It All Happens On the Bus

Capt Chris, 80, NE 25 KNOTS GUSTING INTO THE 30'S
12/27/2008, St John, USVI

The St John Bus Service really is the first time in my life I've used public transportation for any period of time. I certainly hope that public transport back in the states is a little more squared away than down here.

Case in the point. The Pic. Janina snapped this gem right after about a gallon of water created by the bus's malfunctioning AC system dumped over my head and down my back. I was picking about two years worth of rust chips out of my scalp. Of course the bus driver was fully aware of this fact but could care less to warn anyone. I have found some of the locals to be less than nice and in fact dislike every bus driver with the exception of one older guy. Most need a serious attitude adjustment.

One day the driver stopped a full 20 minutes with a bus load of people while she went a got something to eat. Another day the bus whipped around a corner at flank speed sending a 300 pound women tumbling into the doors head first. I watched the doors straining under the load and thought for sure those doors were going to let loose. Of course the driver was texting when this incident occured. On Janina's first day the bus broke down and we had to transfer bus's which really is par. But a new bus experience ensued when the driver passed the town dumpsters, otherwise known as Coral Bay K-Mart, only to slam to a halt and throw the bus in reverse. A full dumpster diving operation took place with the passengers looking on. He popped out with an antique radio. He's all smiles and kept saying "it's an antique it's an antique" and I chimed in "just like our bus."

Like I said it all happens on the bus.

Capt Chris

Ahoy!

Capt Chris, Christmas winds are blowin
12/26/2008, Coral Bay ST John

Janina took this picture of myself and our neighbor Gramm who lives in Johnson Bay. It was taken yesterday on Hawksnest Beach north shore of St John. Due to Gramm we really had a special day yesterday on Christmas. It is a little weird because to me it did not feel anything like Christmas. But it was a great day none the less.

I first meet Gramm the day I arrived in Johnson Bay. He is very interesting and a very very nice person. But the day I arrived he hooted at me from his boat to anchor no where near him. Not exactly the welcome wagon. But he soon came on over and introduced himself and apoligized and simply explained that he really really values his solitude. I totally get it and is the reason many people arrange themselves on the east end of St John.

Gramm and I share one thing in common and that is sobriety. I think when he found this out about me he breathed a sigh of relief as he knew he would not have to hear any drunken 3 am epiphanes in the anchorage. So a few weeks back he invited me up to Hawksnest Beach for a potluck get together on Christmas day. So at 930 am we jumped in Gramms truck and drove along the beautiful north shore road to the beach. Their we met a bunch of other sober folks who live both on St John and St Thomas and some of them are snow birds. An AA meeting took place right on the edge of the ocean and then we ate some good home cooking. It was very mellow and relaxing. No one fell off the wagon as far as I could tell.

Then Gramm took us to many overlooks on the north coast with spectacular views of Jost Van Dyke and the rest of the BVI's. We even went to the very sparsely populated east end of the island. Just beautiful. A great day!

Thanks Gramm

Capt Chris