Greetings from St. Maarten

We caught an early flight out of Indianapolis, made a long stop in Charlotte and then got to Saint Maarten ("SXM") around 4 p.m. on Sunday. The flight from Charlotte to SXM was a breeze as we waited to board until the last second and then agreed to take exit row seating since we spoke English. It seems a sports team speaking only French had selected those seats and boarded just in front of us. Rather than reseating people already on the plane, we volunteered our seats for theirs. I love it when a plan comes together! 

We rented our car and headed for the condo. Our phones do not work here except when wifi is available. Shockingly, that isn't all that often. This meant we had to navigate without assistance. WE HAD TO USE A MAP! It was hard. It was ugly. We eventually found our place. I still don't know how since there is no address posted and street signs do not mean a darn thing here. Anyway, we made it. The place is as-advertised (always a relief) and he let us pay in cash upon arrival instead of paying to wire money. Amazing how different cultures are- I'm fairly certain we'd never do business this way in America. Both sides were honest so it worked out.

Our evening view

The sun was going down as we settled in for the evening. We did hop back out and grabbed dinner at a local restaurant. We had a mahi-mahi quesadilla which was quite good. The service is on island time, though. That's always such an adjustment for us. 

We decided to spend Monday exploring the island. It isn't all that large so we drove around almost the entire thing in one afternoon. We stopped in Philipsburg (the capital of the Dutch side of the island) and walked the boardwalk. 

Hilarious yield signs 

We found a Hard Rock Cafe for my Mom.

Getting a pin for Mom

The boardwalk area was pretty cool and we plan to return. We actually ate at the HRC, a first for us.

Lunch view

Soaking in the sun!

It looks fake behind him

After lunch and hanging out at the beach for a bit, we continued to make our way around the island. The roads leave something to be desired. Actually, they leave a lot to be desired. The contrast of poverty and utterly astounding wealth is hard to reconcile. You pass by beaches with huge yachts anchored and then look around and see squalor. It is hard on the heart. We finished our island tour and headed to Maho Beach which is famous for being the beach where planes fly low as they land. It was pretty cool!

Jackson directing traffic

The beach when planes aren't coming in

Beachin'

Me taking in a landing. Note: I am not drinking (though it appears
that way), I'm also clothed. Jackson isn't the best photographer. ;)

Our view. WILD!!

That was about enough excitement for one day so we stopped in at the grocery and grabbed supplies to eat in for the evening. That consisted of cereal and bagels because our stove was not working. Wah!

Sunset on the balcony

Not a bad place to blog...

Lovely.

Amazing.

There it goes... :(

I think it is so funny how on vacation sunsets are so important to us. On a normal day I couldn't tell you when sunrise or sunset will be. Vacations really make us more aware of the world around us. I think that is partially why we love them so much. The lives we lead can feel so busy, but when your day revolves around the sunrise and sunset suddenly nothing else matters much.