The "Meeting The Gardener: Part I" Story

The "Gardener", otherwise known as Diederick who 
celebrated 50 years of business in Philipsburg.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting next to the gardener, laughing about how well we both can play the harmonica even though our wives may disagree.  My meeting with the gardner began over a year ago when I read about a businessman on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten who had celebrated 50 years of business in the city of Philipsburg.  I had read about it on the businesman's wife's blog, Barbara Talks! A St. Maarten Blog! (http://barcann.livejournal.com)  I inquired if Barbara would mind if I met with her husband and wrote a story for my blog.  

Entrance to Barbara and Dee's villa.

She had no objections, but when Carol and I arrived on Sint Maarten for vacation shortly after my inquiry, her husband was traveling and I never got to meet him.  Seems Barbara refers to her husband as her gardner, since he has a fabulous garden located at their hillside residence high above Philipsburg. Barbara and husband, Diederick, met in the early 1970's when Barbara came to visit Sint Maarten and rented a car from Diederick.  Barbara was from Williamsport, PA, about a two hour drive from my home in Lancaster.  Her grandmother, of German descent, lived in the Lancaster area for years.  Well, after a few more trips and car rentals, Barbara moved to the island and eventually married Diederick.  Carol and I finally got to meet Barbara and her gardner/husband recently and take a tour of their lovely home and beautiful tropical garden. I had been back and forth by email with Barbara as to the best time to meet, and we finally decided on a date and time.  

Barbara with her husband/gardener
Diederick and dog Scarlet while standing
in Diederick's garden in Sint Maaten.

Barbara told me the street address and where their home is located on the island.  I pulled out my trusty SXM map and found the location.  I did get detailed directions from Barbara with a warning about navigating the road up to their home.  Quite a feat for the little Nissan March we had rented, but we finally found our way, pulled in the driveway, and pulled the string on the bell by the gate.  We were immediately greeted by Scarlet and Amber, their two dogs, followed by their maid who welcomed us and opened the gate for us.  Shortly Carol and I were exchanging welcomes with Barbara and admiring the pool which sits next to the house.  Before long she had called for her gardener/husband to show us his garden which covered most of the grounds around their home.  We met Diederick and after introductions began our tour.  I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting with friends who I had met online a few years ago, but my wife was in heaven as we began our tour of the gardens that covered the surrounding grounds of this magnificent hillside villa with panoramic views of nearby Philipsburg where Diederick's business, Cannegie's Liquor Store, is located .  

Our tour of the garden began with this lovely pool area.

Our tour gave us a chance to see many of the species of plants, shrubs and trees that are found on the island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  After our tour of the garden, Barbara and Diederick invited us into their home for refresh- ments and conversation. The home was designed years ago by a French architect and features a ceiling in the main room which must be close to 40 feet high. The blue roof on the home can be seen from miles away.  A porch on the rear of their home shows views to the south-east of nearby Philipsburg.  Our conversation was about family, friends, and life on the island of Sint Maarten.  Shortly I noticed a few small musical pieces on the table in front of me and after trying a small box, much like a small xylophone, I noticed the harmonica.  Much laughter followed!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

PS - Follow along tomorrow as I take you along with Barbara, Dee, Carol and on our tour of the gardener's magnificent tropical hillside garden.