The "Faces of Strangers: #18" Story

Radomir

It was an ordinary day.  Just bought the breakfast croissants, place them in the car and headed to Orient Village to take some photos for my slide show of my latest vacation to St. Martin.  As I rounded the corner I saw a red security car parked closeby with a rather large man sitting in the driver's seat.  Started to walk past the car when someone asked, "Good day for photos?"  I walked over to the car and saw some of the biggest and most muscular arms I had ever seen.  This fellow was built to be a security guard I thought.  We began a conversation and I found out his name was Radomir.  At first I didn't quite understand what he had said and asked if he would write it down for me.  Guy has the biggest smile to go along with his huge tattooed arms.  Wrote his name in my English and in his Russian.  Radomir, or Rado as he said his friends call him and I was welcome to call him that also, had been on St. Martin for four years now.  He was originally from Serbia and had been a member of the Serbian Army when he became old enough.  No way would I want to have to fight against this guy.  

Radomir wrote his name in my English and in his Russian.

After several skirmishes and battles, Rado decided to leave the army and join the French Foreign Legion so he would have a chance to travel.  It was during this time that he obtained a French Visa and was able eventually to travel to St. Martin for a visit.  He enjoyed it so much that he has decided never to return.  Rado is about the age of my oldest son and lives at the Mont Vernon estates he told me.  He said that he wishes he had bought one of the studio units when he came when they were selling for 8,000 Euros.  Today they go for more than 100,000 Euros and tough for him to afford.  He told me he has a daughter now and wishes his parents in Serbia would be able to visit them so they could see their granddaughter, but since they don't have Visas, they are not able to travel outside the country.  Rado speaks fluent English as well as French and Russian.  Interesting young man who enjoyed talking with me and learning about myself and why I enjoy my visits to St. Martin.  Just then he got a call and said he was needed at the guard house.  I thanked him for his time and asked if I could take his photo.  Gave me a big thumb's up and off he went to guard the village.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Salt Life" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting on the deck having a breakfast of croissants and juice.  Could do this every day without any trouble.  Matter of fact we have done this every day so far while on vacation in paradise.  Reading in a few of the brochures that we picked up at the airport about the importance of salt to the beginnings of St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  

Arawak tribe gathered along the water.

Seems the Arawak Indians settled on the island around 800 AD after arriving from the Orinoco River basin of South America.  They named the island "Sualouiga" which means Land of Salt based on the abundant salt-pans and salty water that they found.  Centuries later the aggressive, cannibalistic Amazonian Carib Indians settled on the island and named it "Soualiga" or Salt Island after the island's prevalent mineral resource.  This tribe came from North America and is what the entire Caribbean is so named after.  Then, according to island legend, on November 11, 1493, Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain and he then named it St. Maarten from the religious day of St. Martin of Tours.  He allegedly did this without setting foot on the island.  Then in 1631 the Dutch settled on the island so it could be a mid-point between their other two territories in Brazil and Nieue Amsterdam (New York).  They then began mining for the abundant salt on the island.  After 16 alterations of power and boundary changes between various nations, the island was divided between the Dutch and the French with the Treaty of Paris in 1815.  The island's rapid growth of agriculture and production of sugar brought slaves to the island and eventually the French abolished this practice in 1848.  15 years later the Dutch followed the French lead and abolished slavery forever on the island.  But, salt will forever be one of the main reasons why different countries found St. Martin/Sint Maarten to be so enticing and worth fighting to retain.  

The Great Salt Pond in Philipsburg as it appeared long ago.

The salt was mined primarily on three parts of the island being The Great Salt Pond in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island and The Orient Pond and Grand Case Salt Pond, both on the French side.  About a year ago I wrote a story about how the salt was mined and you can access that story by clicking on the St. Martin/Sint Maarten link at the beginning of my blog.  Eventually the resource of salt became too expensive to produce due to evaporation, pollution and loss of salt due to washing and poor crystallization.  Carol and I have traveled to Philipsburg many times and have parked along the banks of the Great Salt Pond.  You can still harvest salt pieces if you walk along the banks of the pond, but the pond is slowly being filled in to allow more space for expansion and development.  What once was so important to the survival of the inhabitants of the island is now a forgotten commodity.  I guess that's called progress!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Caribbean Colors ….. As I See Them: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just picked out a baker's dozen new photos from my recent trip to the Caribbean to share with you for the second edition of photos.  Tomorrow will be the last group of photos.  Hope you enjoy at least a few of the photos from today.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Beach Memories! 

Artists use these seeds to make jewelry.

The pool at our villa above Orient Bay.

Another shot of my daily friend.  Hard to take photos of hummingbirds and I got two.

Slow day on Front Street in Philipsburg. 

Playful? snails on our property.  I tramped on and ran over more than I care to think about.

Pillows on a shelf in a store in Marigot.

Colored knives in a shop in Marigot.

A banana tree. 

I believe he's warning me to stay off the chair! 

Street scene in Grand Case. 

Philipsburg Boardwalk restaurant.

Casino sign along Front Street in Philipsburg.

The "Caribbean Colors ….. As I See Them: Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just had a chance to load all my cards into iPhoto and have a few I would like to share with you.  I know there may be some you wonder why I ever pushed the shutter release, but to me they still have some merit.  Since there are so many I wanted to add, I will spread it over a few days.  Also will keep you from getting so bored looking at them all at one time.  I know what it's like looking at someone else's vacation photos.  Here is the first 13 photos taken on the island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Simpson Bay swing bridge.

Flowering cactus. 

Rooftop overlooking Orient Bay. 

One of my daily friend during vacation.

Another blue-eyed daily companion.

Art gallery in Marigot. 

Local design on the outside of the art gallery. 

Portraiture artist on the Boardwalk in Philipsburg.

Macaroons at Sarafina's in Marigot. 

Looking down on the fish tank in a Marigot restaurant. 

Beach splendor! 

Lace umbrella in a linen shop in Philipsburg.

Window dressing in a shop in Philipsburg.

The "We'll Both Have The Beef Stew" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Second day of our vacation on the multi-national island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  It has been tradition with my wife and I to always have our first meal of vacation at our favorite restaurant, Le Piment, which is located in Orient Village, a short drive down the hill from our rental villa.  That is until this year.  Our first night was spent on a late flight from Miami, since our air schedule was destroyed by an early morning storm in New York.  But that's another story that you probably have already read.  Our second night had already been planned with a trip to the restaurant Sol e Luna with friends of my wife's who owned a place at the Grand Case Beach Club so we had to wait until our third evening to make our trek to Le Piment for my wife's favorite.  

Krystal (in black sleeveless top) greeting people as they enter.

Last year she tried one of the specials at the restaurant and found a whole new taste that she just loved.  Called Beef Stew, but not the traditional beef stew that we had become accustomed to in Lancaster County, PA.  Their beef stew didn't have carrots, potatoes, onions, celery and beef blended together into a stew, it was just plain beef.  It was marinated over two days in a wine sauce and I must admit it actually melted in your mouth.  Yea, I had to get it also, since I was convinced over a period of a few months before vacation that it would be the best meal of vacation.  Krystal, the owner of  Le Piment, met us at the awning of the outdoor restaurant and greeted us with the traditional French  kiss on either cheek, then seated us in the restaurant's new chairs and tables that decorated the restaurant.  

The "Special Board".  Click on the photo to
enlarge.  You will see the Beef Stew.  Prices
are in euros.  At the time 1 Euro=$1.40.

Immediately Carol checked the hand lettered chalkboard to see if the Beef Stew was on the menu.  Our traditional 1st night fare had been a caprese salad and a oven baked lasagna.  Both are enough for two meals so we shared one of each.  But …….. it looks as if we are going to have to change our tradition and have the beef stew.  We are not big wine or alcohol drinkers so we order peach ice tea that comes in a can.  I know, no class!  Krystal brought the special board to our table and as she was setting it on a nearby chair, Carol said, "No need for that, we'll both have the beef stew."  She remembered how much Carol raved about it the previous year and replied, "Ah, good choice."  The beef stew is accompanied with a small lettuce salad with house dressing, a small serving of sprouts, a piece of pine tree that Carol insists is a piece of Rosemary and vegetables that are baked in small crock and consist of sliced potatoes, squash and peppers.  

The Beef Stew!

I must admit it was delicious and had to eat it slowly to savor all the flavors and make it last longer.  The beef was better than any beef I had ever eaten.  It really did melt in your mouth.  After clearing our table our waitress brought us each a shot of Ma DouDou bananae-vanillae flavored rum which is made on the island.  A very nice new tradition for the start of our vacation.  As we left, Carol leaned close to Krystal and whispered something to her.  She got a smile on her face and told Carol she would tell the chef.  After asking her what she told the owner, she whispered,  "I told her the beef stew was better than sex!"  "Geez, thanks a lot!" I said.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Faces Of Strangers: #17" Story

Restaurant Lescargot on Front Street.

It was an ordinary day.  Walking Front Street in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten trying to kill some time until we are more hungry for lunch.  Heading east along the street and as we passed the restaurant "Lescargot" a young black woman was attempting to put up the umbrellas that lines the street in front of the restaurant.  Was struggling so we crossed and Carol helped her guide the bottom of one of the umbrellas into the base.  The restaurant sits about 4 feet off the street and is decorated with beautiful hand-painted tiles, many with likenesses of snails which is what the restaurant is famous for on their menu.  The woman looked down on us and thanked Carol for helping her.  Naturally began a conversation with her so we could learn more about the restaurant and their delicacy they sell.  

Paula

I asked her her name and she responded by telling us Paula.  Told us she had been working at the restaurant for 21 years and just loves her job. Seems the owner is thinking of retiring after 42 years and Paula is hoping the restaurant will continue as it is now so she can continue working there.  Asked her if she likes snails and she told us she can eat them if necessary.  She continued telling us they're not the kind you find on the island, but they grow on grape vines in Italy.  Said they were about the size of Carol's pendant which would make them the size of a nickel.  She asked if we wanted to come in for lunch but I told her I wasn't hungry enough to eat snails.  Naturally had to laugh.  She wasn't born on the island, but on the island of Jamaica and spent the first 22 years of her life on that island.  Her smile was brilliant and her personality intriguing.  Then she took the offensive and asked where we were from.  We told her the U.S. and she responded, "Oh, I love your President.  I can't believe people don't like what he is doing."  My wife really enjoys politics and she and Paula really got going about our congress and the fact that no matter what Obama proposed, congress could find a reason not to like it. "Can't stand that John Boehner," she said.  "But, I think Hillary would make a good president if she would run."  Well, the smell was interesting coming from the restaurant, but we opted for something different for lunch.  Did enjoy our visit with Paula and told her maybe next year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Queen Of Diamonds" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in the lobby of one of the several Diamonds International stores on Front Street in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten.  The day started as a beach day, but in no time the clouds moved in and the rain began to fall.  Since we had very few days remaining in our yearly trek to paradise, we decided to make one last trip to Philipsburg to find a gift for our grandson and to get something for Carol to take to work with her to share the flavors of the island with her co-workers.  Took the island tour from our villa in Orient through Marigot, the capital of the French side, towards Cole Bay and across the new swing bridge towards the airport then across the Simpson Bay Drawbridge and finally winding our way into Philipsburg.  After wandering the entire deserted boardwalk we headed to Front Street where stores selling duty-free and tax-free items abound. After passing the Courthouse we stopped to check the time and decide where we wanted to have lunch.    The weather on this side of the island was slightly different than the French side with the sun shining brightly and the humidity much higher.

Facebook page photo of Diamonds International in Sint Maarten.

 We stepped under an awning and felt the cooling air of the Diamonds Inter- national store we were standing in front of at the time.  Carol said, "I wonder if this is the Diamonds International store where Hilary works.  You know, the girl who was looking for a rental place with her new husband, since she had just gotten a job with Diamonds International."  Oh yeah, I did remember that episode on House Hunters International from maybe a year of two ago.  We try and record all the episodes from islands where we have visited or plan to visit so we can enjoy the islands once again, even though it may be snowing outside at the time.  Well, we walked in and were instantly confronted by one of their sales reps.  After listening to his spiel about the newest Australian Opal rings and earrings, Carol asked him, "Is this the store where Hilary works?  The girl that was featured on TV."  

Hilary and Carol pose inside the Diamonds Internaional store.

Off he went and in a minute her comes this girl walking towards us.  "Hello, I'm Hilary!" she said to us.  She looked exactly as I had pictured her from watching the show.  She and her husband Shawn Grant were featured trying to find a rental place with a $2,900 budget.  She wanted something near her work while Shawn really didn't care, since he is a software designer and was planning on working from home.  Three houses were featured, one at the Blue Mall Residences, one at Beacon Hill and one at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club area  and they finally chose the place closest to her work, Simpson Bay.  We asked her about the show and she said it took four days to film the 21 1/2 minutes that were used.  At the time she and Shawn had only been married 3 weeks.  That was 1 1/2 years ago now and she now trains sales people for the company.  Carol and her hit it off right away and they talked about a variety of different things from her family in California to her being Miss California International.  We found out that fact when Carol said, "You know, I have watched that episode many times and could never figure out what the pendant was that you were wearing."  She told Carol it was a crown that was given to her by one of the pageant sponsors.  At that time she talked with the sponsor about jobs in the jewelry business.  She then changed her major in college to study gemology and became a gemologist.  She was then offered a job with Diamonds International with the chance to move to the island of Sint Maarten.  Hilary and Shawn love the island and are going to start looking for a permanent home soon.  Also read online that Hilary is now the Regional Training Manager and recently attended the National Asso. of Jewelry Appraisers Conference where she gave a two hour presentation about the "Crown of Light."  It was so nice of Hilary to take the time to meet us and tell us about her experiences on the show as well as life on the island we love so much.  A great young woman who is making a name for herself in the industry that has store after store on Front Street in Philipsburg.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - You can catch a repeat of this episode of House Hunters International on June 15th at 7:30 PM.  

The "Caribbean Colors ….. As I See Them: Part III" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The final installment of photos I am sharing with you from my recent vacation to St. Martin.  What I enjoy and what you enjoy may be two different things, so I'm hoping you will like at least a few of the photos I have included. Remember to click on photos to enlarge them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Neat beach scene on the French side of the island.

Make your own plates day.  I think George W. was driving this one.

Even their business tags are colorful. 

Cute little guy at one of the rescues on the island.

Traffic mirrors can be artistic.

Colorful bracelets in a store in Marigot.

Neat jewelry display in a shop in Philipsburg.

Outdoor market in Marigot.

Colorful water bird.

My wife's meal one evening!

Little gallery in Marigot.

Fire eaters at Le Piment restaurant.  His head is backward and almost upside down.

Dancing Sugar Birds.