TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos ..the good people of SXM..

I figured before people get mad at me, I better give my own story. My first year in SXM, I was walking down the hill from Flamingo and headed for Peg Leg. A local stopped and asked us if we needed a ride. Being overly cautious, we at first said no, but decided we'd accept aferall. We ended up going w/this local to get his oil changed first, and then with him to his friends birthday party. We were welcomed w/open arms. We were offered beer, cake and a stake in a dominoes game. Despite all my good experiences, I still remember being at a local birthday party over all else. I love the people and corresponde with many from the birthday party to this day.

In the early 90's while working as a Police Officer for the City of Cleveland Ohio I was approached by a man asking directions. I asked him where he was from. He told me he grew up on a very small island that I probably never heard of. I asked him what Island. When he replied St. Martin I asked what side the Dutch or French. With that his eyes lit up and he told me the Dutch side. We talked for a few minutes. About an hour later this man approached me again, this time with his wife and children. I was introduced to his whole family and on our next trip to St. Martin I met his Family on the Island whom we stay in contact with.

Actually, I think you are way out of line.. A $30 tip on a $70 check amounts to about 43% in my book.

Larry,

Great stories, both of them! Thanks...

"Didn't mean to sound rude"? Maybe not, but it sure seems to come naturally to you.

The $70 already would have included a tip. And, I did leave even a larger tip on our return. And I did offer to leave the $100 and stop back another day which he graciously refused.

The second story was a different event, a different day, no relation between the two.

Larry, there is absolutely no need to defend or explain yourself.

I very much enjoyed your stories. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />


Bernd

I love this post too!!! And many stories to come to my mind.... like the time we had a flat on Cul de Sac road going to dinner and the spare was flat too... a coupla really nice guys came by and helped us...
But two favorites that come to mind right off are:
The time we had dinner at le California, paid with credit card, and left. We get 1/2 way down Grand Case Blvd., walking and hear someone calling our name. We look to see the waiter running down the street toward us with the card in his hand!
And then the one about Martin Brink. My best friend, who traveled with us to SXM several times died and we got permission to plant a tree at Club O for her. Had a nice ceremony and then we left to come home. The tree died. As soon as he realized it, Martin sent someone to get another tree and re-planted it. Thankfully, that one lived. I thought that was really nice of him.

I really like to remember the good stuff. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Me too.

Yes, that's why we keep going back, eh? The good stuff.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

In 1983 my husband and I wanted to by a cooler, we were staying at club orient but drove into Philipsburg to go shopping. We asked everyone we met if they knew where we could buy a cooler. Finally someone sent us to the front of town to the second floor of a nice store. We climbed the stairs and told the saleperson that we were told we could find a cooler here, he said OH! Yes we have many coolers here. I looked to the back wall looking at refrigerators.
I said NO I was looking for the smaller kind you don't plug in and put ice in and can bring to the beach. Back then you couldn't find a cooler anywhere. We went back to CO and met a person on the beach who was leaving that day and said to us "We brought this cooler down with us but we are going home tomorrow, Would you like to have it?" We treated them to dinner and of course took their cooler, passing it on to the next tourist we had met before we checked out.

Carol,
A very nice thread indeed.

One of my favorite memories is of a wonderful dinner one night, sitting on the small balcony of the La Vie en Rose in Marigot with my wife. There was a tall ship in Marigot harbor with it's rigging lit up, and the local children were in the park across the steet practicing their Christmas Pagent songs. Their voices accompanied by steel drums gave us the best rendition of Silent Night I have ever heard. It still gives me goose bumps thinking about the view and the sounds of that evening.

Wow, that does sound like a lovely memory! Thanks for posting it!

What a fabulous picture you painted! La Vie en Rose is my favorite restaurant in St. Martin, and I can just imagine how beautiful that must have been! Thank you so much for sharing.

Great stories! My wife & I are arriving Friday for some overdue R/R & our 11th Anniversary. While I used to travel in the old (Navy) days, she never has. We thought we would just go with no expectations, plans, or dinner reservations! But now after hearing how wonderful & caring the people are - it may be hard not to have expectations! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> We look forward to meeting who we will meet & enjoying what I am sure will be the 1st of many trips!

BTW, The whole currancy thing is a bit confusing! Sounds like cash $US is good, travelers cheques, too. The Euro conversion statetside feels a little steep... advice welcome!
Mike & Tammy
**************
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." – Stephen Grellet

Sounds like you got the money thing pretty well under control. Dont bother converting US to Euro. Its expensive and not worth the effort. Have yourself the time of your life.

One day when we were leaving Baie Rouge (before there were any food shacks, etc.) we discovered our car wouldn't start. There was no one there except just the 2 of us, so we decided to start walking back towards Cupecoy. We had probably walked about a mile or so, when a truck pulled up and asked if we needed a ride. The guys that picked us up were construction workers working on Port de Plaisance, which ironically, is where we ended up buying our timeshare!They drove us to the rental place and they gave us another car.