Learning the Island Ways

So it’s the first day after my arrival to St. John, it’s not even daylight and there is a rooster crowing outside my bedroom window and a lot of loud construction going on. I mean LOUD construction. Michelle happens to live across from the car ferry dock (not to be confused with the people ferry dock) and they are making major repairs. Guess it’s time to get up and even though I am not a morning person, I’m very excited to begin my exploration of St. John’s Cruz Bay!😁

Since Michelle doesn’t have a car, we do a little in town exploring because later in the week she is planning to rent a car to show me more of the island. But first she has to give me a little lesson on some of the customs regarding the Virgin Island natives called Virgin Islanders (also sometimes called West Indians since most ,about 81%, of the population are West Indian).

She told me that it was customary that when you passed someone in the street or before you went up to ask directions or a question about something you would greet that person with a “good morning, good afternoon or good night” ,depending on the time of day , before you even said anything else. Because if you didn’t greet them properly, they probably will not answer your question or talk to you because they consider it rude to not have a proper greeting before speaking. And if they are displeased they will suck their teeth in displeasure… kind of like our giving somebody the finger when someone offends us 😂.

Alrighty then! I’m itching to get outside into the warm sunshine and see a little bit of Cruz Bay. Michelle literally holds onto my arm to help me down the steep road because she says, “I can’t have you toppling down into the street!! You are not used to these hills!”

We get into town and Michelle is right …everyone , friend or stranger, is saying “good morning” as they pass you by!! I love it! She shows me the restaurant where she is currently working , La Tapa , one of the best restaurants on island. La Tapa is a Mediterranean restaurant whose menu changes nightly depending on the local produce and local fish available and boasts a 25 wine by the glass selection with an emphasis on Spanish wines. Oooo! I can’t wait to eat there!

So now it’s time to head down to the waterfront by the dock so I can see that incredible blue water , have a nice tropical drink while sitting in a beach chair provided by the waterfront bar/restaurants. Oh, yeah!

I got a delicious rum drink called Painkiller. The original Painkiller was created in the British Virgin Islands back in the 70’s and has become one of the most popular drinks of the USVI and the BVI. Since there are rum distilleries on the islands, you might recognize the names Captain Morgan and Cruzan, rum is very inexpensive and popular.

We decide to take a walk about before sunset. And what’s this??

Yep! It’s not unusual to see a peacock, an iguana and a donkey in the street🤣

Well, it’s time to take in the sunset to end an interesting day. We get a rental “beater” tomorrow to explore the beaches and more of the island…woo-hoo!!!!!