Chapter 2 (Still Day 1): Salty Air Soothes the Soul
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 5:16 pm
Chapter 1: (With bonus photo of 5-legged donkey)
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 8a776d61ab
After the mister and I grabbed our gratuitous rum samples and our bags, we found “the guy” directing folks to awaiting taxi vans for the trek to Red Hook ferry. Because of various things I had read online, this was part of the trip that I really was not particularly looking forward to – you know, the long ride with a mean, smelly taxi driver who carts you off in their beat-up, smelly taxi van and then rips you off? As it turned out, our driver lady was actually quite pleasant, and both she and the minivan were without any offensive odor(s). The van was also clean and well-chilled. I snagged the seat up front by the pleasant lady driver, the mister grabbed a bucket seat in the second row, and we sat back and watched the rest of the poor suckers fill up the other 4 seats in the van.
Since every story needs a villain (or 2), ours came in the form of “the vile couple.” From the moment that Mrs. Vile got into the van, she did nothing but complain and spew negativity. Oh Em Gee.....I haaaaaaaaaaaaate Mexico. (Later we learn that the woman sidled up right next to her in the van is from Mexico). The inner portion of Anguilla is such a duuuuuuuuump. Why we are driving through these shaaaaaaaaady areas? Look at those shacks! Why is there sooooooooooooo much traffic? (It was the last day of Carnival in STT when we arrived, but it really wasn’t that bad). While not quite as vile as his lady friend, Mr. Vile was apparently uncomfortable with silence, and he blabbered on and on (and on and on and on) for the next 45 minutes or so that it took us to get to the ferry. (Moral of that part of the story, there are certainly more offensive things than STT taxi drivers!)
We had just missed the 3:00 o’clock ferry, so the mister and I just hung out and tried to avoid “the vile couple” during our wait. (Of course, we would run into them about 552 more times during the next week .....but ain’t nothing, including their vileness, bringing me down). The mister accused me of being a freak (a term of endearment, of course) because I changed my mind 3 times or so about “the best” place for us to sit on the ferry. (Based upon my very unscientific calculations, it was the first row in the upper corner on the left side – partial shade, and nothing to obstruct those gorgeous views.)
I am not really sure why the ferry doesn’t get more love . . . These crazy kids really enjoyed the ferry ride (really!). The waters were rough that day, but not enough to distract from the beautiful scenery floating by us on this short sojourn. I could feel my stress just melting away with the soothing salty air from the ocean breezes.
When we arrived (we have ARRIVED!) at the dock in St. John, I was happy that the traveling portion of our trip was over. It was finally time to sit back, relax, and get to know more about this Mr. St. John.
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 8a776d61ab
After the mister and I grabbed our gratuitous rum samples and our bags, we found “the guy” directing folks to awaiting taxi vans for the trek to Red Hook ferry. Because of various things I had read online, this was part of the trip that I really was not particularly looking forward to – you know, the long ride with a mean, smelly taxi driver who carts you off in their beat-up, smelly taxi van and then rips you off? As it turned out, our driver lady was actually quite pleasant, and both she and the minivan were without any offensive odor(s). The van was also clean and well-chilled. I snagged the seat up front by the pleasant lady driver, the mister grabbed a bucket seat in the second row, and we sat back and watched the rest of the poor suckers fill up the other 4 seats in the van.
Since every story needs a villain (or 2), ours came in the form of “the vile couple.” From the moment that Mrs. Vile got into the van, she did nothing but complain and spew negativity. Oh Em Gee.....I haaaaaaaaaaaaate Mexico. (Later we learn that the woman sidled up right next to her in the van is from Mexico). The inner portion of Anguilla is such a duuuuuuuuump. Why we are driving through these shaaaaaaaaady areas? Look at those shacks! Why is there sooooooooooooo much traffic? (It was the last day of Carnival in STT when we arrived, but it really wasn’t that bad). While not quite as vile as his lady friend, Mr. Vile was apparently uncomfortable with silence, and he blabbered on and on (and on and on and on) for the next 45 minutes or so that it took us to get to the ferry. (Moral of that part of the story, there are certainly more offensive things than STT taxi drivers!)
We had just missed the 3:00 o’clock ferry, so the mister and I just hung out and tried to avoid “the vile couple” during our wait. (Of course, we would run into them about 552 more times during the next week .....but ain’t nothing, including their vileness, bringing me down). The mister accused me of being a freak (a term of endearment, of course) because I changed my mind 3 times or so about “the best” place for us to sit on the ferry. (Based upon my very unscientific calculations, it was the first row in the upper corner on the left side – partial shade, and nothing to obstruct those gorgeous views.)
I am not really sure why the ferry doesn’t get more love . . . These crazy kids really enjoyed the ferry ride (really!). The waters were rough that day, but not enough to distract from the beautiful scenery floating by us on this short sojourn. I could feel my stress just melting away with the soothing salty air from the ocean breezes.
When we arrived (we have ARRIVED!) at the dock in St. John, I was happy that the traveling portion of our trip was over. It was finally time to sit back, relax, and get to know more about this Mr. St. John.
I get so excited about getting on the ferry and seeing my favorite place get closer and closer! 
I feel a similar way about the approach on the air plane! We have always gone over to Red Hook with Rachel, so we have never had to put up with Mr. and Mrs. Vile. 
This year we have to make an extra trip to the air port, so we think we will take a public taxi first thing. Hope we get your cab 
