Monday, November 19, 2018

The "SXM: Good Morning” Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just bought two chocolate croissants, a ham and cheese sandwich made on a French baguette and a lemon dessert that is unbelievable. 
Good Morning Restaurant in Orient Village
Bought all these items at a little restaurant in Orient Village called “Good Morning”.  Years ago, during one of our first visits to the island of St. Martin, I began buying our breakfast croissants at the restaurant.  At the time the clerk was a young girl who helped me learn all my breakfast choices in French.  I’ll never forget my final morning when I bought my croissants for the last time. She was so impressed with my French, after ordering them for over two weeks, that she gave me a big hug.  Well, the store has sadly changed owners several times over the past years and this year’s owner, Ramon, has become a good friend in the time I have known him. 
Ramon
He knows what Carol and I enjoy and when he sees me walk across the street from my usual parking space at 7:30 am he has my croissant order ready.  He then asks if I want a sandwich for the beach today.  Many mornings I will buy one of his choices: ham & cheese, tuna salad, chicken and vegetables or French Salami and pickles on a French baguette.  Most days I will get the ham & cheese with mayo on it as well as lettuce and tomato with onions on my half of it.  The bread is delivered earlier in the morning so it is right out of the oven.  We take the sandwich to the beach for lunch and may see others on the beach with sandwiches also from “Good Morning”. 
Croissants for sale in the display case.
A few days ago I asked if he could make sandwiches on his regular croissants and he shrugged and grabbed two of them.  Cut them in half 
and placed the ham & cheese on them and added the rest.  The cost was slightly more, and we didn’t care for them as much as on the French baguette.  I have also bought other desserts, but usually keep them for part of our evening meal or as a snack after we return home from  a restaurant in the evening.  I am one of just a few daily customers who is American speaking English.  I just love to hear his other customers enter with a “Bon Jour” for he and his wife.  As for me...I just look up at his sign for my greeting...”Good Morning”.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Desserts offered for sale.
More desserts for sale.
French baguettes 
Chocolate and apple croissant...daily breakfast for both Carol and myself.



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