From Peaks Island to Saint John

First off, I’m terrible at writing in a timely manner I have multiple teachers who could attest to that. On that note, thank you to Terry Linehan & team for dealing with me! Secondly, I’m still shocked I live in paradise. Now let’s get down to the point of this Tumblr & get everyone who cares in the loop!

Quick recap with my little detour in Florida. I couldn’t be more appreciative for the hospitality Laura & Bobbea showed me or just getting to hang out with one of my best girlfriends before moving. Then of course finishing up last minute adventures with Evan made it feel just like we were back in the good ol’ state of Maine. It was great to be able to relax & reset before so many changes were about to unfold. That all sounds kind of cheesy, but either way I’m thankful it was apart of the journey & I had a blast. So here’s to everyone involved in the Florida chapter of my adventure, thanks loves!

Now the St John part has a lot to cover &, to no surprise, will most likely be all over the place just like a conversation with me.

Big thanks to Kelsey & Jack for letting me bombard them with questions & picking their brains before moving down and then their hospitality & showing me around once I got down here. Seriously, the help you guys have given me is invaluable, especially for people I had never met before coming down here. So thank you Wyatt & Emma for that one too! The only reason winging this crazy adventure was even mildly possible is because of reaching out to network & make random connections. It’s been incredibly cool to see how all of that works out.

I know everyone has seen pictures of the Caribbean, but I was still shocked at what I was seeing while flying into St Thomas. Just going to state the obvious observations real quick. It’s rather really blue or just clear and much warmer in January than back home on the best summer day. The salt air down here isn’t as strong; you can be standing right next to the water & it smells as strong as if you were a few miles into Portland just getting a waft. Although this is one one of my favorite smells in the world, I think I’ll figure out a way to live— probably while by frolicking in the ocean. My last mind blowing observation is how different the sand feels between your toes, but don’t worry, even in paradise it still gets everywhere & you can’t get rid of it.

People had mentioned how hilly it was down here & that the drivers could be somewhat scary. By no means did I comprehend what they meant by either of those statements. I did not fathom that landscape even existed like this or that you could then even build on it. They drive on the left side of the road down here, but you still have to he careful incase some tourist forgets that minor detail. Also, drinking & driving is basically fine as long as you don’t crash, but make sure to keep your seat belt on & to stay off your phone! Seriously, they will pull you over & ticket you for those offenses. I was informed that the seatbelt law is so you don’t spill your drink while taking all these crazy turns & suddenly it made a little bit more sense. Now while walking around there’s not much, if any, room on the side of the roads for pedestrians. Basically, picture walking around on the side of these tight bending roads, but continuously on hills similar to Elizabeth Street & Brackett Street on Peaks Island or State Street & Melon Street in Portland while hoping everyone is sober enough to stay in their proper lane and not take a turn to wide… We’ll call it exhilarating. The silver lining to these bubble butt building hills & unwelcoming conditions for pedestrians is that you can always try to hitch hike, actually you just call it hitching down here. I never would of expected to hitch in my life ever, but it’s actually pretty safe down here (of course you use your judgement & keep your wits about you). Don’t use your thumb to signal you want to hitch though, you simply point in the direction you’re going. Sometimes you get a ride right away & others not so much, but so far I have met some pretty cool people through it!

The alcohol laws down here are so incredibly relaxed that it’s kind of mind boggling coming from the States. I have only been carded once & people were incredibly surprised to hear that. As I mentioned earlier, you can drink and drive with no shame. Bartenders will ask if you want your drink to go & you can even walk around or into another establishment with it. Last call is more of a loosey goosey kind of deal (there may not even be a real one) & you can drink with your bartender. Everything I have known about the laws of alcohol have just been slapped in the face.

Normally I wouldn’t bother with a blog. Partially because I’m still in denial about the LiveJournal & Myspace days (which I think it’s in all of our best interests to pretend that they never happened), but also because I already abuse the life out of social media already. So as much as I’d love to go off the grid, I figure on big life adventures I should probably attempt to keep people some what up to date, not one of my best skills, & a concentrated place to do so doesn’t sound like the worst idea. Now if Tumblr is actually a blog I’m still not 100%, so we may just be adding this to one of the many etiquettes of life that I seemed to miss the memo on & stumble through gracelessly— oh joy. If you’re supposed to introduce yourself on a blog I have no idea. If you don’t know me & are reading this: Go away stranger danger! Seriously, I’m not that interesting. Also, to the loved ones wondering what on earth I’m talking about on adventure: I’m the worst & I’m sorry. 

Now I will attempt to give the blunt summary of my adventures while answering the frequently asked questions, but minus the rambling. I’ve always wanted to travel and go on adventures, but had commitments I felt I couldn’t walk away from. I had been living with my serious boyfriend & was unexpectedly dumped (Disclaimer: Still a decent dude, just apart of the story). Now I was frantic on what my options were considering winter in Maine isn’t exactly prime time to move or make money in most restaurants. The dreaded task of moving couldn’t be avoided, but I also realized this was my first time without major commitment. So I made light out of a bad situation and decided it was time for adventures! The U.S. Virgin Islands don’t require a work visa, but would still be a different world from home. Also, I’m pretty sure Garth Brooks tried telling me it was a good idea with the song “Two Pina Coladas”

I was feelin’ the blues  I was watching the news  When this fella came on the TV  He said I’m tellin’ you  That science has proven  That heartaches are healed by the sea  That got me goin’  Without even knowin’  I packed right up and drove down  Now I’m on a roll  And I swear to my soul  Tonight I’m gonna paint this town 

Oh yea, I just went there and already referenced country music. Anyways, back on track.

I had a vacation planned with Ali for Sarasota, FL before everything hit the the fan. I extended my stay in FL for two more days so I could see my buddy Evan & booked my one way ticket for USVI for Tuesday January 14 out of Orlando. One of my best friends since middle school, Noah, will be flying down to move with me the next day. We plan to live on Saint John & couch surf until we find a legitimate place to stay. At the moment I only expect this adventure to be half a year for me; that being said, it has also been mentioned more than once that people have a tendency to stay longer than they originally planned to, it is paradise after all. I do not know anyone first hand who lives down there already, but am incredibly thankful to have been put into contact with some very warm & welcoming people down there (always accepting more connections though!). I am incredibly excited for this adventure, but at the same time just as equally terrified. Don’t get me wrong, I am confident I will do fine down there by just working hard. It still doesn’t change the fact that I am 1,777 miles out of comfort zone and that’s a wee bit scary. This whole opportunity for adventure came unexpectedly, so I’m just going down on a song & a prayer— minus the prayer considering I’m not a religious person. That should cover most of all the preliminary bases, more to come when I actually get down there.