First Impressions of St. Maarten Post Irma

After nearly three months, I returned home. My first impression of the island was not what I expected. In fact, I felt people were pretty joyous. October has already proved itself a thousand times better than September.

The good part: My plane only had a handful of others. Therefore, I claimed an exit seat and watched Despicable Me 3 in full legroom comfort.

The bad part: As we approached the island I was fixated on the "white caps" I saw in every direction. These waves turned out to be debris miles out at sea. Everywhere. I was in awe at the never ending floating trash.

The good part: Green! Life is sprouting in every direction. Sure it's chaotic, but it's alive and it's happening– quickly. Our TV certainly didn't survive Irma, but this flower did. Do humans actually rule this earth? Debatable.

The bad part: Although the islanders and military are working hard to get everything back to normal, the mountains of trash will be growing for quite awhile. And I'm not exaggerating when I say mountains. They are larger than life... and, well, everywhere.

The good part: The beaches are rebounding. We drove past Mullet Bay, which was the deepest turquoise I'd ever seen it. This may have also been due to its contrast against the lagoon water. (This area used to be blocked by trees, so you couldn't see both at the same time... now it is all open.)

The bad part: In my area, we are not able to get a hold of machinery yet. We need excavators and trucks to remove the piles of broken trees, washed up plastics, and the endless amount of boards that litter the area. Some people have resorted to just burning everything... which is toxic for our lungs and the atmosphere.

The good part: Nature rules. The sun sets and the landscape stays in a shadow. Few lights twinkle in the hills, but billions more from above. Again, nature shines on where humans cannot. So thank you, Universe, for not going dark on us– even when we take room and board, pay no rent, and do little to upkeep our home. We love you, we just don't always show it.

St. Martin Wildlife and Nature Fund

On August 4, 2017 I took a plane up to New England from my tiny island home in Saint Martin. I planned to travel for a month throughout New England and Norway before returning to paradise. 

On the day I was to return, Hurricane Irma hit. The biggest hurricane ever recorded, she was a monster. I was expecting to arrive a few days later in case power was lost at the airport... only to find there was no airport. It shattered with the rest of the island. 

I expected this hurricane season to be bad... I believe in science, in global warming, in climate change and the likes. I know humans have taken advantage of earth in every way possible. So I'm not surprised she lashed back out. What goes around comes around. 

So as we start supplying aid to those who have lost their livelihoods, we also need to start thinking long term. How can we try to appease Mother Nature? Start over in a way that we are more gentle on her, and perhaps, she will show us the same respect.

Before homes, businesses, and attractions can be rebuilt in SXM, the natural foundation and landscape of the island must be secured. Inhabitants cannot continue their lives if the foundation they build upon is jeopardized. There has to be harmony between the people and the environment. All land and sea habitats/vegetation need restoration and rehabilitation asap. 

As St.Martin scrambles to bring order to the people, the island itself cannot be ignored. In order to move past Hurricane Irma and restart the economy and livelihoods of thousands, the environment must also take a forefront in humanitarian efforts. This will be a long term fund that will try to help the environment bounce back. Whether it be through planting trees, rescuing stray animals, making sure debris does not damage coral heads, and so on. The goal is for this money to help clean up and replant the lost island of Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten. Every donation will go into benefiting the island's natural infrastructure. We can do much better for the planet. 

As much as I appreciate people sending their prayers, we need tangible donations. The only way the island will be able to come back to fruition is through money, supplies, sweat and tears. I've got the second half covered. Please help with the former. 

The glory days:

Hiking High

Preikestolen is a famous hike that rises a mere 604 meters (1981 ft) above Lysefjord, an area close to Stavanger, southwest Norway. Otherwise known as Pulpit Rock, it usually takes 4 hours of hiking (roundtrip). The trail is laid out well with stone steps supervised by Nepalese Sherpas. Why fly Sherpas over thousands of miles to place stones in the ground? Because Norwegians are thorough, that's why. 

Streams run throughout the area so freshwater is always near by. Although I knew the water was perfectly good, I still had strange thoughts as I sipped my yellow-tinted water. Tasted fine, looked a bit dirty... just close your eyes.

Most semi-conditioned persons can make it to the top with a few breaks. I felt the burn after 2.5 hours of powering through. I may be lucky to have muscles after this trip.

Because I did this hike in August, the sun was still shining past 21:00. That meant we did not have to go during the rush hour/noon time crowd. A local drug enforcement officer/dog handler and his service pup took me to the top. We left Sadnes, a town close to Stavanger, at 16:30 and arrived to the trail head at 17:30.  I didn't realize it was so far from town. We had to take the car with a ferry as well. Conclusion: friends are good to have. Friends with cars are even better. Because we started so late, we had a very easy time navigating the trail. No congestion or dog fights.

Although I don't have photos of the trail up to the top, you can imagine there were a lot of stairs involved. And I remember thinking as I climbed, "Good thing I like rocks." My friend (and guide) also complimented me that I had complained the least out of all of his guests. Though I can't remember if I had a single one. Like I said, good thing I like rocks and free water.

 

Around 8 o'clock at night on the way down the mountain. I was nervous there would not be enough light for good photos. Wasn't the case.

Wham Bam Flam

Norwegian Airlines tricked me twice. I thought roundtrip tickets for $400 was a deal. I realized after I purchased the nonrefundable tickets that flights are the only affordable thing in Norway. I will write later the about second trick– but oh have I learned. Anyways, a train ride cost me $130, a dinner in the single restaurant of Utne cost $75, and a beer in Oslo's Sculpture Park at a delicious $12. 

~I shuffle my feet and softly curse as the beautiful Norwegians run past me to their Teslas and amazing lives...~ 

You can't even buy a beer after 8pm from the grocery store– no wonder why people are so in shape and happy and have money for other, nice things.

But I'm unfair. I have really pointed out the only serious expenses I've had. Since arriving, I've stayed in the homes, cabins, and hotels of Croatians, Germans, Romanians, Lithuanians, and of course, Norwegians. They have given me a bed and a meal all except for two nights. Which was a huge expense I saved. 

So the rest of my krones went to fruit, crackers and chocolate. Even water is free in Norway; since it's clean and ubiquitous. Some other ways I saved: those Romanians I mentioned earlier? They also gave me a ride to the waterfall and a bike to explore with. I also managed to jump on the ferry tour as it was pulling off the dock. Although it was made very clear I hadn't paid and therefore had no ticket, not a single person on board felt it was their responsibility to have me pay. So that was a $40 that could later go into a covering three beers.

Pictured below is my big day in Flam. A 3 hour bike ride, 1 hour nap on the beach (sunburned included), 2 hour ferry ride, and 1 hour bus back to my Romanian pals.

Sore for two days after this ride. Norwegians don't mess around when it comes to keeping their terrain a challenge. I worked hard for those waterfalls.

That is a nice boulder.

My week-long lunch of crackers, cheese and beet spread. The spread tasted like mayo with a hint of beet (will not make that mistake again). This is also where I slept directly in the sun for an hour. *A major accomplishment*

A New England Summer in Bloom

Testing out the new Olympus camera in a Connecticut garden.