USVI-On-Line

Following a very rough few weeks, which followed a very rough several months, that came on the heels of a pretty rough year, I pretty much reached the end of my rope a couple of weeks ago. I am fried. I came THIS CLOSE to quitting my job, quitting my friends and family, and simply finding somewhere that I could run away to.

However, I am far too "responsible" to do anything too radical. What I did do (thanks in part to encouragement from you guys) was schedule some future "me time" on St. John. I have planned a little solo trip for the future. I'll keep the details to myself, so as not to encourage any weirdos to follow me and put me in their freezer.

Is it crazy for me, a "girl" to head off alone? Will I get the time off that I need, or am I just begging to become some dumb tourist who gets herself held up or abducted?

Hard to say. Call me Crazy, but I'm going for it.

I do have some concerns, however. First, I am concerned about my luggage. I will be forced to handle my luggage alone. Not such a problem, but, like any good woman, I will have packed about 3 times as many clothes as I actually need and crammed them all into a carryon bag. I am concerned at this point that 1) I will be unable to lift my carry-on into that impossibly small overhead with my little chicken arms, or 2) that the pressure with which my too many clothes will be crammed into that carryon will prove to be too much for the zipper, which will give up the ghost mid-flight causing a mini-explosion in the overhead compartment, thereby grounding my flight, and possibly getting me thrown off the plane.

I'm also concerned about that quart sized zip-loc bag. Committed to carry-on only, I am now required to fit all of my toiletries and cosmetics for a trip into a quart sized zip-loc bag. Yeah, right. You guys remember the "beauty products" post? I'm not exactly a minimalist. When the TSA website says they must fit "comfortably" in the bag, exactly what do they mean? What if they look comfortable to me? Will they decide they are "uncomfortable" and confiscate all my lip gloss?

Then there is the whole problem with picking up the Jeep, driving it across downtown St. Thomas with it's myriad of one-way streets and round-a-bouts, while managing to STAY LEFT, then driving myself across the island on hairpin turns with water trucks barrelling at me from the right, to the car ferry. Let's assume that I, spaz of a driver that I am, do manage to make it across the island to the car ferry, I then have to back my Jeep onto the ferry into a spot more appropriately sized for a Yugo. Yep, I'll be the one that ends up in the paper for driving right off into the water.

And let's assume that I make it to St. John with luggage intact, Jeep intact, and self intact. Now I have to drive from Cruz Bay (town) to my accommodations on roads we all know and love. In the dark. The fun never stops!

I may be nuts, but all of that sounds really fun and exciting to me. I think of St. John as "my place." I feel more at home there than I do anywhere on earth. The second I roll off that ferry onto the island, a peace enters my soul like no other. I think I'll be fine!

But, all of you might say a little prayer, though, just in case. Don't want to read about me driving off the road in the dark in the paper do you?

I'm with you all the way up to backing up the Jeep on to the ferry! That's where it falls apart for me!
I'm sure you will LOVE your down time! I hope it's everything you need. Be safe and smart. You will be fine!

First off I have a really nice freezer Second just take your time driving and you will be fine. Thirdly getting your over stuffed carry on in the over head just bat your brown eye's and you will have guy's fighting to help you.

Having it seem just a tad bit crazy is what makes it just perfect. You know what you are getting yourself into & you will do just fine!

Not crazy at all. You are doing what you need to do to save your sanity.

I would love to have a few days on the rock on my own. Driving in STT is not so bad, either is the barge, once you arrive on STJ it will all come back to you.

Leave half your crap home and buy what you need when yoy get there. That is my husband's advice every time we travel.

I am very jealous!

Oh and if you need a Thelma to your Louise, just call me I have LOTS of frequent flier miles!

VickiH,

You will do fine. I guarantee you will enjoy the alone time of the trip, including the parts you are worried about way more than you think.

Plus, think about how much more stressfull all of that would be with one of us guys there to screw it up. Ha!

You are not crazy at all! I wish I could go now and let my family join me in 24 days.
You will have a great time!

VickiH,

I can't think if anything better for someone in your condition than a trip to St. John! I'll bet you will be meeting lots of nice people right away. Also, I am sure you are not the only spaz of a driver (LOL--I love that word). I took the driving plunge in March, and everyone is still alive, even the donkeys and goats.
I also carry on luggage after being separated from mine for a few days, and some nice guy will hoist your suitcase for you. (Last trip the guy next to me was 7'2''--no joke--he could almost stow the bage while seated!

Have a great time!

Captainvic

I say go for it! Life is too short to worry about the little things.

Well, you already know how I feel about most of this. Hello, it is me, solo traveler extraordinaire! (That is what I tell myself to avoid being scared, anyway.)

As for lifting the suitcase, a woman lifting a bag on a plane does not exactly go unnoticed. Someone will help.

I'm excited for you!

VickiH
You're not any crazier than i was. in '85 i just packed up and moved to STT, never been there before. quit my job, closed my bank accounts, called a travel agent and booked a oneway flight the next day. packed a duffle bag, said goodbye to my friends and family. off i went. landed without a place to stay so i hit a couple downtown bars and found a room till i could get a apartment. then spent the next two years having the time of my life.

I think you will do really well and the enjoy STJ in a new way.

Wow, I admire your sense of adventure!

As previously stated, some guy will lift your bag in and out of those overhead compartment. My hubby does it all the time for the ladies.

Why not just take the people ferry to STJ and get your rental car there? I would NEVER, EVER think of backing onto that car barge. You are really brave!!

Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy the peace and serenity that is St John.

Oh Vicki I am sooooo jealous! You will do perfectly fine. Just remember to go with your woman intuition when hanging out. We "girls" have that intuition for a reason ~ it's usually right.

The only thing I would be leary of is driving in STT. This is only because I have never done it before. I would take the ferry over and get my jeep in STJ. If you decide to do that, PM me and I will give you the name and # of a private taxi guy that always picks us up. He is super to deal with and will keep you safe from the airport to the ferry!

Good luck, God Speed, and Enjoy!!!

XOXO
Bug