass, as I do. He posted a photo of himself and his wife online and I have a photo of me on both forums. I knew I would be able to recognize him as soon as I saw him. We set up a meeting for La Bamba Beach Bar on the Dutch side of St. Martin, near the Pelican Marina resort where we were staying. He told us he always goes there on Sunday nights for rock and roll. We arrived at 6:30 PM and found a table that would seat 6 near the band stand. Gave our drink orders to the waiter and enjoyed the recorded music. About 6:45 Norm and his wife arrived. Knew him right away as he headed to our table. I was wearing the same shirt that I had on in my online photo. Introductions followed, food orders were taken and we talked as if we were old friends, which we were. Then Bill and Elaine arrived. Had no idea they were going to be there and knew them immediately from their photo on TTOL. They are residents of the island having moved to St. Martin 2 years ago from New England. Bill teaches science at the local University near Philipsburg. They love their transplanted life on the island. After half an hour Bill and Elaine said goodbye and the rest of us enjoyed rock and roll music, featuring lead singer Bob who we know as Craig, since we rent beach chairs and umbrella from him every year. Quite an evening meeting online friends for the first time. We'll keep in touch and meet again when we frequent the island the same time. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo shows Karen and Barry in the rear, Carol and me in the middle and Norm and Betty in the front.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The "Meeting Friends on the Internet" Story
It was an ordinary day. Just met SXMNorm. I have been following TravelTalkOnline (TTOL) and smxtravelforum (smx) for a few years. They are both online travel forums about a few of the Caribbean islands. I look at both of them a few times a week and sometimes participate in the exchange of information on the sites. Last year I competed in a photo contest on the smx site and got to correspond with Norm who also had entered the contest. I was lucky enough to win the contest and have been corresponding with Norm ever since that time. I found out that he was going to be in St. Martin at the 
same time as Carol and I, so I called him in St. Louis and we made plans to meet. Also found that he was an Industrial Arts teacher for years and enjoyed stained glass, as I do. He posted a photo of himself and his wife online and I have a photo of me on both forums. I knew I would be able to recognize him as soon as I saw him. We set up a meeting for La Bamba Beach Bar on the Dutch side of St. Martin, near the Pelican Marina resort where we were staying. He told us he always goes there on Sunday nights for rock and roll. We arrived at 6:30 PM and found a table that would seat 6 near the band stand. Gave our drink orders to the waiter and enjoyed the recorded music. About 6:45 Norm and his wife arrived. Knew him right away as he headed to our table. I was wearing the same shirt that I had on in my online photo. Introductions followed, food orders were taken and we talked as if we were old friends, which we were. Then Bill and Elaine arrived. Had no idea they were going to be there and knew them immediately from their photo on TTOL. They are residents of the island having moved to St. Martin 2 years ago from New England. Bill teaches science at the local University near Philipsburg. They love their transplanted life on the island. After half an hour Bill and Elaine said goodbye and the rest of us enjoyed rock and roll music, featuring lead singer Bob who we know as Craig, since we rent beach chairs and umbrella from him every year. Quite an evening meeting online friends for the first time. We'll keep in touch and meet again when we frequent the island the same time. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo shows Karen and Barry in the rear, Carol and me in the middle and Norm and Betty in the front.
same time as Carol and I, so I called him in St. Louis and we made plans to meet. Also found that he was an Industrial Arts teacher for years and enjoyed stained glass, as I do. He posted a photo of himself and his wife online and I have a photo of me on both forums. I knew I would be able to recognize him as soon as I saw him. We set up a meeting for La Bamba Beach Bar on the Dutch side of St. Martin, near the Pelican Marina resort where we were staying. He told us he always goes there on Sunday nights for rock and roll. We arrived at 6:30 PM and found a table that would seat 6 near the band stand. Gave our drink orders to the waiter and enjoyed the recorded music. About 6:45 Norm and his wife arrived. Knew him right away as he headed to our table. I was wearing the same shirt that I had on in my online photo. Introductions followed, food orders were taken and we talked as if we were old friends, which we were. Then Bill and Elaine arrived. Had no idea they were going to be there and knew them immediately from their photo on TTOL. They are residents of the island having moved to St. Martin 2 years ago from New England. Bill teaches science at the local University near Philipsburg. They love their transplanted life on the island. After half an hour Bill and Elaine said goodbye and the rest of us enjoyed rock and roll music, featuring lead singer Bob who we know as Craig, since we rent beach chairs and umbrella from him every year. Quite an evening meeting online friends for the first time. We'll keep in touch and meet again when we frequent the island the same time. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo shows Karen and Barry in the rear, Carol and me in the middle and Norm and Betty in the front.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment