and then there were two.

My Dad left yesterday after almost three weeks with us. It was tremendous having him here while I've been trying to figure out life in St. Thomas.

Someone with whom to discuss options. Someone to entertain Julian while I waited three hours in line to get my phone hooked up. Someone who gave me a greater sense of security.

Dad enthusiastically took on the role of chef, pool and beach activity director, house organizer, navigator, and advisor. Dad was also responsible for happy hour - which may explain why Julian has been asking for beers.

I am pretty certain Dad enjoyed the adventure and hopefully feels more assured having seen where we live.

However, now that I'm a mother - I'm beginning to realize you never stop being a parent. And you never stop needing your parents.

Dad was barbecuing some lamb for dinner a few nights ago. A great dinner. Lamb, roasted potatoes, salad. A bottle of Ravenswood zinfandel for a mere $10. When he returned to the cooled grill to ensure the gas was off - a large rat jumped out from the grill testing Dad's heart strength. And my worst phobia. For some people it's spiders, for others it's snakes. For me it's rats. I don't like them in Ratatouille, the Nutcracker Suite or Charlotte's Web.

Naturally, as soon as I heard a full report of the flying rat (the size of a cat in my mind), I immediately swung into lock-down mode. Full outdoor lights. Doors shut. Kitchen santization.

Of course, the longer I obsessed about rats on the property, the more I had convinced myself they had moved into the house and were trying on my shoes. By the time I went to bed, I could hear one (or an entire family) in my box spring. The longer I tried to rationalize why there wasn't a rat in the house, the louder the noises were. So - I wandered down the hall to my Dad's room where he was fast asleep. Very fast asleep.

"Daaaaad," I said quietly.

No response.

"Dad!" I said a little more abruptly.

Snoring.

Despite better judgement, I woke poor Dad and dragged him to my room where we - (actually just Dad) - looked under the bed with a flashlight.
Nothing.
I still wasn't convinced. And without really having to ask - Dad said "well - we can take the bed apart."

I'll have to remind myself of this when Julian next wakes up with a bad dream.

But all is well - because I have a fancy new alarm system in the house and as soon as those rats read the signs - they won't go anywhere near the house - or my shoes.

boats. boats. and more boats.

From cruise ships to little sailing dinghies, boats come in all shapes and sizes in this part of the world.

Wandering along Yacht Haven, a parking lot for multi-million dollar yachts with interior space several times greater than the average home, you can get a glimpse of lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Of course, the real action is with sailing. And there is no shortage of sailing boats. Another reason moving to St. Thomas became very attractive to us.

We visited the St. Thomas Yacht Club today.

Located a 1/2 mile or three minute drive from our home, it is a small club with a lot going on. They have a very active junior sailing program that Julian can participate in - sailing Optimists, small boats perfect for children learning to sail.

We met the club manager and had a good chat with him over brunch. A race was underway and he was going to head out to see how it was going. Did we want to come?

Actually - before I could even attempt an enthusiastic reply, my Dad was out of his seat saying "That sounds great!" We are a shy family.

So off we went. A short trip out to see a fleet of J-boats, IC-24s and a handful of other nice little race boats do a bit of racing in the area. A very nice way to spend the afternoon. (Mark: you'll be here soon - I didn't do any actual sailing - honest!)

The other type of boat we are becoming well acquainted with is the ferry that runs to St. John from just below our house. I can confirm with accurate conviction that the ferry starts at 6:00 am on weekdays. The ferry ensures that everyone is indeed on board and that there's no chance that anyone's left behind. Horns, PA systems - you name it - they have a way of announcing the boat is ready to go.

Boats, boats everywhere.

getting around St. Thomas

I have been driving on the left hand side of the road for two weeks now - and have graduated from mumbling a repetitive mantra of "keep left. keep left. keep left" to whipping around ring roads like I own the place. Well, almost. Parking lots still result in confusion - but not sure whether that's just me or the other people who own the place.

The island is small - 32 square miles - 13 miles (20kms) long and 3 miles (5 kms) wide. For comparison sake - Salt Spring Island is 16 miles long (27 kms) and 8 miles (14 kms) wide. The main roads are quite good. Other roads including the one to our house are narrow and full of pot holes (as in large areas where cement is missing not places to buy local weed).

Living in the East End - I drive Julian about 6 miles to school. St. Thomas is also a very hilly island with some very steep inclines. A roller coast everyday that I hope the truck brakes can handle.

According to the census, there are over 52,000 people living on St. Thomas. And from the traffic, it appears that most of these people own cars. Children must own cars here too. When you add in a typical cruise ship day - we counted SEVEN ships in yesterday, that's roughly 12,000 tourists -- there's a steady ebb and flow of people and traffic.

There's a clear "rush hour" that starts just after 7:00 and traffic is very steady. While I actually leave the house closer to 7:45, I have a lot of company on the road.

All roads lead to Charlotte Amalie, the territorial capital of the US Virgin Islands. The downtown district still reflects some Danish (and pirate) heritage. While many of the streets have English names - some still bear those given by the Danes such as Dronningen's Gade for Main Street. The Danish flag flew on these islands from the 1600s to 1917 when the US purchased them for $25 million. And where was Canada when they listed these islands for sale?

There is some interesting Danish West Indian architecture. Some of the buildings have the second stories overhang sidewalks for cover from the sun (and tropical rain showers) and rooms are designed to take advantage of tradewinds. The green VI Legislature Building is on the waterfront downtown. Built in the 19th century, it served as barracks for the Danish militia, the US navy, and at one point the only high school on the island.

A popular trading port since its beginnings, Charlotte Amalie (pronounced Ah-mahl-yah) named after the Danish Queen remains the root of the island's economy. All three islands were declared free ports in the early 1800s in the hopes of bolstering the flailing economy at the time. Apparently, a wise move. Today, St. Thomas is the most visited island in the world by cruise ships. On any given day, the jewelery, clothing and liquor stores are overflowing with visitors - continuing their long-time merchant tradition of fleecing consumers of their hard earned cash.

For a small island - there is a lot going on. You may not be able to get there too quickly -- but everything happens on island time.

stormy weather.

We've seen some good squalls over the past few days - and it rained so hard last night and this morning that I swear the pool is a good three inches deeper. I am assuming there is some kind of over-flow system for the cisterns? Guess we'll find out.

The wind was very strong - roof is still intact - but our inflatable pool raft was launched off the deck to the chickens (the chickens were hiding - so the raft survived). Towels and bathing suits are taking a long time to dry....

It has been quite humid - which means that in addition to having really big hair - everything feels quite damp. Paper is curling at the ends and towels never really dry.

We have been having a lazy day today. Everything was very quiet - reading books, listening to some music, drinking some coffee - when Julian noticed a rather large man climbing over the rails of our deck.

"Mummy - someone's climbing up!"

Not just one - but two men. After a brief cardiac arrest - I determined they were here to clean the pool. This was how they accessed the pool as to not disturb the tenants. Very considerate. Julian thought it was hilarious.

With limited supplies until our shipment arrives - we are making do with some very creative approaches to food prep. Bread for example can be toasted in the frying pan according to my Dad. Who knew? I have been trying to find a large salad bowl with no luck. Our one and only saucepan has been doubling as serving bowl and mixing bowl. Needless to say - we haven't been doing a lot of entertaining. Thank goodness for the BBQ.

The more time I spend inside the house - the more I pretend I am Charlotte the Interior Designer. Imagining furniture in the space. Where to put the sofa, chairs, coffee table. I think I am having furniture withdrawal.

first week and routines.

Routines.

We create them and let them guide our day. And despite being somewhere different - we are right back to setting an alarm in the morning (which I'm uncertain as to why I bother as I have the added back-up alarms of a) Julian and b) many roosters running wild on the property.

Getting ready for school in the morning may sound easier when you can skip the step of dressing children in coats and boots. But add in the slapping on of sunscreen and some anti-bug spray - it's a similar ordeal. Julian has had two days at his new school - and it has been brilliant. The kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Qualls is lovely and Julian has already attracted a little pack of children who greet him with hugs when he arrives. Monday is Martin Luther King day - they had a class discussion and film to explain this piece of US history. I guess Mark and I will have to supplement a little Canadian history as time goes by.

This week accomplished many chores. From successfully getting the phone line hooked up - to opening a bank account, I am wondering whether this place has been getting a bad rap. I phoned two companies to get someone out to give me quotes on alarm systems -and they were both here giving me estimates the same day!

Today we jumped on the ferry to visit St. John. A 20-minute ferry ride from Red Hook - just below our house - gets us to Cruz Bay, the main town on the island. After a little shopping and exploring, we had a yummy lunch at a place on the water where the ferries came in. There is a lot more to explore on the island - especially as two-thirds of the island is a national park. We'll have to take the car next time.

There is a sailing regatta this weekend through the St. Thomas Yacht Club which we are going to explore tomorrow. It looks like there was a distance race and some racing for the kids today. It has been very windy - 25 knots of breeze the last few days. We're looking forward to getting involved in the local sailing here - and I've already started making some enquiries re-moorage if we actually bring our boat across.

(Mark - you'll be here soon and there will still be plenty of racing!)

I've come to the conclusion that shipping our furniture hasn't been a bad idea. From the stores I've seen - it's either pretty icky or outrageously expensive. Not too much advertised for second-hand furniture - and that would also mean deciphering directions to get to some one's home. There are no real addresses in St. Thomas. Everything is about landmarks and directions. "Past the marina, turn left at the green and white building - it's the three-storey building..." This also means I have to give directions to our house. I think I have it down pat now.

Time for a cup of tea and then get some groceries for dinner.

Ah yes -- routines.

are we there yet?

I've decided that Julian is a better traveler than I am.

He sleeps on flights, makes new friends (I can't remember that last time I was invited to tour the cockpit of a 767), and appears completely patient with the entire process. He does, however, have a personal assistant who ensures there are treats, the odd new toy and some extra room to stretch out to sleep.

After 16 hours of travel, we arrived January 10. My Dad arrived first via Miami. Julian and I arrived 40 minutes later via New York. All 300 lbs of our luggage - six cases, three carry-ons and a child's car seat miraculously arrived with us - despite numerous connections.

We got the car, met the realtor and arrived at our new house. Considering I only briefly toured the house in November amongst a dozen other rental options over two days - our new place is about what I had remembered with no horrible surprises...so far.

Julian, my Dad and I have been "settling" into our semi-furnished house. There are beds and bedroom furniture - and a dinng table with chairs. The house seems quite large and spacious since it is so empty! It will feel like Christmas when everything arrives. I would love to download additional photos - but it appears that the one item I did leave behind in Vancouver was the camera's computer cable.

The past five days have been very full. From getting a few essential supplies,to getting some infrastructure hooked up, everything has been a process.

Getting a phone line for the house was a two-and-a-half hour ordeal that resulted in the promise of getting a line installed at the end of this week - for local calls only. It appears that I need a social security number for most everything. So I will be less of a risk to the USVI if I am limited to local calls.

Getting a cell phone was a snap compared to a land line. A Visa card can accomplish most anything. AT&T was more than willing to set me up with the best and newest. Internet set-up was also quite pain-free.

K-Mart is my new best friend. From kitchen supplies to pool toys - we have graduated from eating cereal out of the mini-cereal boxes - to dining with bowls, utensils and other luxury items! You name it - K-Mart has it all. Cleaning supplies, clothes, liquor, food, beer. We really don't have to go anywhere else.

Grocery shopping has been a little disappointing. Fortunately, it seems that the best grocery stores are in the East End where we live. We discovered a new one today and it was very exciting! I can't belive that we have been unable to find some good (fresh) fish. I may have to learn to fish. Dad has been our in-house chef. Lamb last night and sausages tonight. The menu has been pretty good!

Today's really exciting news was the call from Antilles School. Julian has been accepted and will start officially on Thursday. The school seems really good and Julian is really keen to start "my school". We celebrated with the purchase of a new lunch kit (from K-Mart).

Still much more to do - bank accounts, utilities accounts and finding a bit of furniture.

Julian is having a great time. His swimming has improved so much is such a short period of time. He'll be growing flippers soon. Mosquitos are the biggested challenge.

new year. new beginings.

Happy New Year - wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2008.

In about a week, Julian and I'll be in St. Thomas.

As I sit among the boxes and organized chaos, I am not completely certain how everything will be completed before I head off. While the process of sorting, packing and throwing out has been quite cathartic, it has been taking weeks and weeks. Everything sorted into three piles: shipping, selling, and donating. The donating pile has been getting bigger and bigger.

Having finished my last day at work, Julian and I head off first. Julian will attend one of two schools we identified on the island when we arrive next week. Both schools are great and have lovely charm, diversity and resources.

We'll also settle into our (empty) new home - awaiting Mark, Max and all our wordly possessions. My Dad is coming out with the two of us and will help out for the first three weeks. The house itself is located in the East End near the St. Thomas Yacht Club (how fortunate!). Ironically, it was the first house Julian and I viewed when we were out in early November house hunting and doing school interviews.

Julian and I will have to return to Vancouver mid-February when we HOPE the visas will be ready. Once we have completed this process with the US Embassy, we will fly to St. Thomas as a family, start learning our new business, and wait for our container to arrive - hopefully three weeks later.

I am attaching some pictures of the house and the school.