This is a short one, I promise. But maybe it’s one you can relate to, as well.
If you read my last couple posts, you know that the horrific destruction of St. Martin by hurricane Irma was devastating to me. It was really hard for me to cope at all for about a week after the storm hit.
I felt so guilty, so angry, so stupid for having trouble coping when I was even personally affected by the storm. I was a little offended at my own reaction, and I was afraid other people would be, as well.
And then something unexpected happened. Other people were having the same feelings I was. Other people were hitting the same mile markers of grief that I was. I got a lot of great supportive texts and emails from other people in the time between the hurricane and the time we actually had regular communication with the island again.
In the words of my husband, Ben, “It’s OK to feel what you feel.” An article on survivor’s guilt that my friend Lezlie sent me said that all these feelings are normal. The faster we allow them to surface, the faster we can be OK again.
So if you were practically unaffected by Jose, Irma, Harvey or Maria and you’re feeling grief and guilt that you don’t understand, it’s alright.
You can do something with those feelings, too. You take your compassion and sadness and turn them into love. Let’s love on these places that were hit by the hurricanes!
Here’s an article I wrote for The Vacation Times about helping St. Martin. Supporting my island will help me to heal, and it can help you to heal, as well.
Well, I’m probably over-posting on Facebook about Hurricane Irma and the devastation it caused in Saint Martin. I have an awful lot to say about it, though, especially as new updates keep coming through. I figure if you want to know what I have to say about the situation, you’ll read this. And look– here you are!
Med Students are OK
After a semi-sleepless night a couple days ago and plenty of tears, I finally started hearing from friends who had been out of contact for a day after the storm.
The people who sheltered in American University of the Caribbean are safe, and not only that, anyone with any medical training (even first semester med students) are volunteering in a makeshift clinic! They even delivered a baby! What a birth story.
Many of the students, spouses and kids were able to evacuate to Puerto Rico. Many others, mostly students, stayed behind.
Tom and Lisa are OK
If you follow me on social media, you probably know a bit about Tom and Lisa Burnett, who ran Player Development Program in Sint Maarten.
I used to go there most days to tutor and mentor the kids. Player Development blew away and the pieces are yet to be found.
But Tom and Lisa (plus their four dogs) are safe! I could breathe easier after I found that out. Their neighborhood was hit very hard.
They survived the storm huddled on a mattress under their table, both of them plus of the four dogs. They stayed there all day, through the storm and even after their roof was ripped off. I am shaking right now just thinking about it.
Still Waiting to Hear from Local Friends
I started following more SXM residents on social media to keep up with videos and photos. Many people seem to be OK and in shelter, but strictly rationing food and water, and in perhaps in pain.
The need help but it is hard to know what to do. Samaritan’s Purse has a fund now, and I they are delivering much needed help! If you want to help, give to them. But I haven’t heard much else, although a friend of mine with a Canadian Rotary Club is planning to try to ship down supplies and suggested that I call my local airport to see which airlines are willing to ship relief supplies down.
I haven’t heard from too many people since the main cell tower was taken out by the storm, and the power company as well, I believe.
I just keep thinking about how bad I’ve been at communication lately. My life is so out of control right now and I put everyone else on the back burner. I guess you don’t realize you’re doing that until your friends are in a life-threatening situation and you remember that the last thing you said was some stupid thing about doughnuts or worse, nothing at all for the past few weeks.
There’s nothing like the fear that you might have lost someone to make you think of all the stuff you wish you said to them last week.
I’m Grieving
I think I’m going through the stages of grief. I’m partially in denial, because how can those photos be real when they don’t match my memories? That flooded street covered in debris was a sunlit lane when I walked down it just a few months ago.
I can close my eyes and go back to the way it was. I can see and hear and feel and smell every part of the island.
I can hear the way it sounds to knock on the door of one of my baseball kid’s house. In my mind it is still there.
I can feel the gravel at player development under my feet and see the books and toys and everything.
I can see the view from my old balcony like I am standing there again. Pretty sure that balcony blew away.
I can taste the shawarmas at Little Jerusalem and hear the “clink, clink” of Abe and Cathy chopping up meat on the grill.
But then there are those photos of the destruction, the videos of the looting. It’s hard to reconcile.
I Should Be There
And there is this overwhelming sense of guilt, because somehow I feel like I am supposed to be there.
Maybe I wouldn’t be saying this if I’d actually gone through it, but I’d rather have stuck out the day in AUC, where the hurricane shelter was strong and safe, than be here wondering and waiting and watching from afar.
I’d rather be out dragging palm fronds off the street right now. Or something else useful. Maybe that sounds dumb, and maybe it is dumb.
It’s stupid to want to be stuck on an island when so many people are suffering and desperately awaiting help and wanting to leave.
I feel stupid. And useless.
People reading this are probably going to think I’m trying to be some kind of weird martyr or something, but I think I’m just really emotional and stressed out.
I actually called Jet Blue yesterday to find out if I can fly down and when, but I couldn’t get through because they’re too busy handling the crisis.
I don’t even know what I would do if I did go. It’s not like they need more people to use up rations, anyway.
So anyway, now we’re both depressed, you’re welcome. Maybe I should go back to journaling instead of blogging.
That’s what things look like from my perspective.
Now just waiting for Irma to hit Florida, and I can’t wait until that is done and the power is back and I can hear from everyone.
Today is the day that Hurricane Irma hit, with Jose close on its heels.
Twenty-two years ago to the day, Hurricane Luis devastated the island, wreaking havoc and destroying the homes and livelihoods of so many.
I have walked through La Belle Creole, a resort that was destroyed by Luis. The ruins of the building, blown out windows, scattered furniture, and torn drapes, became a frequent haunt of mine. I could not imagine the winds that whipped the concrete walls into such shapes.
And now it’s happening again.
Just yesterday, Saint Martin was as I remember it: 37 beautiful beaches, architecture historic and new, brightly colored homes lined up neatly at the ocean’s edge.
When I go back, nothing will be the same. All the places I love will be gone. Will I recognize beautiful Soualiga?
The places might be gone, but as long as the people are OK, that is enough.
Photo Credit Flash Mateo Antilles
There was a terrible space of a few hours when all was silent on the island. The live camera at Holland House abruptly cut out, and the outside world had no contact with the island.
Here, in my new home in Michigan, the clear, blue skies and sunshine seem to mock the screaming destruction on the island.
Finally, Saint Martin has entered the eye of the hurricane. People are emerging from their safe spaces to assess the damage and find more secure places to stay.
I breath a sigh of relief every time I saw a post on Facebook from a friend.
But I cried at each new photo and video.
The island is under water.
The government buildings are destroyed, said the news.
They say 7,000 French Caribbean people refused to take shelter.
They say the historic buildings are wrecked.
I can see that the cars are all destroyed. Where will people come up with the money for new cars?
I can see buildings I know with roofs ripped off and water feet deep inside.
I can see people milling about in disbelief.
The eye of Hurricane Irma is twice as large as my tiny island.
Photo Credit Flash Meteo Antilles
What do you do in times like this? I know many of my friends are safe and secure on the campus of American University of the Caribbean, a category five hurricane shelter. But many people are not there.
Many people will take shelter, but still lose their houses.
Many people have actual homes on the island, and not just rented apartments and dorms.
The maelstrom around my island is mirrored by a maelstrom in my mind.
Photo credit Cyriel Richardsom
What is sunshine?
What is birdsong?
My reality cannot be real,
Not when the storm is the only reality for my island.
There’s something painfully agonizing about not being there.
Part of me is glad I moved away before the storm.
Photo Credit RCI
Part of me wishes I was there to help with the clean up.
I know I’d be OK in the basement of the medical school.
I know I could help rebuild.
But I can’t do that from here, and it’s making me sad already.
The damage isn’t even done, and the second half of the storm is still on its way.
Some stupid article about Donald Trump’s Saint Martin home keeps landing in the top posts on Google.
Who cares about Donald Trumps freaking house?
I doubt even Donald Trump cares about his freaking house.
I don’t care about an empty vacation home on Plum Bay going down.
I care about the shipping container homes on Pond Island.
I care about the family homes and foster homes in Dutch Quarter and St. Peter’s.
I care about the little beach houses in Philipsburg.
I care about the houses of all shapes and sizes filled with people I love and people I’ve never met.
I’m amazed that GEBE survived the storm and that power is still on.
I’m thankful, too, to see posts on Facebook and Twitter.
I’m glad you are OK.
What amazes me is that in the midst of the storm, people are praising God.
In a video of the destruction, a woman thanked God for being alive, even as she showed the wreckage of her hometown and Jeep.
It’s strange how so much loss puts things in perspective. When everything is lost, the people of Saint Martin are thanking God for the things they still have: their lives and each other.
Why did God let a storm like this hit Saint Martin?
I wish I had the answer to that.
But I’m glad to see that people can still say he is good when everything in their lives has suddenly been lost in the storm.
Stay strong, SXM. Stay faithful.
This storm is going to hit a lot of places, but there are those of us on the outside who are thinking of you and praying for you.
There are people who are crying tears for you even as you are in hurricane shelters.
There are people who see your pain and feel it with you.
You’ve recovered from storms before. You can do it again.
Saint Martin can’t be taken down by the wind and the rain.
Whenever I fly, I’m always paranoid about my passport. After all, I’ve heard the horror stories! Someone I know had their passport stolen while traveling, and they were trapped in Africa for weeks. This stuff happens! However, I’m not so worried about it any more. Why? because I’ve ditched the insecurity of a clear plastic bag for an Alban passport wallet that holds my passport, my ticket, and my cash. If you’re a frequent traveler, you’re going to love the security in this! Read on…
Why I Need a Passport Wallet
Ben and I travel light, We usually take a backpack as a carry-on and pass on the checked baggage. As you can see from the photo above, that backpack is pretty huge, and I have to buckle the waist strap to carry it. It’s not easy to take on and off constantly. Obviously, I’m not a big fan of storing my passport in the backpack, and I’m not comfortable just walking around with my passport and ticket loose in my hand.
The Alban Passport Wallet solved that problem for me! I can stick my passport in there, of course, but it also has a nifty slot in the back that is the perfect size for a plane ticket. It can also fit money, a drivers license, and credit cards. It’s like a tiny purse that’s easy to manage and can slip into a personal item or carry-on.
Benefits of the Alban Passport Wallet
There are a lot of different passport wallets out there, but they are not created equal. Ben uses this clear plastic thing that he stuffs, like, seven documents into, along with a wad of cash. He’s never lost anything out of it, but it’s not very secure and he has to keep it in a pocket or a bag while he’s walking around. Even nice passport wallets aren’t as good as the Alban one I have. What sets it apart?
Here’s what makes this passport case better than the rest: RFID blocking material. The lining of this case protects against your identity being stolen! You can walk through crowded airports and city centers without worrying about losing your identity to a stranger. Stick your passport in the wallet and your credit cards in the back, and you’ll be safe from RFID devices.
With this passport case, I can keep my wallet, cash, and plane ticket all together! No more digging through bags or stuffing important documents in hard-to-reach places. This case is big enough to fit a passport with extra pages. I travel internationally a lot and have the extra pages in my passport, so I need that kind of space.
Plus, did I mention that it’s made of authentic leather? It’s tough, so your passport will be protected. Badly damaged passports aren’t valid. One of my favorite singers, Keith Harkin of Celtic Thunder, had to miss an entire tour due to a damaged passport. Don’t let that happen to you! Get a good case.
The case is also very attractive, by the way. It comes in seven colors, including black, red, and purple.
I am so glad that I discovered an affordable, beautiful, and secure passport wallet. I’m always stressed out about losing my passport on trips, but now I have peace of mind! If you don’t have a good RFID-blocking passport case, this is the perfect one to get.
I found the perfect solution to bulky purses, wallets, and phone cases! Thank goodness, because I really needed this. It’s a phone wallet, and it sticks right onto the back of your phone! I really love this and am excited to tell you about it. I’ll give you hint as to why: it has to do with security, style, and butterflies.
Why do I need a phone case wallet?
Let’s start with my life in high school. If you knew me in high school or college, you will remember the gigantic tote bag from my teen days and the backbreaking pink backpack from college. I was the kid who had anything you needed. Once, someone asked for a rubber ducky and I had it. True story.
Once I graduated, I was done with all that bulk and weight. I became a bit of a minimalist, and bought a thin phone case with a wallet slit in the back. It was great– until last week, when I dropped the phone on asphalt and — SMACK! — gave it a nasty crack in the screen. The problem was the chintzy case! All because I had to have the wallet case.
Obviously, I need a more protective case. They don’t make many of those with wallets in the back. However, last week, I was introduced to the Pocket Wallet by Alban, an adhesive credit card sleeve! This is the best of both worlds, because I can stick it to the back of any phone case and it adds only about two millimeters of width. My husband, Ben, loves it, too! He stuck one in his favorite color to the back of his Otterbox.
Phone Pocket Wallet Features
Although the concept is pretty simple, there are many excellent aspects to the credit card sleeve. First of all, it is great at holding up to three cards. There’s virtually no way these things are going to slip out. I love this, because I can keep my driver’s license in here. I can just grab it and run if I need to drive somewhere, and I don’t have to lug around my purse. Look, ma, no hands!
Speaking of no hands, this credit card holder limits the need to grip your phone. So you can relax your hands while you’re texting or carrying around your phone. All you have to do is slip a couple fingers into the built-in strap, and you’re good to go! My mom decided to try out her new Pocket Wallet today on her run. Rather than stashing her phone in a lap belt, she slid the strap onto her fingers. Not only was it comfortable, it also allowed her to have better access to her music, GPS, and timer.
In addition to the convenient storage and finger strap, the Alban Pocket Wallet credit card holder also protects your identity. You can slide your credit cards in here with no worries, because the phone card pocket is lined with RFID blocking material. I can walk around knowing my identity is safe. After all, to quote the infamous Tim Hawkins parody, “I know ya’ll really wanna be me.”
By the way, check out the cool designs you can choose from. My favorite is the pink flower credit card holder designed by artist Vanessa Kiki Johanning. It is so pretty and stylish!
My Initial Impression
Today, Ben was taking the biggest test of his life (more on this later), so my mom and I had a girls’ day. We went to Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we brought along our phones with our new Alban credit card sleeves. Not only did we enjoy all the built-in features, but we discovered an unadvertised perk offered by the credit card sleeves! Apparently, the brightly-colored flower on the case designed by Vanessa Kiki Johanning also attracts butterflies!
There are 3,000 butterflies in the Butterfly Wonderland enclosure, but none of them were very interested in landing on us until we brought out the phone wallet designed by Vanessa Kiki Johanning. All those bright colors are apparently just as appealing to butterflies!
How You Can Get an Alban Phone Case Credit Card Sleeve
If you want a slim, affordable and stylish credit card pocket for your phone, you’re in luck! The Alban credit card protector sleeve is just a click away.
Pocket Wallets on the Alban Website:
Guess what! We have a coupon, just for 3rd Culture Wife readers!
15% off! Enter code: 3RDCULTUREWIFE at checkout through end July 2017 with FREE SHIPPING. 1 coupon per email address for whole order.
Plain Colored Pocket Wallets: $14 (Reg $14.99) for a 2 pack
Pocket Wallets Designed by Vanessa Kiki Johanning: $18 (Reg $20.00) for a 2 pack
These credit card phone pockets are a great buy. You can use them with virtually any phone case, and they are super convenient! Plus, they add a great pop of color to your look. Grab a two pack so you can share one with a friend! My whole family is loving them right now, and you can, too. This is the best must-have travel accessory I’ve found so far. Enjoy!
St. Barth’s is the French Caribbean’s premier vacation destination. It’s so fancy (you already know)! The world’s rich and famous flock to its white sand beaches all year round! When I had the chance to visit with my friend Emily, however, I was more excited about the historic forts than the upscale resorts. Are you a history buff, too? Read on to see the stunning views from St. Barth’s Fort Karl!
Fort Karl is located in the town of Gustavia. It’s pretty easy to find. St. Barth’s is only about nine square miles, and Gustavia is the port city where just about everybody arrives. A quick ATV ride or brisk walk will bring you to the foot of the stairs. Take the brief climb up the stairs, and you’ll be on top of the world! Well, on top of the island, at least.
Fort Karl has been around for quite some time! It was built in 1789, when the island belonged to Sweden. Since then, it has become rather overgrown with bushes, cacti, and scrubby trees. In recent decades, the island has made the ruins of the fort a popular tourist attraction, creating paths through the fort and signage to interpret the history and nature of the area.
Although the fort is no longer necessary for island defense, it is an excellent vantage point for sightseeing! You get great views of the town, and apparently it’s also a popular place for whale-watching. We didn’t see any whales, much to our sadness, but we did see a bunch of boats arriving for the annual St. Barth’s regatta.
The view from the top really put the tiny size of Gustavia in perspective! It’s incredible how tiny and old this charming historic town is. They’ve really kept it nice through all these years. It’s a tiny place with a whole lot of history! I wonder what it was like to live here during the era when it was all but forgotten by Europe?
From the top, we could also see our next destination: Shell Beach! This beach is entirely carpeted by tiny shells. We could hardly wait to get down and zoom over to this beautiful beach! St. Barth’s has so much to see.
Stay tuned for a photo-filled post about beautiful Shell Beach! You don’t want to miss a taste of this stunning Caribbean destination. Like and follow for more posts on St. Barth’s and the Caribbean! Until next time.
