Unusual encounter...

[davesmom]

So, here I was in a local (very) non-upscale Mexican market today in Encinitas to get good tortillas, and I see this lady looking very "old hippie", head scarf, etc. (Very familiar look in my old town and I was there during "those days"..) DD was wearing his Code Zero SBH tee shirt (as usual, one of the many SBH tee shirts!) and she announces to us that she had just returned from SBH! Boy, I learned not to judge a book by its cover ! We had a very unexpected conversation and she has been going since the '80s when she came on a sailboat, and now goes every year with her daughter and grandchild. She used to stay at Les Mouettes until they closed, went to Emeraude Plage and I mentioned the lovely Rosita, whom she seemed to know, and now she said that she stayed at a little place on the Colombier side somewhere for $200 per night! (I swear she was sober..) I have no idea where anyone would stay on SBH for $200/night..I can't even imagine feeding a family of 3 for $200/night these days..

Then she was going on about how great Anguilla is and she also stays every year for a week in a little place where she knows the owner and she gives her a "room on a beautiful beach".

Just wondering if anyone might know who this lady is? She seemed really spunky, drove a beater car plastered with bumper stickers, and looked like she belonged in my old town of Ann Arbor! Does she seem familiar to you? She was really nice and interesting and I should have gotten her number. She is apparently keeps up on some Instagram SBH thing, so I asked her if she was on sbhonline.com, but she did not seem familiar with it. Très petit monde, non?!! Probably a local billionaire..

 

[jamiem4]

So, here I was in a local (very) non-upscale Mexican market today in Encinitas to get good tortillas, and I see this lady looking very "old hippie", head scarf, etc. (Very familiar look in my old town and I was there during "those days"..) DD was wearing his Code Zero SBH tee shirt (as usual, one of the many SBH tee shirts!) and she announces to us that she had just returned from SBH! Boy, I learned not to judge a book by its cover ! We had a very unexpected conversation and she has been going since the '80s when she came on a sailboat, and now goes every year with her daughter and grandchild. She used to stay at Les Mouettes until they closed, went to Emeraude Plage and I mentioned the lovely Rosita, whom she seemed to know, and now she said that she stayed at a little place on the Colombier side somewhere for $200 per night! (I swear she was sober..) I have no idea where anyone would stay on SBH for $200/night..I can't even imagine feeding a family of 3 for $200/night these days..

Then she was going on about how great Anguilla is and she also stays every year for a week in a little place where she knows the owner and she gives her a "room on a beautiful beach".

Just wondering if anyone might know who this lady is? She seemed really spunky, drove a beater car plastered with bumper stickers, and looked like she belonged in my old town of Ann Arbor! Does she seem familiar to you? She was really nice and interesting and I should have gotten her number. She is apparently keeps up on some Instagram SBH thing, so I asked her if she was on sbhonline.com, but she did not seem familiar with it. Très petit monde, non?!! Probably a local billionaire..

When we are not living here on the island, we also live in Rancho Santa Fe (north San Diego) and frequent farmers markets in neighboring areas when back home. Well, while I do not know who she is in particular… but I know who you are referring to…I do know the $200/night location she referenced here on the island. Our Canadian friends just stayed there for three weeks and would run into John Hamm on their exercise walks. He was staying at Cheval Blanc in addition to a rented villa…but they crossed paths… we have the photos! Our friends borrowed a TV from us and used our washer and dryer, towels, etc… but other than that if they said it was quite a comfortable location for a great deal. it is minimalistic but perfect.

The lady is a bit eccentrically fun. I also don’t know her name but I have also crossed paths with her at a farmers market in nearby San Diego.

However back to St. Barts…the proprietor (Sugar) of the inexpensive cottages would be able to let you know… if you get to talking… which does not seem to be a problem!

Ellen probably has more information but if you send me a private message, I will give you the details. I am supposed to keep the best kept secret a secret, although I don’t think it is much of a secret!

We have a group of eight friends from Rancho Santa Fe, coming with us in August for three weeks… while they’re not staying at the cottages, we will be going by to discuss a few few rentals for 2027. These locations book up fast so we have to lock in a few dates for some other friends.

This it may not be the most helpful post however I am going to rack my brain and see if I can recall her name. As for the other, just send a PM message if you want… or Dennis or Ellen probably know off the top of their head. I am getting old and forgetful!

 

[JEK]

"Keys in the ashtray"

 

[didier]

there are a few gems on the island that have very reasonable prices, there is no need to advertise as they get the same repeat visitors every year. I have friends who prefer the old st. barth's feel, they don't need the perks of the higher priced places. one of the best places is at petite anse in flamands, a few cottages just before the walk out to colombier.

I have friends that rent every year, normally for a month's stay. there was this one fellow who always invited dda & me to a small party at one of the cottages he stayed in just before he leaves every year. He always told us that if we ever came to nyc to call him as he has a small place there near greenwich village. we decided to look him up last summer. all I can say is wow, his property in nyc was so amazing with the tall ceilings and artwork. he bought the property in 1980 when prices were more reasonable.

bottom line, it all depends on what luxuries that you need. as with my friend, he only wants to look at the ocean with his little terrace and read books while he is here, perhaps a dinner out once in awhile. that is paradise for him.

 

[KevinS]

Not that long ago I used to occasionally rent at Les Mouettes, on the beach in Lorient, for less than $200/night. That was all-in, including the tax and a tip for the maid. It helped to be happy with very basic, no perks - 4 walls, a bed, a bathroom, and a tiny out door kitchenette. These days, I think they’re only looking for longer stays, but it’s still less than $250/night at today’s exchange rate.

Back in the day, Bleu Outre Mer, on the beach in St Jean between Tom Beach and the airport, was similar, but even cheaper. (It’s now a large gated villa.). The studios at the old Marigot Bay Club weren’t much more, and the steep climb up the hill from the restaurant would burn off a few calories from dinner.

 

[amyb]

Not that long ago I used to occasionally rent at Les Mouettes, on the beach in Lorient, for less than $200/night. That was all-in, including the tax and a tip for the maid. It helped to be happy with very basic, no perks - 4 walls, a bed, a bathroom, and a tiny out door kitchenette. These days, I think they’re only looking for longer stays, but it’s still less than $250/night at today’s exchange rate.

Back in the day, Bleu Outre Mer, on the beach in St Jean between Tom Beach and the airport, was similar, but even cheaper. (It’s now a large gated villa.). The studios at the old Marigot Bay Club weren’t much more, and the steep climb up the hill from the restaurant would burn off a few calories from dinner.

Oh those days of yore!

 

[JEK]

Oh those days of yore!

Speaking of days of yore, a trip report that includes "keys in the ashtray"

 

[amyb]

Speaking of days of yore, a trip report that includes "keys in the ashtray"

That too!

 

[davesmom]

When we are not living here on the island, we also live in Rancho Santa Fe (north San Diego) and frequent farmers markets in neighboring areas when back home. Well, while I do not know who she is in particular… but I know who you are referring to…I do know the $200/night location she referenced here on the island. Our Canadian friends just stayed there for three weeks and would run into John Hamm on their exercise walks. He was staying at Cheval Blanc in addition to a rented villa…but they crossed paths… we have the photos! Our friends borrowed a TV from us and used our washer and dryer, towels, etc… but other than that if they said it was quite a comfortable location for a great deal. it is minimalistic but perfect.

The lady is a bit eccentrically fun. I also don’t know her name but I have also crossed paths with her at a farmers market in nearby San Diego.

However back to St. Barts…the proprietor (Sugar) of the inexpensive cottages would be able to let you know… if you get to talking… which does not seem to be a problem!

Ellen probably has more information but if you send me a private message, I will give you the details. I am supposed to keep the best kept secret a secret, although I don’t think it is much of a secret!

We have a group of eight friends from Rancho Santa Fe, coming with us in August for three weeks… while they’re not staying at the cottages, we will be going by to discuss a few few rentals for 2027. These locations book up fast so we have to lock in a few dates for some other friends.

This it may not be the most helpful post however I am going to rack my brain and see if I can recall her name. As for the other, just send a PM message if you want… or Dennis or Ellen probably know off the top of their head. I am getting old and forgetful!

Awesome post, Jamiem4! I will PM you. We are in RSF also and perhaps we have lots of friends in common! Sounds great that you are going in August..very peaceful, I am guessing!

 

[noel]

When we are not living here on the island, we also live in Rancho Santa Fe (north San Diego) and frequent farmers markets in neighboring areas when back home. Well, while I do not know who she is in particular… but I know who you are referring to…I do know the $200/night location she referenced here on the island. Our Canadian friends just stayed there for three weeks and would run into John Hamm on their exercise walks. He was staying at Cheval Blanc in addition to a rented villa…but they crossed paths… we have the photos! Our friends borrowed a TV from us and used our washer and dryer, towels, etc… but other than that if they said it was quite a comfortable location for a great deal. it is minimalistic but perfect.

The lady is a bit eccentrically fun. I also don’t know her name but I have also crossed paths with her at a farmers market in nearby San Diego.

However back to St. Barts…the proprietor (Sugar) of the inexpensive cottages would be able to let you know… if you get to talking… which does not seem to be a problem!

Ellen probably has more information but if you send me a private message, I will give you the details. I am supposed to keep the best kept secret a secret, although I don’t think it is much of a secret!

We have a group of eight friends from Rancho Santa Fe, coming with us in August for three weeks… while they’re not staying at the cottages, we will be going by to discuss a few few rentals for 2027. These locations book up fast so we have to lock in a few dates for some other friends.

This it may not be the most helpful post however I am going to rack my brain and see if I can recall her name. As for the other, just send a PM message if you want… or Dennis or Ellen probably know off the top of their head. I am getting old and forgetful!

Coincidentally, John Hamm was our daughter’s drama teacher here at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis.

 

[davesmom]

Coincidentally, John Hamm was our daughter’s drama teacher here at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis.

Too funny; I used to teach at Washington University in St. Louis and know that school well! (I got married there, too!)

 

[noel]

Too funny; I used to teach at Washington University in St. Louis and know that school well! (I got married there, too!)

Wow!
Our daughter is now med school faculty at Washington U, and was married in Graham Chapel there. Also, I am on the National Council of the Brown School (social work). What did you teach?

 

[davesmom]

Wow!
Our daughter is now med school faculty at Washington U, and was married in Graham Chapel there. Also, I am on the National Council of the Brown School (social work). What did you teach?

French! I was married at my parents' home as they were living there coincidentally at that time; reception in Clayton. Our son chose that school as his undergrad 25 years later, and we spent 4 fabulous years visiting Clayton! I spent lots of time on Parent Council, helped build a field for Lacrosse (he played for them), and recruited for Wash U as well..long time ago ! We really love STL and all the great restaurants and still order my favorite BBQ sauce and Tucker sauce..can't live without it. I used to know Dr. Shapiro in the Med school..fabulous school and great faculty! My favorite guy was Professor Wallace in the Art History dept. (I have another partial degree in Art History.) So many great people there! Burroughs was the best school in STL btw!

 

[Rocket]

Our annual vacation was to spend a week in July with my grandparents on Pestalozzi Street in St. Louis. The only thing hotter would be two rats making love in a wool sock.

 

[davesmom]

Our annual vacation was to spend a week in July with my grandparents on Pestalozzi Street in St. Louis. The only thing hotter would be two rats making love in a wool sock.

Well, STL is not known for its climate! Between the ice storms and the humidity, it is very nice! At least you probably got to go over to the Hill and have sandwiches at Amighettis. We used to get them and eat them on the steps of the Church! And don't even get me started with the 2 hour+ waits at Cunetto's...the best of the best! Hard to beat the food in STL!

 

[Eve]

Not that long ago I used to occasionally rent at Les Mouettes, on the beach in Lorient, for less than $200/night. That was all-in, including the tax and a tip for the maid. It helped to be happy with very basic, no perks - 4 walls, a bed, a bathroom, and a tiny out door kitchenette. These days, I think they’re only looking for longer stays, but it’s still less than $250/night at today’s exchange rate.

Back in the day, Bleu Outre Mer, on the beach in St Jean between Tom Beach and the airport, was similar, but even cheaper. (It’s now a large gated villa.). The studios at the old Marigot Bay Club weren’t much more, and the steep climb up the hill from the restaurant would burn off a few calories from dinner.

They closed down a few years ago. I recall Rosita said it may change

 

[Dennis]

Our annual vacation was to spend a week in July with my grandparents on Pestalozzi Street in St. Louis. The only thing hotter would be two rats making love in a wool sock.

Way to clean that up!