The "Odd Couple Known as Sint Maarten/Saint Martin" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got dressed quickly and headed down the hill for our morning croissants.  Seems to be the routine just about every morning during our vacation to the island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  If you have read this blog in the past you probably have read about the differences in the two sides of the island which is comprised of one half Dutch and one half French.  Carol and I enjoy staying on the French side of the island for a few reasons that I will try to explain in today's story.  Seems the folks who frequent the French side of the island, known as Frenchers, do so because they enjoy the quieter life of the two sides.  Most stay in villas or boutique hotels and enjoy the largely undeveloped hills while the Dutch side is consumed with traffic, noise and high-rise apartments and condominiums.  On the French side you are more apt to find a stray goat or horse on the road during your daily journeys while the Dutch commute will find dusty, pitted roads filled with car after car as well as a variety of tourist buses headed in just about any direction.  But, I will admit that if you prefer the excitement of evening entertainment and a chance to double your money in a hurry, the Dutch side will allow you that privilege whereas the French side usually turns in a few hours earlier, just after dark.  As for shopping,  you will find both sides of the island will allow you a fantastic chance to unload that wallet full of money that you brought with you to buy souvenirs for family members less fortunate than you when it comes to travel.  As for food …… well both sides have plenty to eat and a variety of choices in cuisine, but Grand Case on the French side is known as the "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean" with restaurants that front the Caribbean Sea with choices too hard to pronounce.  As for Carol and me, peace and quiet are a prime consideration while on vacation.  We enjoy parking ourselves on the beach chair with an umbrella while listening to the the water lapping near our feet and a good book in our hands (my case it would be a Kindle).  No beach vendors to bother you or loud boom-boxes to distract your reading.  Actually, it's rather tough to keep your eyes open in a situation such as that.  Arriving about 9:00 AM at the beach with a cooler that stores our drinks and lunch and staying until the beach boys gather the umbrellas late is our idea of vacation.  Others would rather get up late, take in the shopping along the beach in Philipsburg, hit one of the 14 casinos on the Dutch side and prepare for a late evening meal, eating at a time when my eyes have permanently closed for the evening.  But, that's what is so enjoyable about the island of Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin.  I must admit we do both lifestyles during our stay, but do enjoy the more quieter side of the island for the majority of our trip.  Never traveled much before I retired from teaching, and now find I can't get enough of it.  "Why didn't we do this years ago?" I often question my wife.  Her answers is always the same, "We were raising three kids and couldn't afford it."  How true!  But they are all grown up now and it's now our time to enjoy life as long as we can.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - For the frequent visitors to Sint Maarten/St. Martin, I realize you may have your opinions about which side to stay on during your stay, and you're more than welcome to comment about your preferences below for others to read.