The "St. Martin, the Friendly Island" Story

It was an ordinary day. Having lunch at Isaac's with Barry and Karen W. who we recently traveled with to St. Martin. Looking at some photos and talking about all the nice people we met during our trip. Everyone we met was extremely friendly. Matter of fact, the island is known as "TheFriendly Island." Started with Lesley Bruce who we rented the car from at the airport. We made arrangements with him a month before our trip and sure enough, he was waiting for us at the airport with a car. Couldn't find him at first so we asked someone at the exit of the airport and they told us to look for the skinniest guy on the island. They were pretty accurate in their description when we finally found him. At the Pelican Marina Resort I waited in line to check in and when I finally made my way to the front of the line I got to meet Robert who checked me in. We had many meetings with him about our luggage, parking, etc. during the week, and he was extremely pleasant every time we talked with him. At the Butterfly farm I got to meet Tito who was very informative and was a joy to meet. He had worked at the horse stable next door to the farm for a few years and decided he wanted to work with the butterflies instead. Offered information about the island as well as the Butterfly Farm. Waiters and waitresses at all the places we ate were all friendly, but the Philadelphia sports fan who waited on our table at Pineapple Pete's was my favorite. At Kali's Beach Bar on Friar's Bay we got to meet some real characters. Started with Bob Barker who yelled to everyone passing to "Come on down." And Coco at the beach store gave us a history of not only the beach, but of her life and the problems she had with her back. Gave Barry some hints as to how to cure his MD. She thought he could use the magnets that she brought down to our beach chairs. Gave us a web site to explore, but when I got home and tried the site, it was in a foreign language. She was just a delightful person. Then Kali himself stopped to chat and welcomed us to his place. In Philipsburg we got to talk to Claudine who worked at the Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street. Neat woman who was featured in the show "Three Sheets" which was on the FLN network. In the show comedian Zane Lamprey drinks his way around St. Martin, stopping to visit with her. Check out the video of the episode at http://www.hulu.com/watch/86502/three-sheets-st-martin. Then there was Barb and Monique who ran the Ice Cream Planet at the resort where we stayed. Just opened it a short time ago and are having a great time serving and meeting the people who come to visit with them at their place. Even with all the troubles we had with out flights both to and from the island, we met many great airline workers. I know they probably aren't residents of St. Martin, but they none the less were still friendly. Carol and I will be returning in May to greet some of these people again as well as make friends with a few more people from the friendly island. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - sorry I don't have photos of all our new friends, but I can share the pix of Kali with you as well as Claudine from the Guavaberry Emporium.