Riding to the Queen

My day started interestingly enuf, with a 6am wakeup call from my elderly neighbour who - while not entirely all there - seems to concern for me like a father, and was rapping at my window asking if I was OK. Turns out there was a big storm overnight which my beer-soaked brain had calmly slept through (I think I woke to the rain then realised it was a little cooler and I didn't need the fan on - even used the sheet at one point, shock horror!).

I was furious at being woken up early on my day off but resisted the temptation to get out of bed and throttle the poor man. Luckily, since when I spoke to him later that day he said he was concerned that I had been affected by the storm. I gently but firmly told him under no circumstances should I be woken like that again, unless in an emergency, and that if there WAS a problem, I would be up and about, and he'd know about it. I am not a morning person.

Walked down to Seaside in my beach wear, fully intending to go beaching with one of the guides who was also off today after I spoke to my boy on Skype, but after some observation of post-storm sky, thought against it. I have to say, it is the first day in St Maarten I have seen yet that I wouldn't actually go to the beach. Never thought I'd say that.

Next thing I know I'm scouring my suitcase for anything orange, as that's the national colour for Holland and I'm about to go riding to see the Dutch royal family. Hmmm. Random much??

So we saddled up, me in my orange fisherman pants and staff t-shirt, my boss and J carrying each a Dutch and St Maarten flag. My horse was the best one on the bit so I had him looking grand as we rode into town, literally side by side with the cars and at time with a big line of impatient cars behind us. Everyone was staring at us, taking pictures, videoing - we were superstars. And everyone knows I hate being the centre of attention ;)

The police didn't let us go to the Queen so we waited until they passed, and then they did in a small bus (a little undignified for royalty, I thought), we smiled and waved, and then we turned on our heels and took the back way home. What a beautiful way to see the island! On horseback! I swear at some points the traffic was going so slow we had the advantage.

Afterwards, I went with J and a few staff to get pizza, which turned out to be way more stressful than it needed to be. They were arguing about which pizza to get, what drink, what crust.... then the girls sat too close to the restaurant to smoke a joint and the customers complained. So then the guys were annoyed at the girls. Honestly, I was stoned by that stage so I just wanted the friggin pizza.

Back to work for the Friday grind... not usually one of our busier days and I'm working with J, so that should be a little more entertaining than the guide I usually work with. Maybe I'll take a horse for a swim on my lunch break. Then it's movie night yay! Socialising! For once!

Storm time

A nasty-ass tropical storm is brewing outside the hostel right now. I am glad I am working inside today. Just chilling before work, when I get one precious hour with my favourite little boy, and then tonight is most likely Cuba Libre time, it being Friday n all. But this weather may well put a dampener on things.

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. After work, I had just one beer then bailed back to the house because the other boys were occupied with pretty Israeli girls and I didn`t want to stand in their way.

Found out when I ran into one of the other workers on the way home that four of them are leaving next week. Super sad. I like this crew and it is changing so much!! Boo. I HAVE to get that camera soon so I can take piccies of everyone before they scoot off. Alright, time to eat!

Storms, guests and stallions...

The last 2 days have seen the arrival of Merlelor's first guests since I've been here - 2 Dutch guys, not friends but just happened to both be teachers from the same town. Small world! Sat they arrived and as my last blog details, it was a case of a lot of waiting around that day. The unannounced guests I mentioned ended up leaving about 5 mins before H returned with his guest, but them's the breaks hey.

At least we ended up with a roof over our heads because it stormed that night - a beautiful storm, actually, with bolts of lightning cascading through the faintly pink-tinted skies. Like poetry it was. Shame all I could do was 'ooh' and 'aah' from the car window (which I'd broken only mins before, lucky it didn't actually rain while I was in there), since I was driving with a Romanian-speaking gypsy to the local train station. I was also a little tipsy and really hypo from not doing much until the last 20 mins of the day. And also I get excited with new people. Like a child.

So I entertained myself by chatting non-stop to the weary Dutch guests and sank a few drinks, then hopped off to bed across the rd where one of my fave dogs, Rover, is now staying. I let him stay in my room for the night, he was quite well behaved once he realised the single bed was not for sharing, but became restless early morning and I was worried he would piss on my clothes in impatience... or, perhaps worse, make fleas permanent residents in my room. On top of that, waking to a cold, wet nose sniffing my ass is not the best alarm clock I've ever had. He stays in his kennel now.

Next day was first day of trails for the guests. It was good because H knew where he was going and, although I led because he was on a stallion at the back of the pack, I at least knew he had a destination in mind. We went to a neighbouring village and then back after a rest. More locals stared at me/us. Must be my hair. Or my incredibly irresistible style. Probably that actually.

Starting to wear a little thin with the guests (already!), not quite sure what to make of one of them and was a little unnerved when he asked if there was a boyfriend waiting somewhere for me (why ask??? a little personal I think). Also he's in that in-between stage of riding, where he thinks he can ride but he can just stay on the horse and has no control. The other one is so ghostly white it almost scares me and also has an unusual personality, a bit more sure of himself here because it's about the 5th time he's visited. But he got given my fave horse, Goody, and was a little too rough on him I think. He came off on the first canter (hehe) and after a day of riding, said he was keen to try another horse the next day. Ha!

Now I'm all by my lonesome, bar the gypsies, because they've gone off on a 5-day trek and one of us had to stay behind. I suggested 2 stay behind but the idea was rejected. Not sure why they need 3 guides for 2 guests but anyway... my knee is starting to hurt a little when I walk so I don't mind a break from all-day riding for a couple of days. Glad I don't have to deal one-on-one with weird personality guest men as well. I'm going to try and exercise one of the stallions anyway, so if you don't hear from me ever again, you'll know why. Deep breaths.