Notes from Hardship Posting #4, Sint Maarten! (#1, Simi Valley, #2, New Orleans, #3, Dallas!)
Hello Chris and Jim!
Trust you are both well. Sorry that it has taken me so long to send a message but life has been hectic and I simply haven't had as much time to correspond as i would have liked. On a very sad note, I am quite devastated to report that Imre died about two weeks ago, now. Heard from a close friend of his. I knew things were getting pretty serious but I did expect to see him upon return in February. Not to be, obviously.
Back home to visit the ACU gym just across the courtyard from our building where I rode for an hour on a stationary bike, (Ski and Ronaldo were on the recumbent models), watching music videos from the '80's on VH1 Classic. Really pleased to have access to the facility as cycling here would be rather difficult and extremely dangerous given the fact that the roads are narrow, but two lanes and the drivers impatient. Interestingly enough, one probably needs to be more concerned about the the motorcyclists as the ones we've encountered to date weave in and out of traffic at high speed, passing on blind curves and hills, darting in to the oncoming lane, regardless of whether approaching vehicles are visible or not. Whoever is driving must be mindful of the lunatics!! Motorcycles and scooters believe and behave as if the middle of the road is a lane just for them!
No shoulders, at all, so not an inch of wiggle room if one is cycling. Too, too bad as it would be a wonderful ride around the island on what I have roughly estimated to be about between 27-33 miles/43-50 kilometres of road through some decent hills and along stunning seashores, of course.
Surf is quite gentle so it was fun to bob along the shore at the end of the swim, simply enjoying the aquamarine water and the gentle waves. Not overly much visibility as water was reasonably cloudy with sand at this time of day. Don't think there is all that much to see, at any rate. Not that I minded, inasmuch, it was more than pleasant enough to be simply swimming in such a paradisal situation.
Chatted with one of Ronaldo's AUC colleagues, Scott Berner, and his wife, Bonnie, from St Louis, who were reading under their own beach umbrella when we arrived. Plan to have them for dinner later this week to play a bit of bridge. Once we'd dried off in the late afternoon sunshine, we strolled back to the apartmento for quick showers to rinse off salt and sand. Then the rest of the gang deserted me: The Babes to attend a bead work session at a neighbouring condo complex, Arbor, Professore to his office to prepare for tomorrow's lecture. Once I've sent a few more messages, I'm charged with saladin preparation. CoraLeeta will be, upon return, frying some Mahi Mahi fillets to have with rice and the fresh green beans we picked up at Rastafari this morning. Loads of French wine here so will have a Delas, Tournon sur Rhone, 2008 Viognier, 13%, before dinner and a Pic Saint Loup, Gérard Bertrand Grand Vin du Languedoc, (a typical Southern Rhone blend, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre),13.5%, with the meal.
Pics: Local Rastafari fruit; Ski broke her fibula on December 21st, portable boot cast to come off in a week or so; signage; Zee Best; idle rich; gym; Ronaldo after workout, exhausted on balcony; Ski tripped this morning, on my foot, and broke the small toe on left foot; Mullet Bay; double rainbow, looking out our balcony, eastward; view to the west.
The Salmon is cooked in a small “hell”
between fires, surrounded by salt. The result is a moist, perfectly
cooked fish. Perfect with some roasted potatoes and glass of Torrontes.
I shall live badly if I do not write, and I shall write badly if I do not live. -Francoise Sagan, playwright and novelist (1935-2004)
Hi Chloe, just came from street market. Grandma is 88 not 89 as you posted.
I think we have 30 days in which to return ben's deposit,but will double check.
The woman was Anne Moyer who died.
I can't believe that krissy and mark are being counter sued what a jerk.
Will ask your dad about your charger, was it for your camera.Talk soon love mom.
Hi Patrick,
Great
to hear from you. I’m just in from a quick ploughing of last night’s 1
½ inches of snow. Not really necessary as it will thaw later today but
wanted
to make sure the cleaning lady didn’t have problems getting in and
out. It’s actually quite beautiful with the fresh snowfall.
We’re
back to our lives here in Naramata after the great week in New
Orleans. I’m quite busy with work. I have a report to review over the
next couple of
days and then a trip to Denver next week to discuss. Then off to Peru
on Feb 17 for a week.
Lynnie
and I attended the Robbie Burns SOWTS event on Sunday. Of the 10
whiskies we tasted, our favourite was a Glenfiddich 17 year old Cask of
Dreams.
We tasted 3 whiskies from Tomatin, which is actually one of Scotland’s
largest whisky distillers, but mainly produces blending malts. We tried
12, 15 and 18 year olds. The 15 year old was OK but none worth writing
home about. The food and company were great
and a good time was had.
Thanks
for the great pictures. I was intrigued by the Rastafarian fruit
basket. The pink fruit made me think of seeing-eye vaginas. Quite
attractive, really.
Saint Martin looks wonderful. Hope you don’t get bored! Cheers, Peter
Such beautiful landscape! I will try to pretend that there is a
beach awaiting just outside the Y this morning while I pedal away on my
recumbent bike. Lots of snow here this winter which is strange for this
climate. Oh well, the snow has given me
some impetus to get back to doing a little watercolour painting. I
haven't picked up a brush for 10 years. Glad you are all well and
enjoying yourselves. Try to keep those legs under control Ciao
 |
| Internet Love! |
From January 1 to June 30, 2012, I am on study leave. I will be checking my email regularly.
Pat,
Great photos. It does look
idyllic. The island looks to have the perfect distance to cycle but too
risky it seems. Sounds as if you can get all the physical activity you
need either in the gym or in the water. Wet and miserable
here as usual for the time of year. We've had a very quiet time since
Christmas which is OK. Break in the weather Friday and Saturday so I'll
see if I can get George or others to resume riding. At least I will be
able to watch England v Scotland at Twickenham
this weekend. Ray
No comments:
Post a Comment