Jonesing for St. Martin

I'm missing St. Martin right now.

It's natural I suppose because I've spent so much time down there over the past several years. There was a pattern that I'd grown accustomed to where I was going down four times each year. Up until last year I'd spent the previous six Christmas' in the Caribbean and five of the past New Year's (be sure to check the expiration date on your passport BEFORE you leave the country!).

There's the anticipation of course and even on my darkest and loneliest days there was an excitement about being there again. It's an early morning flight out of Savannah so one of the kids would drop me off at the airport for the flight to Atlanta where I'd enjoy the Crown Room before making the four hour flight to the island.

I was flying a lot in those days so I'd amassed a zillion Frequent Flyer Miles and was bumped to first class which was great when you're suddenly single. I'd watch the latest movies for free and drink a lot of wine. When we landed at Princess Juliana airport though I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas morning!

Clearing customs fast and not having to wait on luggage (which takes forever) I'd grab a couple of Dutch Coffee's for the ride to the French side. Either Luis or his wife Daisey ... or my dear friends Carlos or Verna would pick me up. I'd lost the laundry pretty quickly because it's never under 80 degrees there and sip on the Heineken while we climb the mountain through the middle region.

Verna takes the longest to get me there because she loved driving a white man with his bear feet on her dash so she'd ride by all of her friends houses laughing and saying, "Oh My God," in her lovely St. Kitts accent.

Checking in I would be kissed on both cheeks by Karima and Annette then I'd walk to the store and Mimi treats me with endearing indifference. Making my way to the tiny studio I'd unpack my groceries and my tub full of stuff which I leave down there.

Then it's straight to Orient Bay where ... the Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

During the first walk by the crystal clear, aqua water I learned who was there. Mary and Denise? Jack and Loraine? Hooker Man and Levy? John Bob Jovi and Skank? I already know when Conner and Hania, Hugh and Patty and the Kosters are arriving.

Afterwards its to Papgayo to meet up with Nancy, Karine, Kenny, Patu and some guy named Ambrosia. On the way I'd hug Matina, Angela, Ana and that bitch Nathalie. I'd have dinner and hook up with more friends before dancing breaks out and I get my work out done.

The next day I'd do it all again.

Unless Carlos talked me into doing something ... which he often does ... like the time he took me to the Lingerie one Sunday afternoon.

Then Conner and Hania and Hugh and Patty would arrive and things really started to happen. I don't happen to recall any of them at this time and have absolutely no idea who drove me home from Papagyo's which is about forty feet from my studio.

Last year Sarah got to go for the first time and we collided with all of the above and lets just say that it was quite fun.

Anyway Christmas and New Year's is coming around and nothing puts me in the Spirit more than the Caribbean!

I've had a blessing of a year. I have no idea how it all worked out but it all seems to be working out. It reaffirms faith in God, who I believe actually lives on a House Boat right between St. Martin and Saba. I keep meaning to swim out there and say hey but all of the aforementioned friends seem to prevent me.

"Honey, I'm writing everybody about us all hooking back up in St. Martin," Sarah says in passing and my heart starts doing flips.

The Christmas Spirit followed by the New Year's Spirit which is then followed by an actual New Year!

This has been a really great one but I find myself really exited about the next one!