Where dreams come true

I've finally done it!!

Since 2014, I've been pining for it.
Wanting it

But I was always waaay too poor for it

But I'm not now! Because they are CHEAP AS HELL in St Maarten...well to be precise...St Barthélemy.

I got my Mini Cooper convertible!!!

A 2013 car, easily sells for 18,000-20,000US in Trinidad.
But in so barth? No no nooooo
A quick €8600 ($9600) + €163 ferry ride over and your dreams too can come true!! Mini Cooper taste with Nissan Note pocket!!

Not being new to the buying used car business (I buy all my cars used...to varying degrees), Ive embarked on my usual pattern.

Change oil, oil filter, air filter, get it cleaned, get it detailed...make it mine.

I seemed to have forgotten than SXM has no "bamboo". So whilst I got the oil and oil filter faaairlly easily, the brake pads ( according to the Controle Technique of the car) which needs replacing is but a dream in SXM. So all.in all.I need to order brake pads, air filters, cabin filters..the whole lot. I also want to bring in new emblems for the front of the car as the old one is super faded (is it worth the $40 you tell me).

So this weekend is FULLY of activity.
Got the car from over on.french side yesterday, spent all morning this morning taking out the filthy never been changed oil to my castrol 5W30...so I'm sure this car feels as if she's entered a spa.
Im starting to move in my stuff to the house tomorrow!!! (I move in monday) (Sayanara crappy room in a great location!!)

Tomorrow night is my first soca fete on the island...annnd Im also going to hit up a garage sale (old habits die hard) as I need a patio set aaaaand some decor.

As you see there's a common thread here...$$
From the car, mechanic, fete and to moving in...
But I have this total feeling of excitement..perhaps its the freedom that having a car (finally) affords

Yay!

Sunday Funday!

Well I am definitely getting into the swing of things here in SXM. I've found a volleyball team (so now I can loose these pesky pounds) I've found my favorite eating place in the Simpson Bay area - a ridiculous health food store called Top Carrot I've finally gotten to see my new digs in Belair (more on that later) I had to blaze a 'vagrant' or two along the Boardwalk in Philipsburg - unlike the locals who just scurry away. So! This weekend was really doing all things local. Friday, I braved the streets and went to check out the local KFC. Word of advice..dont do it. The original is just oil on bones and the spicy is overcooked to the point that it's tough. Even the biscuit was disappointing *womp womp* Saturday, I went to volleyball training session for 2 hours!!!!! Before I could take a snooze I ended up bumming a ride to Kooymans - as I'll be moving into my new digs at the end of this month to get my cleaning game on and get some essentials...lawd this place expensive. Then on Saturday night *whew* I had a busy day, I went to a volleyball championship playoff that ended at 1am!!! I really do not know how or why these people schedule games for dead of night but..it's the ppl place. As usual it was full of excitement and ole talk which was great and made me really feel 'at home'. Sunday...oh Sunday... After arriving home at 1.05am after the games, I had to get up at 4.30am to go to a walk-a-thon..yes...4.30am. So they schedule vball matches at the dead of night, and walk-a-thons at the Zombie hour. lol. However, when they finally got started, the route took me through a short cut to the house in Belair..so that was pleasant. otherwise I did a 3km walk and run..and I'm glad I did - anything longer (which was the 10km) would have been certain death for me...However, I am interested in training enoguh to be able to run an entire 3km. I prob ran/jogged/slow crawled 1/3 of the course..sooo not too bad. Did the whole thing in 29 minutes while sightseeing and admiring the mountains! lol Then! Before I could fall asleep properly (I do confess to taking a nap in the Guardian offices after the walk a thon), my hostess took me to the house so I could see it as the old tenants were moving out... OMG...some expats have NO shame..the wear and tear of this home after these people occupied the place for 1 years is ABYSMAL. They didnt even want to clean the damn place and was nickle and diming my host about what they left behind could contribute to the cleaning bill..MY WORD! AND JUST TALK ABOUT NASTY!!! I honestly think 1 week is NOT enough for them to do everything..however, the purpose was served where we knew what was missing, what needed EXTENSIVE cleaning and what furniture I'd need to get short to long terms...but these people...nasty!!! ugh..I almost don't want to take up occupancy after them. I also feel sorry for the owner as I'm sure she'll prob have to spend the equivalent of a month's rent in getting the property back on its feet. So that was the first con..but rectifiable After thaaaaat! I went to the beach (as I can see the beach from my temp accommodation, can walk to it in less than 20 seconds, but havent stepped foot in the water in near 2 damned weeks!). So got there, took a chair and paddled in the water for about 20 minutes. Checked out the ilovesxm bar which has a trini playing DJ on sundays and apparently there's another trini playing pan in the bar next door as well on a sunday!!! wooohoo! pros all around! buut of course there are some cons. Second con about SXM I've realised is that the men here are particularly...parched..thirsty..randy..horny..Dont know if its because I am considered 'fresh meat'..but damn they are forward with their interrogations and WASTE NO TIME in asking you out. ugh. Give me breathing space..please. I enjoy my pace of life right now. THey need to go get a drink of water...and not nikki water. lol But back to the good...my car SHOULD arrive this week! yay!! I SHOULD get paid this week DOUBLE YAY!!! LOL

Where iguanas fear no man

Ooh Sint Maarten

Small, picturesque, friendly.

I'm starting my 3rd week on the island, and I can see why people love it here.

But for me, it's not home.
Striking elements are
1. The lack of public holidays (only trinis will understand)
2. No/limited public transport
3. Cheap cars
4. The immigrant from Arima makes awful tasteless roti (I dont think I'll ever get over it)
5. IGUANAS ARE LIKE THE STRAY CHICKENS OF TOBAGO HERE!!!

The latter realisation is so.disconcerting as Iguana, in trinidad, is seen as a delicacy! But in SXM, they couldnt be bothered.

Week 1

Well..its a little past hump week, and I can most certainly say that, although no actual work has started, I am learning things..adult things

Things like why landlords put clauses in their leases that access to the commercial building is limited to 10pm

Until you find out that the previous tenant sought to diversify their income stream by introducing a *cough cough* massage parlour.

I kid you not

I cackled.

Anywhoser, after checking out the offices to which we'll be relocating with my new boss, I've been put in charge of arranging the architects and getting insurance quotations. The latter, yeah..small thing. The former? Huh!?

So.basically I have now entered the world of...procurement.

Save me.

#sxmstrong

Touch down - SXM

I really need to get back into the groove of blogging.

Today was Day 1 (June 3) of what I expected to be buckling down and getting to work.

Jokes.

As per usual in the Caribbean, room not ready, no computers, no phone for another *gasp* two weeks.

Cue the two hour lunch break for my boss and I at a lovely sea side restaurant near to the cruise ship complex.

I'm back at my very "rustic" airbnb and.tonight im going to attempt to take a sweat..I.e.my long lost love...vball.

Cut to two days ago, we arrive in Sint Maarten after an early start after a greuling 5 day conference in Barbados. After more than 3 hours on a plane where CAL only dispenses ONE cup of juice (shame on you CAL), we arrive to the unfriendly face of immigration and customs...

That hurdle crossed, SXM small. If it wasnt so hilly and I wasnt such a big chicken and a baby, I'd have bought a bicycle. Locals keep reciting the same rhyme. 37km2 and 45000 ppl.

Thats half the size of tobago and 1/3 of the population.

Yeah..it chinksy. But for the moment, I'm staying a stone's throw away from the beach in my "rustic accommodation"...and the only commitment that I've made thus far is to take a sea bath once per week (not into the washing hair business).

Well..till next time!