Jiffy Lube Trip report Final

[Xislandgirl]

It has been a few days, sorry for the delay.

Sunday morning I got out of bed and went through my usual routine of coffee on the deck. I knew that I had to run out to Coral Bay and look for Chip's shirt so I had not made any plans. On the way to Coral Bay, I get a text message from a friend that says Brunch at Tage, 1 hour. So I search Coral Bay for Chip's shirt quickly, and can not find it. I only find a 2xxl and that will not work, so I pick out a few others and head into town for brunch.

Tage was very warm and the food was good. Not great, not amazing, just good. I think it was overpriced but an old friend paid, so I can not complain on the price.

I decided that since I had no slept much, I would try and nap for a bit before heading to the Beach Bar and I was amazed that I actually fell asleep for about an hour. I showered and headed into town. I was alone at the Beach Bar for about an hour so I walked down to STJ Spice and ran into Ruth and Pia and her husband Les. They watched as I wrote in the sand and then we headed to the Beach Bar. We had a great time and met Nancy and her family and played a while with Flat Stanley. I will post pics later of Flat Stanley having a cocktail and grabbing at Pia
After a few hours of fun I headed back to the house where my friends and my old boss had a table full of sushi, pad thai noodles and chinese food. (and a big bottle of Proseco) We ate and drank and laughed and finally headed to bed.

I got up and started packing on Monday. Took a shower had the last of the coffee and headed into town. Stopped at Connections to drop off my bag for a few hours and realized that town had no power so I could not print my boarding passes. I called another old boss and arranged to meet at her office so that we could chat. Then I stopped by JJ's and grabbed a quick BLT and met up with my friends before I grabbed my luggage and hopped on the 1pm boat.

Rachel was across the street waiting for me with a lovely gift for all the business I have sent her. If you need a taxi driver in STT, just let me know. She is really an awesome woman and has a beautiful taxi.

The lines at the airport were long but they moved quickly and I was on my way back home.
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Thoughts and Musings

Traveling with carry on luggage only is not only do-able but really easy. I brought home clothes I never wore. I will never check again!

Traveling without newbies is wonderfuly liberating

Traveling without your husband can be boring

This trip did not feel like a vacation, it felt like I still lived there. This was good and bad.

NEVER trust someone else on lodging. Even though you used to live in a downstairs cistern apartment does not mean that you will want to stay there on vacation.

I love STJ. When I step off the ferry there is a part of me that feels "whole" again, but it will be a good while before I return. There are many other places that we want to see and while Chip "gets it", he does not get the obsession. That is ok for me, I will get back someday.
<don't think I will be leaving the board, I am way addicted to this place>

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

That was a fairly introspective, somewhat somber account. I imagine that one's perspective is different if they actually lived on island and are returning.

For the majority of us, our memories of STJ only include past vacations, not the real life issues that go along with actually living there. Well, real life has both good and bad. It sounds as though your trip brought back memories of both.

Returning to places of our past can be bittersweet.

[sea-nile]

Thanks for the report!
I appreciate your honesty.
I am glad that you will be staying with the forum.

[Xislandgirl]

After a read your replies, I re-read my report and I guess it was a little somber, sorry. I really had a great time, it was just not your typical vacation trip report.

I love STJ, probably more than any other place I have been in the world. It took me 7 years to get back and I was really lucky to get there twice in one year. It will be a few years before we go back, that's all.

[mbw1024]

So where ya gonna go? I always want to know what everyone else is planning

[Xislandgirl]

We are thinking a summer trip in '08 to the Northwest; Oregon, Washington State

[mbw1024]

nice. that's on my list as well.

[cypressgirl]

I'm sure after 7 years, things really seem different.

I, for one, keep wondering if Grand Bay and Sirinusa (sp) are filled, where will everyone be. It just doesn't seem like the island can accomadate that many more tourists.



Even in mid August it didn't seem like low season. The beaches were as full as I've ever seen them.

[kirk]

After a read your replies, I re-read my report and I guess it was a little somber, sorry. I really had a great time, it was just not your typical vacation trip report.

I think understand how you feel. when i was down there a few weeks ago. the one thing i had planned on doing was to go over to STT and trip down memory lane. 20 years ago i loved STT when i lived there. but after driving through CA on the way to RH i changed my mind about going over for the day.
BTW this time tomorrow i'll be sitting at the Beach Bar.

[designbyroe]

I get what you are saying X, I have been off island for 2 yrs almost and can not wait to go back for a visit.
I also struggle with do I want to move back or do I want to just be able to visit. I miss the people, the vibe,the energy, the souls that live there.
Maybe when I get back this year I will change my mind.
I plan as long as I am here stateside to visit
Sydney
Greek Isles
Ireland

Once I go back to STJ, that traveling will not be as easy.

[Xislandgirl]

Kirk- I am a little jealous.

I don't think that the changes on the island made me sad at all. I hate the concrete, don't get me wrong, but it was not the island that has changed, it is me.

I am a different person than I was when I lived there. Not better, not worse. Just different.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Kirk- I am a little jealous.

I don't think that the changes on the island made me sad at all. I hate the concrete, don't get me wrong, but it was not the island that has changed, it is me.

I am a different person than I was when I lived there. Not better, not worse. Just different.

That is why visiting places of our past often can be a bittersweet experience.

We have a wall in our house upon which we have measured all of our kids' growth. I'm sure all of you with kids have something similar. You know that wall...pencil lines with dates, marking their heights as they grow over the years.

When we go back to places of our past it is just as though we are backing against the wall...it provides a measure of how much we have grown...not in inches, but I think you understand.

[LMG]

Thanks for your report and your interesting perspective. I can imagine myself, if I were to come back in seven years to the people and places in my life now, it would really be something! It's a journey, that's for sure.
Thanks, again.

[Ksea]

X- Thanks for the report, cannot wait to see the pics!
I spent my teenage years in Ocean City, MD a resort town on the East Coast. I moved back to the DC area for work after college. I Could not WAIT to get back to the beach, but when I got there for a visit, I felt out of the loop,things were so different. It was kind of depressing...but that wore off and I usually go back once a year as a tourist and just have fun. Anyway...just thought maybe that's the way you were feeling too

[Barb Y]

I never got around to writing a trip report in early July. The summer has been insanely busy but fun. I so owe X- a huge thank you for hooking us up with Rachel for our trip. She was awesome! She truly went out her way to make everything run smoothly for us. When we were headed back to STT airport we had time to kill so she decided to take us on a short tour of STT and then took us to see Frenchman's Reef where my brother and sister-in-law had honeymooned. I give her huge thumbs up. Thanks again!