Road Crossings.

The Fisherman knew he was in love when the two of us drove through the King Ranch on the way to a weekend get-away in Mexico, and I spotted more road kill than he did.  Bizarre, I know, but it is often the only time you can get up close to wild animals with out them scratching your face off.  Coons, fox, snakes…..none of that here on St. Croix.

BUT- look at what we do have!  This used to bug the hell out of me: 

A Cruzan Traffic Jam because you have to wait for goats to cross the roads.  Yes, goats.   And yes, even main roads, not back-bush-nobody-travels roads. (thanks to a fellow bfm for submitting this photo)  But it happens so much, I even snapped one the other day:

I’ve been known to be the crazy lady on the side of the road trying to catch one for my kids to pet. (I still have my Texas registration stickers on my car!)

This was going on down my street:

I actually had time to stop, unbuckle SC from her seat, roll down the window to let her see these gnarly creatures and to hear her exclaim “Look Mom, they’re wrestling!”

Yes, yes they are.

I bet you would never expect to see THIS on our tropical island:

Peacocks live and roost in the area known as 5 Corners.  The females, not as elaborate, have been known to frequent Food Town, no doubt doing a last dash for a forgotten dinner ingredient.  I know some of them roost on Salud’s roof.  That is the only reason SC goes with the Fisherman when he sells them fish.

And lastly, the elusive mongoose.  Brought here by those smart Europeans to help control the rat population (really, its been going on that long?)  Well, no one told those skapares that mongoose hunt during the day and rats by night.

A photo?  I don’t have one yet…they are too quick when they cross the road, but here is what they look like:

Nasty little boogers, looks like this one could use some dental work.  Usually the ones on STX have dreads and a “certain smell” about them.  I would not want to get into a fight with this weasel.  One good thing, they like to eat snakes.  So much so, that they anilihated the snake population from St. Croix.  No joke, we don’t have snakes here!

And that is today’s lesson in what you might encounter crossing our roads.  Remember, we drive on the left!

Have you forgotten about The Challenge?  C’mon, just ask!

The Seven Year Itch.

We’ve got it!  The Fisherman & I will celebrate 7 years of living on St. Croix November 4th.  Seven years ago we decided to take a chance.  It was easy back then.  No kids.  No “real jobs” (although my employer at the time might argue against that).  Nothing to tie a couple of twenty-somethings down.  We packed 4 bags total (mine had curtains in them), loaded up the Rodeo, drove to Florida with a 3lb Yorkie

(may she rest in peace), put the car on a ship and got on a plane (with a 3lb Yorkie). 

And never looked back.  I don’t think I could do that now.  It was our age.

Regardless, we said we would give it a year.  A year came and went…and so did two…and three…and so on.  We partied hard those years before kids.  This was OUR island.  Now, raising a family on our tropical land mass, we are experiencing a new St. Croix that we love just as much.  And we still find time to party.

All that mushy lovey stuff being said, YES!  I miss Texas.  YES!  It is harder than hell to live here.  YES!  I miss my family.  YES!  I miss all the convenience that comes with living stateside.  YES!  I miss the seasons.  YES!  I miss Target.  YES! I miss central A/C.  But would I give up what I have here  and move back???  Well, that all depends on the circumstance.  The Fisherman and I discuss it quite often, actually.  Its kind of hard for him to fish in Central Texas.  And fishing outfits are a dime a dozen in Florida.  He’d be a little fish in a big pond. Oh, and not sure where we would get the million dollars to buy a boat to compete on the banks of Florida.  And, I am quite certain that if (or when) we move back to the states, I would find just as much stuff to bitch about and miss living the good live in STX.

Here are a few honest truths I have learned about living on St. Croix…for the past seven, SEVEN years.  Remember, these pertain to MY (The Holley Household) lifestyle on STX; if you are currently a resident you may agree, disagree and have your own set of realities.  In no particular order, Here Goes:

• Conserve water, food and electricity.  Only flush after #2.  Turn off the fans and lights if you are not in a room.  WAPA will eat you out of house & home.  Food costs are high and the quality is low.  Make every bite count.
• Everything costs more (see above).
• Roaches & rats live in paradise, too.
• Always greet people with Good Morning (MOOR’ NIN), Good Afternoon (or AFTA’ NOON), and Good Night (as a greeting, not something you say when you leave, Texans).  And you don’t even have to be particulary cheerful about it.
• Never go grocery shopping on the 1st or 15th of the month.
• Plan on visiting 2-3 grocery stores to complete your grocery list.
• Enjoy every minue at the beach.  Most people dream of “this lifestyle”.
• You can have an open container (of an adult beverage) in your vehicle AND even be drinking it, but you MUST, I repeat, YOU MUST have your seatbelt on. (and not be talking on the phone).
• Centipedes are a f’in way of life.
• Plan on at least a full  8 hour day when dealing with a government office. Drivers license, registering your car, business license, taxes…
• Mongoose like to fight with iguanas.
• Coconut wata’ does not taste good.
• Bananas from my yard at the best!
• Never sleep under a coconut tree.
• Forcast for the past seven years has been Sunny, 88 degrees with a 10% chance of rain.

On my St. Croix, Today is the same as yesterday, and tomorrow will be the same as today.

The days are long, but the years are short.  Seven years have flown by.

Let’s give it another year.

footnote:  Thought you would enjoy this flier my M.I.L helped me put together for our “scouting trip” to STX.  We thought were so cool.  Can’t wait for our kids to see this a appreciate it: