Arrival

First day on St. Thomas – the airport was jammed with tourists. Two things that struck me – the smell of suntan lotion hanging in the air, coming off all the tourists who no doubt came straight from the beach to the airport. On the flip side were all the people who flew down from the States wearing turtlenecks and jackets and ties and such, like they didn’t know where they were going to land.

The island has been getting rain, I can see, but there are still patches of brown. The power plant still looks like it is on its last legs, despite the fresh coat of paint. At least I can’t see all the rust. Some official from the previous government has been found to have embezzled almost a million dollars in the most brazen way possible: writing checks to himself. The truest indication of progress here is that he has been arrested.


On the way home we drove on the Northside, my old haunt. It is still beautiful – it is so clear today that Culebra looks like it sprouted from the West End of St. Thomas, Tortola looks like it pushed into St. John’s place and St. John drifted over to join St. Thomas. The sky is gorgeous and crystal blue.


The cat recognized me instantly and clamored at once to climb onto my lap before proceeding to attack my shoes. The apartment is lovely as always and my parents look well. It was nice to catch up and admire their new orchids. They had a lovely visit from my godfather and my aunt who live in Pennsylvania. It sounds like fun was had by all, but I would be shocked if it were the opposite.

After a lovely sunset, we ate morue (saltfish), old wife (another fish), green bananas and red beans with rice. Dessert was Vienna cake (a local specialty) that I love with all my heart.