Rainbow Beach Sunset

Rainbow Beach Sunset

Last Saturday evening we were all sitting in our Rainbow living room when I happened to glance out the window. The sky was literally on fire with the pink glow of sunset, like I’d never seen before.  I grabbed my camera and ran barefoot down the stairs, across the parking lot, and around the middle building to the pool area.  By the time I got there, the best of the light was gone, but enough of it was still there to grab this photograph.

When I got back, Cari suggested Pizza for dinner.  Nobody felt like cooking, so it sounded like a great idea.  She Skyped in an order to Pizza Dan’s, and 20 minutes later she, Piper, Tanner and I made the short walk to pick it up. It was a pleasant evening… gentle breeze, not too humid, and even a bit cool (for Caribbean standards).

Pizza Dan's... always busy. Piper was sleepy and seemed hypnotized by the florescent lights.

Pizza Dan’s… always busy. Piper was sleepy and seemed hypnotized by the florescent lights.

Pizza Dan’s is a little hole in the wall joint (literally) that’s right next door to AUC, and it’s a staple for most students.  The sight of one of Dan’s pizza boxes in the arm of a student is as common as lab coats and text books.    He’s got the usual options available, and he’s got some that are uniquely his own, like the Funky Special (buffalo sauce, chicken, bacon, extra cheese) and The Don’s (pesto sauce, chicken, tomatoes, artichokes, onion and garlic) and The Student Special (tomato sauce,  cheese, peperoni, gorgonzola, and honey).

On the walk down there, we stopped no less than half a dozen times to chat with students and spouses.  And about the same number of times Cari would shout to others, “Good luck tomorrow in Neuro!”  or “How did your interview go in Clinicals today?”  As we walked past Tradewinds, we heard Cecily Lew shout, “Hey!  It’s some of my favorite people!  How’s it going Crookstons?”

The short walk to Pizza Dan’s takes you right past BB’s.  Like most restaurants on this land, BB’s is open air with just a roof over it.  Their “kitchen” isn’t much more than a big charcoal grill out back, which often wafts tantalizing bbq smells around the neighborhood.  There’s a rumor I’ve heard, unconfirmed, that BB’s is land-squatting.  They don’t own the land, and they don’t pay rent.  They just thew up a roof and a kitchen and called it a restaurant.  So long as they pay their utility bills, the government doesn’t much care.  Don’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s believable.

Any given evening will find half a dozen professors and their spouses enjoying a drink with a few students playing fooseball and watching sports on the TV.  And this evening was no different.  I’ve been wanting for a while to capture a photo of BB’s just after sunset, and this night proved to be a perfect opportunity.

BB's outdoor Resturant

BB’s outdoor Restaurant

The neighborhood of Cupecoy, and even more specifically, the area right around AUC is a fun little student community.  There’s a sense of a common purpose, of a shared goal, and of mutual support.  It’s good to be here on the island with my family, and while sometimes I want to speed time up and fast forward to the next stage of life, on evenings like this I wish I could slow it down.

Our time here is quickly coming to an end, and for Tanner and I, even more so. Time will tell what memories we take away from our time on this island.  But for this night, which seems almost too idyllic to be true, I want a record of it in this blog so years from now when we look back, it won’t be forgotten.

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COMMENTS
    JoAnn Holm commented

    I like what I am readying….a sense of Contentment and peace IN THE MOMENT…I love it Casey, it’s a wonderful thing in person who often remarks he needs more patience! God is blessing you with amazing eyes to see…some of the beauties in life, so many others walk by and miss! I like experiencing it through your camera…even more so as I plan my trip to come to St. Martin during their spring break. THANK YOU…tell Cari and Michelle I shall look forward to the sunsets and the evening strolls….and for sure BB’s outdoor shack…maybe some of Don’s Pizza, the pesto variety 🙂

    Reply
    March 11, 2013 at 3:31 am
      Casey Crookston commented

      Thanks JoAnn! The girls sure are excited to have you come down here for a visit. i wish I could be here when you come, and I know Tanner does too. You’ll have fun!

      Reply
      March 11, 2013 at 10:40 pm
    Emily Taylor commented

    When we sail we only eat at resteraunts like that, they’re great and off the beaten path from most tourists. Their BBQ is usually really good. I love the purple in the sky behind the resteraunt. Beautiful pictures, all of them.

    Reply
    March 14, 2013 at 12:41 pm
      Casey Crookston commented

      Hey Emily! I tell lots of people about your sailing adventures, probably because I’m really jealous of them. When is your next one?

      Reply
      March 18, 2013 at 1:04 am
    Ryan Johnson commented

    This was a really nice post that brings one into the moment. Very sweet, and nice to see something that doesn’t seem busy like I’m sure your lives often feel there. Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
    March 24, 2013 at 2:30 am
      Casey Crookston commented

      Thanks Ryan. And you’re right about just enjoying the moment.

      Reply
      March 24, 2013 at 4:59 pm

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