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Hello everyone. I've been reading this message board for over a year now and have decided it's time to introduce myself and put out a couple of thoughts.
My name is Kate and I plan on being on St Thomas in June or July. I'm currently living in Florida and doing the seasonal work thing. It's been a very lucrative season for me. I've been working a job at a resort restaurant waiting tables full time and working at another restaurant waiting tables part time. I'm a really experienced seasonal worker having worked around the country as well as in other countries. I've decided that it's time to try the USVI. I wanted to be there for this season, but the offer for the job that I'm working now was too good to pass up. I'll be leaving Florida when my lease is up at the end of April and driving back north to visit the fam and go to a friend's wedding. Then I'm off to Puerto Rico to hang out for a while and then over to St Thomas.
My dates are extremely flexible and I'd love to have some contacts before I get there since I don't know anyone. Being a stranger in a strange land doesn't worry me a bit. I've done it for a long time and it's a wonderful, surreal, frustrating, joyful, learning experience. I spent many years getting a formal education and have found that I've learned so much more by travelling and living in new places and waiting tables/bartending/teaching English than I ever did sitting at a computer and making maps (that was my real job out of college).
So, if you or anyone you know will be arriving in the general time frame of June/July drop me a line. I'd love to meet someone who will be going through the process as well. I'll be looking for a place to live and would prefer a roommate situation not only to split expenses but also to help each other out when in need and to be friends and support. Or if anyone will be looking for an extremely responsible, non-flighty, experienced traveller/mover to new places person to rent a room let me know. My rent in SW Florida is high so I'm not worried about that at all.
Any general advice is always welcome, but thanks to this message board and my well worn copy of the settlers guide I don't think I can think of any questions. Oh, thought of one that I'm sure has been addressed, but I can't recall. Here it is:
Scooters? Pros? Cons?
Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded message and I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted : March 31, 2005 10:48 pm
Topic starter
Just searched the message board and found out all kinds of info on scooters, but would still like to hear some personal accounts if anyone has a story to tell.
Posted : March 31, 2005 10:58 pm
Most folks will tell you to get a car. I do see people driving them as well as cycles around. You do have to be careful!
Ronnie
Posted : April 1, 2005 2:22 am
I have been driving my bikes on STT for over 7 years and not had any problems...well, except for the off-duty cop that hit me and caused a major accident (I was in ICU for 6 days). For the first few weeks, just be very careful..,When I say that, I mean 'be very careful'. Don't look at the scenery, look at the road and at the car in front of you. Get used to 'stay left'. When you come to any intersection, or driveway or any other place that a car can enter the road from, be very aware. Someone could pop out at any moment. Be wary of tourists, as they aren't used to driving on the left on our windy, hilly roads, with great views around every corner. Be aware of any cars or taxis stopping for no apparent reason (it's legal to do that here). Drive VERY slow when the roads are wet, as they get super slippery for bikes. Does that help some?
Posted : April 1, 2005 12:55 pm
Make sure you have medical insurance. I cant count the number of people i know that have gotten hurt on there bikes. I ride in the states but not here.
Posted : April 2, 2005 3:31 am
Jim,
Why don't you ride here if you do in the States? Sure beats sitting in traffic! Haha! I have been riding since I was 8 and will always own them. I hear alot of people say they wouldn't ride here, but, as long as you pay attention and get used to it here, it becomes second nature.
Posted : April 2, 2005 11:13 am
Topic starter
Thanks for all the input, but as you may be able to tell by my nickname I'm a bit accident prone so it looks like I'll be looking for a car. Especially since I've never ridden a scooter on a flat straight road let alone a hilly curvy one. Maybe I'll practice in PR first. If you can survive on the roads there, you can survive on the roads anywhere!
Posted : April 2, 2005 8:56 pm
Marty
Its not how i drive. ( i use to race motocross) Its the drivers you have to look out for. You getting hit. If you do intend to ride be safe lake Marty said
Posted : April 2, 2005 9:37 pm
Jimbo is right about that. on 4-15-03 I was passing an off-duty cop, unbeknownst to me, while going up Donoe, when he swerved over to mess with me, but swerved too far. Got my front wheel while I was accellerating (and making a helluva racket on my Harley, I must say) past him and down I went. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent 6 days in ICU. I Have no memory of the next 4 1/2 months. Had to re-learn who my wife was, where I lived, who I was, etc. But my bike is back on the road now. Although, I'll tell ya, now my short-term memory is...is...uhh...what was I saying?
Posted : April 3, 2005 12:43 am
