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- Thread starter cassidain
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So annoying!
amyb
Senior Insider
Atta boy! Way to go, Dennis.
cassidain
Senior Insider
Dennis, in your nearly half century of experience with your adopted island, have you ever been caught in a hurricane and been obliged to hunker down and ride it out ?
Yes . . . one time. Something of a long story about it.
I don’t remember the name or year (probably about 2013 / 2014). It was exactly this time of year. I was on SBH, as I almost always am for late August / early September, helping in “buttoning-down” Villa CEC for hurricane season. With a serious storm approaching, I headed to the airport for one of the last flights departing the island (a friend at St. Barth Commuter had called to tell me that they were holding a seat for me), Intending to briefly stop by The Normandie Hotel to say goodbye to our Assistant Manager (the Manager was on holiday in Spain), I wanted to make sure that she had a good “grip” on the situation.
Instead, I arrived to find her running out the front door, terrified . . . hysterically telling me that she was fearful for her life & couldn’t stay. There was no further conversation as she jumped into the Hotel car & quickly drove away.
Well, that was a bit of a problem because the Hotel was filled — sixteen people (I became #17)! When various rental agencies could not get guests off the island, they moved some of them from beachfront villas to The Normandie in order to protect them away from tidal wave threats. So, I found myself calling SBC to give up the seat they were holding for me . . . and set about figuring out how to manage the situation. Wine & water were not a problem . . . abundant supplies of both were at the Hotel. But food . . . another story. I went to nearby markets to rustle up some supplies, but the shelves were stripped bare. I managed to get about six apples & a small chunk of cheddar cheese.
Rain had started, with light winds, as I busied myself in humoring the bewildered & nervous guests (“would anyone like a glass of wine?”). Meanwhile I circled the buildings to close & secure hurricane shutters. In the salon, everyone sat on sofas, chairs, & at tables — quiet reading & conversation. A television was reporting on the storm’s approach.
The electricity went off about 6. No AC, of course. (“Wine, anyone . . . water?”) Bags of chips, brought by some guests, had been passed around & were finished. I was wondering how I was going to turn six apples & a bit of cheese into dinner for 17 people when there was a loud knock at the secured front door. In a very St. Barths experience, we were “saved” by a neighbor who brought a package of four large, boneless pork chops . . . offering them “in case you need some food.”
Voila! The kitchen stove was gas (electricity not needed) . . . and one of the guests was a professional chef. He stepped-up & took charge of preparing dinner — the most delicious pork chops ever (albeit, small portions!). Keep in mind that the weather was becoming quite fierce by now, & our only light -- in the otherwise darkened salon — was a few battery operated lanterns and, fortunately, abundant candles. Acting as Sous Chef, I meticulously cut the apples into elegant, small slices . . . same for the cheese. (“Oh, you’d like more wine — red or white?”) Meanwhile, a few guests had battery operated devices on which they were playing music to lighten the mood . . . from Jimmy Buffett to the Beatles to the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (which is when batteries on the last of such devices went dead).
It was 8 PM . . . exterior wooden shutters (the old St. Barths variety) were loudly shaking in intense, growing winds, & rain was approaching monsoon proportions. Everyone retreated to their respective rooms (as far as I know). With all rooms occupied, I made a comfy “bed” for myself on the concrete floor of the “Maid’s Closet” (lots of towels, blankets, sheets, & pillows there!).
The storm was at its worst, for a couple of hours, around 2 - 4 AM (feeling that I had to be “responsible,” I didn’t sleep much). Soon the wind was dying down. About 6:30, as light dawned, I went outside. All guests were still in their rooms . . . the pool was overflowing water & filled with garden debris. A steady rain continued to fall, but no wind. Walking down the street to the corner, a river of water was flowing in Lorient’s main road . . . almost to my knees. And what a surprise . . . some French military & EDF people were at the corner, working on a large electrical box that was raised high off the ground. They very kindly told me that we could expect electricity about 11 AM (in fact, power was restored at 11:10 AM!)
As I opened the hurricane shutters, signaling to guests that it was safe to emerge, the sun was shining . . . and the hum of clean-up (largely being done by French military troops brought to the island by helicopters ) was music to our ears. St. Barths was returning to life. I don’t know where everyone went, but most of the folks filtered away. As I recall, the snack bar in St. Jean, where Modjo is now, was open & selling breakfast! Jojo’s re-opened! Some friends from Pte. Milou gallantly drove, dodging fallen trees, to The Normandie, delivering to me — in great laughter — a favorite chilled, adult beverage.
I stayed several days . . . directing repairs & clean-up at the Hotel. Dinner one night was with the lovely Good Samaritan neighbors who came in the storm to give pork chops for dinner. There was a palpable bond among everyone on the island . . . smiles of gratitude as people joined in helping one another in many ways. The Assistant Manager returned, a bit sheepishly.
Needless to say, an unforgettable experience. I don’t want to “go there” again, & since we no longer have the Hotel, history won’t be repeating itself. I can, however, imagine finding myself holed-up in Villa CEC in a storm . . . but there’ll be lots of food, water, & wine — with room for a few friends, if anyone needs help.
A sequel . . . about 10 months later, I received an email message from a young, newlywed couple from Dallas who survived the hurricane night at The Normandie. Their baby — a gift of that evening — was named “Norman.”
le_reve
Senior Insider
This is basically the best story, ever. Love it!
Dennis, love reading your postings & pictures too. I know you must have read Herman Wouk's 'Don't Stop the Carnival' before or during your Normandie ownership. My hardback copy is now on loan to our financial man in Savannah who then loaned to his mom who goes to St. John annually.
This brought up my memories of Hurricane David, 1979 I think. My new husband & I were visiting my former landlords on St Croix at their lovely Bermuda style home, complete with the same type of white 'roofing' & cement walls, view of Buck Island in the distance. When I lived in their guest cottage with husband #1, never a storm in the year there 68-69. In '79 my former landlords swore that 'their man' would come to board up the windows, move the front & back of house outdoor furniture...but he had 2 families in different parts of the island, so a no show. Another couple who I'd met 10 years earlier, & lived on their boat, so they became guests along with us & the foursome doing the work of the no show man till late at nite. With generator & grill, steaks from the freezer, sides & lots of alcohol being imbibed into the wee hours of the morning unable to sleep with the noise and high winds. As Dennis described, the next morning the calm after the storm & a beautiful day for beginning the cleanup on St. Croix, the harbour, and where we were guests, Villa Terramar, had some minor damage. Not a fun thing to go thru & as David wreaked havoc going up the east coast including to us then back home in Wayne PA for our inches of rain, wind & power outages. Quite a memory...
This brought up my memories of Hurricane David, 1979 I think. My new husband & I were visiting my former landlords on St Croix at their lovely Bermuda style home, complete with the same type of white 'roofing' & cement walls, view of Buck Island in the distance. When I lived in their guest cottage with husband #1, never a storm in the year there 68-69. In '79 my former landlords swore that 'their man' would come to board up the windows, move the front & back of house outdoor furniture...but he had 2 families in different parts of the island, so a no show. Another couple who I'd met 10 years earlier, & lived on their boat, so they became guests along with us & the foursome doing the work of the no show man till late at nite. With generator & grill, steaks from the freezer, sides & lots of alcohol being imbibed into the wee hours of the morning unable to sleep with the noise and high winds. As Dennis described, the next morning the calm after the storm & a beautiful day for beginning the cleanup on St. Croix, the harbour, and where we were guests, Villa Terramar, had some minor damage. Not a fun thing to go thru & as David wreaked havoc going up the east coast including to us then back home in Wayne PA for our inches of rain, wind & power outages. Quite a memory...
KevinS
Senior Insider
Dennis, you’re always the consummate host, even in the teeth of a hurricane. As to your “pork chop” neighbors, I’ve always found that the St Barth locals, if you take the time to get to know them, are wonderful people.
amyb
Senior Insider
Hooray!
