The "The Fever Is Intense!" Story

The island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten

It was an ordinary day.  A day with a bright blue sky and mild weather...and the fever has taken over.  Not just any fever, but the Caribbean Fever.  And...not just the Caribbean Fever, but the St. Martin/Sint Maarten Caribbean Fever.  Spent last evening talking with my wife about perhaps taking another vacation to the island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  The island is a two country island with St. Martin being the French side of the island while Sint Maarten is the Dutch side of the island.  And yes...there is a dividing line that you must cross every time you go from one side to another.  Not the type of line where you would be checked for passport, etc. but just a little sign along the side of the road telling you which side you may be in at the time.  Some people enjoy being on the Dutch side while others enjoy the French side better.  We have a friend, Barbara, whom we met years ago when we made our first trip to St. Martin/Sint Maarten who lives on the Dutch side of the island, part-way up a shallow mountain.  We first met her husband while buying some rum in his store in Philipsburg.  While talking, we found that he met his wife during a trip she had taken to his island home and before long they were married.  Barbara was a resident of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, my home state, before she packed up and moved to Sint Maarten to be with the love of her life.   Carol and I eventually made a visit to see her and a friendship grew over the following years.  My wife, Carol, and I have talked and talked about making another visit to our favorite island, but it just hasn't happened...as of now.  We were scheduled for a trip before Covid hit, but that never took place.  So...the other night I asked her what she thought about another trip to the Caribbean.  I could see the smile on her face, but I know that our age is a big factor.  We both can still walk and carry a suitcase.  And, it won't get any better...so if we ever will be able to take a trip...it will have to be sooner rather than later.  I know...there are so many plans that have to be made being that we have pets, family commitments, etc., etc., etc., but we traveled before while having the same two cats and having the same relatives, so the only drawback would be our health and being able to walk around on the island.  So far we have only talked about the trip, but this time it will have to get past the talking stage.  Once we decide to take the trip, we have to make arrangements for a place to stay and plans to rent an automobile.  I realize that there are plenty of reasons not to try and travel because of our age and health, but our love of the island might be just enough of an initiative to sway it in favor of traveling.  Only time will tell...and we don't have much of that!  I'll keep you informed...!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.