amyb
Senior Insider
#3..I would add that the embedded road reflectors are super vision and safety aids when heading home at night.
This time is a Goodbye and not an Arrivederci.
- Thread starter dsrc
- Start date
My soon to be ex- son-in-law has a Amex Black card. Fee is $10,000 a year and you must charge/spend $1M per year. INSANEIt's a black card, it says "American" - - but it ain't no Amex Black Card!
amyb
Senior Insider
I simply can not control myself.
pascaleschmidt
Senior Insider
Bonne récupération! Je suis tombée et fracturé ma hanche… ça fait quelques mois mais pénible! Courage!
Happycamper
SBH Insider
This thread reminds me of the old Yogi Berra quote "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."
While I far prefer the "old St Barth" myself and would never step foot in the beach clubs of excess, I can't argue that they are ruining the island if more people are coming than ever before. Passing by St Jean is like playing Frogger with semi-drunk, semi-clad, semi-fashionistas.
The people ARE voting with their feet and we are losing the election.
While I far prefer the "old St Barth" myself and would never step foot in the beach clubs of excess, I can't argue that they are ruining the island if more people are coming than ever before. Passing by St Jean is like playing Frogger with semi-drunk, semi-clad, semi-fashionistas.
The people ARE voting with their feet and we are losing the election.
cassidain
Senior Insider
"dreadful beach clubs"
a lot of this is just the vibe and scene that the younger generation wants
Cassidain fils and his petite amie are in Aspen skiing and sent a live photo yesterday from one of Veuve Clicquot's Sun Club popups, where they were doing a little après-ski. Sure enough, in the background is the loud thump-thump-thump of techno music to get everyone swaying and bobbing.
c'est la vie . . . and so forth
a lot of this is just the vibe and scene that the younger generation wants
Cassidain fils and his petite amie are in Aspen skiing and sent a live photo yesterday from one of Veuve Clicquot's Sun Club popups, where they were doing a little après-ski. Sure enough, in the background is the loud thump-thump-thump of techno music to get everyone swaying and bobbing.
c'est la vie . . . and so forth
jamiem4
SBH Insider
7p
I have to laugh! Playing Frogger is the exact description of driving past Nikki Beach! I was trying to think of what it reminds me of each time I go to Gustavia or just headed in that general direction. I feel like I am in a shooting gallery and taking my life in my hands. It would be nice if the parking was removed from the side of the road because I see more and more people who are unable to parallel park and who are completely clueless when backing into a spot. Then, of course, there are the humans that are dodging in and out like a drunk zombie apocalypse. Naturally, we have other ways around this dreaded area, but those are not ideal with the construction. Even though I am on “island time”, I still have work to do and calls that are scheduled so planning the death drive is a part of my day. Anyway, you did make me laugh! I may try to go play Frogger on the computer if it still exists!
I have to laugh! Playing Frogger is the exact description of driving past Nikki Beach! I was trying to think of what it reminds me of each time I go to Gustavia or just headed in that general direction. I feel like I am in a shooting gallery and taking my life in my hands. It would be nice if the parking was removed from the side of the road because I see more and more people who are unable to parallel park and who are completely clueless when backing into a spot. Then, of course, there are the humans that are dodging in and out like a drunk zombie apocalypse. Naturally, we have other ways around this dreaded area, but those are not ideal with the construction. Even though I am on “island time”, I still have work to do and calls that are scheduled so planning the death drive is a part of my day. Anyway, you did make me laugh! I may try to go play Frogger on the computer if it still exists!
Totally get it...wrote extensively about a trip my 30yr old son took with his new finance to pop the ring in December...first came to the island on 1990...my son told me the over the top behavior by the new obnoxious rich...and restaurants was unprecedented and basically ruined their trip...only positive...which is most important...we have a future, awesome daughter in law...might have to leave my memories to just that...memories...
amyb
Senior Insider
So sad an ending.
le_reve
Senior Insider
To be fair, weren't they here during the Christmas/New Year's holiday? That is probably not the best time to come here if you are not interested in obnoxious rich people and the restaurants clamoring to fleece them. Come in the summer when things are much more civilized.
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cassidain
Senior Insider
ditto
didier
Senior Insider
I am surprised this thread is still going, kinda like the energizer bunny. it comes down to this, st. barths will never be like it was 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. no place is. the people are still the same if you take the time to speak to them. the beauty of the island, still here. the beaches are still beautiful. saline has not been developed, love an early morning walk there. colombier still great, getting there by a path or by boat.
I believe the real story here that is not mentioned is this, the people who no longer want to come here have gotten older, they no longer go to the beach unless its just outside a restaurant. they no longer hike as their own situation has changed with age. so what is left for them, I am not sure. everything changes, if it didn't we would stagnate.
I still like being able to go to the local hardware store and say put this on my tab. I pay them at the end of the month. does that still happen in the states?, no, not since the sixties or earlier. Its nice to know all my neighbors and others around the island, like a small town that really cares. I like that I can go to the doctor ( around 35 euros) or local pharmacist and I can tell him my health problems and he knows exactly the medicine that I need which is normally around 5 euros. I had a friend come over with her prescription which she pays 250 dollars a month for, it was less than 5 euros here to get it filled. so folks, it might not be the paradise for you. and if it isn't thats okay too.
I believe the real story here that is not mentioned is this, the people who no longer want to come here have gotten older, they no longer go to the beach unless its just outside a restaurant. they no longer hike as their own situation has changed with age. so what is left for them, I am not sure. everything changes, if it didn't we would stagnate.
I still like being able to go to the local hardware store and say put this on my tab. I pay them at the end of the month. does that still happen in the states?, no, not since the sixties or earlier. Its nice to know all my neighbors and others around the island, like a small town that really cares. I like that I can go to the doctor ( around 35 euros) or local pharmacist and I can tell him my health problems and he knows exactly the medicine that I need which is normally around 5 euros. I had a friend come over with her prescription which she pays 250 dollars a month for, it was less than 5 euros here to get it filled. so folks, it might not be the paradise for you. and if it isn't thats okay too.
dadto6
Senior Insider
Hello Didier
Hello Didier,
You are spot on your assessment. Thank God I can still hike, climb stairs and enjoy the beauty of the Island fully as I did 20-years ago albeit a little slower. I can appreciate others that have aged and cannot do what they did 20-years ago or even 5-years ago. Yes, they probably quit coming. No reason to complain about it, life changes. I adore and LOVE St. Barth. I always feel very welcomed the minute I step foot off the plane; it is my HAPPY PLACE! Looking forward to my next upcoming trip with my #5 & #6 children. Already have our activities and dining plans in place. Countdown is on...
Beachcomber
SBH Insider
Great exchange! It also has been interesting to me to see how the topic “has legs.” It clearly comes down to two groups expressing different viewpoints as they arise, I believe, from (a) real acquaintance with the island vs. (b) an overly-simplistic view (without wanting to insult anyone in the latter camp, it might be described as a cosmetic view).
Diana unquestionably speaks as a “local.” Seeing, knowing, & experiencing island glamour . . . while simultaneously embedded in its heritage & values. Intimately tied into island culture . . . connected to it through relationships which are related, socially & in so many other ways, in centuries of tradition, style, & respect for others & the rock that is home.
There are others, such as dadto6, who achieve, by frequency of visits to — & time spent on — the island, a semblance of what Diana knows & describes. An important factor here is a nuance that is rarely achieved by occasional visitors — that is, true personal connections with “locals,” like one has with friends “back home.” Such relationships are difficult to achieve in any community & generally are found only over time and meeting the same people, over & over, in places like the hardware & grocery stores & at Church.
Regular, respectful, recurring — even if only annual — visits to the same restaurants, boulangeries, shops, beaches, & bars go a distance in building local ties. The common goal of diversion in spending time on SBH, however, void of ”real world“ matters, has been crushed for many by disdain of manicured villas, navigating colossal traffic, growing expense related to enjoying the fantasy world of SBH, etc. “Becoming like a living city,” as hydraaa wrote.
As friend Amy has often reminded us, ”Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
dadto6
Senior Insider
Understood, it is all about personal choices. My point is to discourage the bashing of the island because you choose not to come any longer. As Dennis has written, I have created many friendships with locals and enjoy every moment that I spend of the Island. Those are my feelings and my choice, I have traveled extensively and St. Barth checks my boxes. However, I enjoy our oceanfront villa at OBX each Labor Day, which makes it easier for our entire family to join with their busy schedules.
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cassidain
Senior Insider
Ditto
JEK
Senior Insider
I thought bashing this and that about the island is in the DNA of the Forum. Always has been from even before Kara.
