Drunk at Maho Mansion

I probably should have given myself a sleep-in after the previous day's hecticness, but alas - there is but limited days until I jet off the island. So instead I found myself up and ready to roll for my first ever Zumba fitness class, held just up the road at 10am.

I'd been wanting to do it virtually since I got to St Maarten but have never gotten around to it, so this was my day. And I am so glad I did it! 2 things threw my expectations a little: I was the youngest in the class (which wasn't too big on the day I went) and the instructor was a white French woman. I was kinda hoping to be amongst a group of bootylicious black women shakin' what their mammas gave 'em, but it seemed more popular with white people actually! The instructor was nice, though, if she did lack a little in Latino rhythm.

I was sweating from the humidity in and outside the dance studio before I even started, so you can imagine how I dripped as the class wore on! I swear I sweated 2x as much as everyone else, but at least I picked up the steps quickly and could relate a lot of the moves to my behaviour on a Saturday night in the clubs. Back in the day when I would go to clubs - ha!

Afterwards, I had perked up considerably from my zombie-like morning state and ready to take on the world. On my own in that task, it would seem. E was stressing from too many errands to make, N was working and as always trying to do a million things at once, I didn't want to call L as I assume he is still unemployed and that is always a drain on socialising. So that was my friends list completely scratched.

An unexpected day off... well, I had to do something with it! Tried my luck - unsuccessfully - at Seaside with the internet, missing a downpour by an inch, then arranged to meet N in about an hour for a quick photo shoot on horseback by the water. Just enuf time to get to Pineapple Pete's for a cheap beer and internet excursion.

Of course N was late, but it gave me time to get the horse, Tom, a big, beautiful Haflinger of rich chestnut colour with a brilliant blonde mane, ready for action. He's a bit of an ass of a horse, in truth, and I don't really like his personality but he turns out great photos! So I hopped on board sans saddle, with my long hippy skirt flowing over the sides and across his rump. Like the princess I am!

We got some shots up by the sunrise point, Tom whinnying away as he has massive separation anxiety issues, my body quivering with the mighty noises, the wind blowing his mane about, ears pricked forward. He looked every bit the mighty stallion. I, on the other hand, clambered about on top trying to look nice. Still don't know if I succeeded.

Quick costume change for the water and in we went. Tom absolutely loves it so we were able to actually swim out deep with me floating above, legs flailing about in the air, still trying to look sexy. Still not sure if I succeeded there either. But it was fun, nonetheless, and I'm glad we got at least some shots in before I left! Hard to catch, N is.

That done n dusted, Polly, N and I piled onto N's motorbike (Polly sandwiched in between us, no complaints, bless her) and I was back at home wondering what to do. A had by now secured the place he had really wanted, good little organiser that he is, and so I needed to get back to the internet and organise a bank transfer of the bond and first month rent. Which turned out to be way more complicated than we'd hoped.

Went into town to get quotes for the ferry to St Barths and try to sort out a couple of errands - mainly just bought a pretty silk maxi and some guavaberry rum to take home - but it was productive nonetheless. Got the prices for the boat and also spoke with the lady from one of the activity companies who gave me her prices for the trips as well. I will get everything done before I leave!

E invited me to her place, the mansion by the sea, to chill out so I took my laptop and sorted out the money problems while she helped the kid she nannies with his homework. I ended up having to ask my dad to front the money because neither of our credit cards would work, blah blah blah, anyway he said yes thankfully and did it a couple of hours later. Also spoke with A for a while, actually crying when he off-handedly described the flat as being "a great first home". Cried! What's wrong with me? I blame it on mental and physical exhaustion. Not that that makes me wanna slow down...

Then came the drinks.

We started innocently enuf, sharing a bottle of wine... then E coyly asked if I wanted another bottle, and I said of course (I wasn't working the next day!). We hunted for what looked like a cheaper bottle in the fridge, and chose a hideous chardonnay which we needed to disguise in smoothie cocktails (of course). And I think that's where it went downhill from... Before I knew it, E was diving stark-naked into the pool while I spoke animatedly with A on Skype and the random guy we met at the bar the other night dropped in. Actually, that's out of order - he most definitely had left when the nakedness started.

Anyway, we ended up consuming a fair amount of alcohol and A found it highly amusing, it being about brunch time where he was. Next thing I knew E had crashed on the top level (no. 4) guest bedroom, still in her birthday suit, and I was in her amazingly comfortable bed with a duck-down quilt softly caressing my body. It was, unsurprisingly, the best sleep I've ever had in St Maarten. Mmmm... I tingle just thinking about it.

Video in its finest form

It's funny how things here can seem so busy and planned, and then fall apart at the last minute. This happened to me on Saturday night with the dance competition and then again today, with the beach. Was meant to go with L but he was broke and I'm still not supporting his lack of employment, N was still working and L ended up having a doctor's appointment so it was off to the beach solo again.

That was fine, I am always entertained by the people-watching there, but today it seemed to be Topless Day Out. I don't know why so many people had their boobs out but they did, and old ladies too, so after a quick scout around for any prying black man eyes, I joined them. I do like doing the topless sunbake, but not when I feel people are just at the beach to check out girls.

Seriously, there were boobs everywhere. They were walking around, sitting on their towels, wading into the water... no shame. And they were not just French, American too. Oh well. Changing tide I guess! Speaking of, the water is getting rougher, the winds stronger... I thought hurricane season just ended?? Got some half decent waves now on the beaches, nice change from the gentle lapping pools these beaches usually are.

I packed some beers to drink on the beach - still on a budget, as always - and enjoyed the afternoon sun. Never feels quite as strong as Australia, and I doubt I got much colour in the couple of hours I was there but it is always nice to go to Mullet Bay. But it is getting busy. And sometimes Americans speak SO LOUD. It's hard to tune them out.

Got to the beach late because I spent a couple of hours wearing my laptop battery down talking to A on Skype. He happened to come online when I was there, so we had a nice chat before his Skype started playing up. Then he got a laptop and we VIDEO chatted.... The first time since I got to St Maarten. Man, it was good to see his face. I could hardly control my emotions, he looked so beautiful. My stomach was doing backflips.

That's a good sign, right? So if I go home earlier to him, I guess that's to be expected, right? I actually can't wait to start my new life with him, making our decisions together, working for da man and earning da cash, maybe even affording a studio apartment so we can just be... us. I would never even have to wear clothes at home. Imagine that.

Boss told me when he came home I was in for a 7am start instead of my normal 8am. Sounds like a busy day ahead. I wonder if I'll get a lunch break. It's funny how that works - usually, when I started earlier, there's less chance I'll get a lunch break even though technically I need it more! Let's just hope the tourists are feeling "tip-happy" tomorrow...

Let's get French!

Second consecutive day off, and I treated myself to a nice lie-in... except that that meant I was late for my rescheduled Skype date with A. I rolled over, all sleepy-eyed and foggy, to check the time and saw with a start that I was already 30 mins late!! I jumped up, bumped into a few things and grabbed my laptop still on to get to Seaside ASAP.

Coming online, I was instantly disappointed - the last message from him was almost half an hour ago and he had given up waiting. So I pottered around the interweb for a bit before deciding I'd better go cook myself some breakfast... and at that moment, voila! He appears! Had a nice, long chat with him about the turns our respective lives had taken and it was good to see the banter was back - I know we'd both missed it since the main sway of conversation since I'd left had been soppy "I miss you, I love you, come back" kinda things...

Towards the end, my internet started playing up and I was getting frustrated so I eventually signed off. Which was annoying since he was mid-story about the girl who used to love him - nay, still loves him but realises it's a little late for her - and how she ruined his last bday. Dammit if I won't make his next bday the best he's ever had. It will also be the first he's had officially "with" me, a whole lot of firsts to happen in the next year. While we won't get Christmas or NYE together, there will be a lot of things I will enjoy doing with him as mine in the coming 12 months.

L was waiting when I arrived late to meet him and go to the French side. We'd planned to go to Friars Beach, as he's unemployed and a bit short of cash to go to the little island over there. I didn't mind, I'll go with I on Thursday and I hadn't been to this beach so it was a good chance to see it.

I dressed well to the part of tourist, with my wide-brimmed hat, one-piece swimsuit and flowing hippy-style skirt. And white skin, of course. Well, there's not a helluva lot I can do about that. At least I won't get stopped by police and asked for my papers.

Now this guy knows everyone. He's constantly saluting people in cars, stopping to say hi to people in the street, yelling back at someone on a balcony... He looks like the most connected person on the island. Then I started noticing that as we waited for a bus to come, the people driving empty cars would just wave and pass, not offering a lift. And some people would just call him "Rasta"... it's an odd thing, familiarity, on this island.

After what seemed like a lot of fucking around with public transport (almost an hour on 2 buses in traffic, a lot on this tiny land mass), and then quite a walk to the actual beach, I was glad to just sit down on the beach, crack a Presidente (local beer) and smoke it up with my rasta friend. And that shit is goooooood. Had a swim and then drifted off in a nice little daydream as I was laying drying on the beach afterwards.

I am growing fond of the French side. It definitely has a different vibe (for example, most of the beaches are clothing optional) and the people - black and white - are pretty chilled. For all I'd heard of the French side, I'd have imagined there'd be police everywhere, speed radars, parking officers... all that shit. But no one cares if you smoke, go nude on the beach (something I swore not to do out of loyalty and not wanting to get perved on!). And I spose when you compare the Dutch side to another with any sense of authority, you see it as strict. Man, this island is strange.

It started raining a little, so we waited under a palm tree shack. By this time, I was pretty stoned and drifting off again... Was really zoning out, so when L suggested we head back I agreed. This time it was me seeing people I knew - the first bus we got onto one of the guides from work was sitting in the back, the next the 2 young girls I befriended just the other night were abroad.

A quick trip to the supermarket to get more beers - so tempting when they're only about $6 a 6-pack - and just chill in my own company. Something I've become quite accustomed to. Now my apartment block STINKS of sewerage, the worst I've smelt since I've been here, so hopefully that gets fixed. Who knows how things get done around here. Even the people who work the electricity plant have no idea what they're doing.

Himbo, the cat I've befriended at my apartment, has taken to climbing in between the broken open sheet under my bed which is the bit meant to cling to the bottom of my bed. So when I was looking for her, I saw there was something seriously lagging under my bed and when I tapped it, it meowed and struck out a paw. Sor-ry! Her territory now. Imagine her surprise when I actually climb into bed one night.

My conversations with guys here about women's bodies are so interesting. While I was brought up in a straight, skinny-obsessed Australia, these guys fully appreciate women with curves and I have been told several times before that my body is every guy's dream here on the island. I just find it so hard to grasp, that I have battled all my life with the fact I'm the fattest girl of my group and I need to find clothes that hide my figure. Here, they celebrate it. I know it's not the first time I've said it but it still amazes me. And I wonder why the hell A wants me for it - he's not black, I know he says body isn't everything, but I see the girls he's been with. I am definitely the biggest.

Ended up going to some drinks at Buccaneers, the place I was last night for dinner before I went to that shit covers band. Met an older Dutch lady, H, that works with me at Seaside, and we had nice conversation. It was good to hang out socially - thanks to A, my boss, who'd passed on the invitation to go to drinks from H because she was too tired and knew I'd found it hard to socialise since being here. Me, finding it hard to socialise. Really, who am I these days???

Old MacDonald was a black man

The program for today consisting of getting dropped at Santa Monica shopping/beach district while B went to a political discussion meeting (he invited me, I politely declined). I had a few hours to kill so I decided to walk along the mall, look in shops I couldn't possibly buy anything in, and eventually make it to the beach.

Some common occurrences in these parts: small, fluffy dogs in clothing, more fat people, loud, annoying accents and sports cars. None of which appealed to me. But it was interesting people-watching nonetheless.

There was a nice pier with some great views of the sea, a fun park with trapezes and a kind of circus area where you could use some strength-building equipment (a man wearing false dreads tried to get me on the rings by way of complimenting my real dreads, but I could see right through the nylon braids). There was even an area where it seemed performing arts types were congregating to practise and socialise. That was pretty cool.

As I headed back to meet B, I came by a panpipe player in the mall. One would think I was kinda of over panpipes, having just been to South America - and you'd be right - but there were seats there and my feet were sore. So I sat down and before I knew it, I was entertained. Not by the panpipe player, but a random black man who walked by singing, "Old MacDonald was a black man..." I could barely keep myself from laughing, what a champion!

So I met B and we drove home to freshen up before dinner. I'd had a glass of wine and some free garlic bread so I was in good spirits, even more so when I found out I could log onto wireless at B's on my laptop and use Skype to call my baby!! We chatted for over an hour before I had to sign off and go eat, and after an excessively large meal at a local restaurant I rushed back to my computer to try and catch the boy again. Only on chat this time, but better than nothing.

We are both so sad without each other, but I am excited about this new experience and I know he is about his too. We just wish we were doing it all together. Soon enuf, soon enuf.... meet you at the moon.

Dinner was at a more typical American diner, yelling above screaming children and loud-mouthed - well, Americans - while B strained his poor hearing. I tried to pay for the bill but he refused, eventually letting me give about half towards it.