Sucessful PMV 🙂

Well, I finally got on island and experienced things. After knowing about my job for about six months, and planning a move, it was getting ridiculous that I hadn't actually been to STT.

We stayed at the Best Western Emerald Beach, which I think was a good choice for a pre-move visit. It was close to town, and not so luxurious that I would forget why I was on STT- to figure out what it would be like to move there. Frenchman's Reef and the Ritz Carlton were beautiful, but staying there would have given me a disillusion about the island, i think.

Driving was my favorite part of the trip. Constantine at Amalie Rental Car gave us a great deal, and even came in on his day off to get us a car. It took me a day to convince my mom that i could be trusted to drive around by myself. So while she layed on the beach at Emerald Beach (which was a GREAT beach with a lot of locals, and tourists too)...I explored the island. Pueblo grocery store, both Kmarts, Cost-u-Less. Checked out America's Paradise Gym in Nisky Center, because I have a friend from the states that works there. Went with him and some of his friends to the Green House on Tuesday night, where I met another great bunch of people. Everyone was welcoming to the idea that I would be moving down, AFTER they found out that my contract was for at least three years. Everyone's first question was "How long will you be here?" Guess they are used to people coming and going...

One thing I liked is the fact that everyone knows everyone. I come from a small town of about 4,000. And we run in the same circles all the time. I like that feeling of knowing people, of having a close-knit community. That fact alone will make me less homesick...

Did some touristy stuff, too. Went to Tortolla one day, because my grandparents lived in the BVI for 11 years. My grandpa is 91, and we wanted to take some pictures for him, get him a newspaper, tee-shirt, etc. They miss the islands like crazy, but their health is failing too much to live there anymore. Went to St. John for dinner, and also did a dinner sail on New Horizons at sunset.

The trip has raised more questions than it answered, but has answered one big one for me: I love STT and I do want to live there, at least for three years. I'll post my other questions as they come to me.