Cari and Piper enjoying the sites and sounds of the beach.

Last Saturday, the 18th of February, we were planning an entire day outing to the Marigot Market in the morning and then back to Guana Beach in the afternoon.  Matt and Cecily Lew instigated the outing, and at first Cari was planning to sit this one out to study (again) but the rest of the family would have absolutely none of that.  Saturday marked eight weeks since we’d been on the island, and she had yet to ever see anything past the walk from our condo to the school.  We literally dragged her away from her books and kidnapped her into our outing.

We’re happy to report that at the end of the day, she declared she was thrilled to have come with us and delighted that we talked her into it! I’ll let the photographs do most the talking.

Oh yeah!  My camera is once again fully operational!

 

The Marigot Market
The French city of Marigot is just a short drive around the lagoon from Cupecoy where we live.  Before going there the first time I had this idea in my head that the French side probably wasn’t really all that French.  After all, the Dutch side truly isn’t all that Dutch.  Everyone on this side of the island speaks English and the US Dollar is the currency of choice.I was wrong.  The French side actually is, as it turns out, French. And I find that quite enjoyable!  It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to speak French substantially and I enjoy going over there and conversing. And also it doesn’t hurt that Marigot has an awesome outdoor market.

The produce section was incredible.  There were plants and fruits and vegetables there I’ve never seen or heard of, and every table was full of home made concoctions and brews in bottles with hand-made wrappers and labels.  Hot sauces, vanillas, mustards, cinnamon sauces… and other strange things I could only try and imagine how they must taste.About the only thing more picturesque than the items for sale were the people selling them. But they did NOT want to be photographed.  I wanted to stay and take a hundred pictures but the sight of my camera made the vendors visibly nervous.
Heading out of the fish and produce market and into the main market.
Many of the vendors sell their hand-made wood carved items.  For some reason I’m a sucker for these types of things and I have to overcome a desire to buy one of everything.
One of the few vendors who let me take his picture.  
Handmade Pinocchio marionette
 A family shot in between the harbor and the market. Fort Louis can be seen in the upper right corner.(Photo by Matt Lew)
Introducing Michelle, Carina and Piper to the wonders of Sarafina’s.

Afternoon at Guana Bay:(giving credit where it’s due, Matt Lew snapped many of these photographs w/ my camera while I was playing in the water.)
   The path leading up to Guana Bay
Playing with the fish-eye lens.  Kind of gives you a sense of how big and open this beach is.  
  Michelle, Andi and Tanner ran into the waves as soon as we arrived.
 Andi is a natural at this.  
   
  It took Tanner just a little bit longer to get the feel for boogie boarding, but once he figured out how, there was no stopping him.
   
  Once we got Carina off of the beach and into the water, it became evident where Andi acquired her innate skills at boogie boarding.Ok, so to be honest this isn’t really that hard.  But so far it seems the girls are better at it than the boys. In the picture just above, Cari caught that wave but I didn’t.
   

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COMMENTS
    Rebecca Watson commented

    Wonderful pictures! I can’t believe how much Piper has grown up. This looks like a ton of fun. Thank you for posting! =)

    Reply
    February 24, 2012 at 11:11 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Piper is growing up way too fast, which is both fun and sad. Thanks for the comments!

      Reply
      February 25, 2012 at 12:39 pm
    Lauren Holm commented

    What a fun family day! Those are the best! That water looks so incredibly amazing… we’re totally jealous of your beaches!

    Reply
    February 25, 2012 at 12:33 am
      ccrookston commented

      Thanks Lauren. I’m sure there are pro’s and con’s of both places. I could easily take some selective photographs that would make St. Martin look incredibly undesirable. But, the beaches are indeed incredible 🙂

      Reply
      February 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm
    Steven commented

    Awesome! Looks like fun and I’m glad Cari got to enjoy! Now that the camera’s working any chance you’ll post some HDR?

    Reply
    February 25, 2012 at 1:59 am
      ccrookston commented

      Very good chance indeed.

      Reply
      February 25, 2012 at 12:36 pm
    Emily Taylor commented

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE that picture of Piper all by herself walking in the water with her hands out!

    Reply
    February 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Emily, she does that hand-forward thing when something is about to happen that she doesn’t like. In this case she was saying, “NO NO NO” to the wave that was about to wash over her feet. After I took the photo she started to bawl and I had to run and pick her up.

      She’s a lot more brave around the ocean than when we first arrived, but still a ways to go.

      Reply
      February 27, 2012 at 11:37 am
    Roger commented

    Minus 20c or -4f here today. Water pipes are frozen in our garage. 5 more days. But hey who’s really counting. Me!!!

    Reply
    February 27, 2012 at 10:22 pm
      ccrookston commented

      🙂 on 5 days
      🙁 on frozen pipes

      Reply
      February 28, 2012 at 12:09 am
        Roger commented

        Pipes thawed by 6pm. We have tenants living in our garage. They had to shower at our house before going to work.

        When Sandy left for work this morning she says… “only 3 more sleeps. (this is a measuring tool we used for our kids when they were little to count down to something exciting and is still something that is used with our grandkids.)

        We leave Kamloops Friday morning and drive to Seattle. We are taking the red-eye to Atlanta. We arrive in sxm about 2:00 Saturday afternoon and are planning on heading straight for our favourite beach.

        I’ve got 2 of the 3 items you’ve asked for but one of them can’t be found in Kamloops and I have a friend in Seattle looking for the 3rd.

        Cheers

        Reply
        February 28, 2012 at 4:05 pm
    Lilia, andi's best friend ever:) commented

    Looks fun! I’m glad Carina could take a study break! Why is Andi always so good at the most random of things, from rip sticking to moving her tongue to treading water? Love you Andi!:)

    Reply
    March 25, 2012 at 7:00 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Lily!
      I’m sorry that I have not been able to respond to your comments sooner but now I will! and I don’t know if it’s me or you not on skype…? Anyway Yeah, the island is fun but needs some more adjusting on my part (and american 13 year olds!) I am not blonde by any means! if anything I feel paler here in comparison to all the tourist who are on the beach 24/7 and TAN. Home-school is alright…editing for blog purposes 🙂 like everything it has its ups and downs. Piper is SO grown up today is her b-day! 2! ahhhh so old and SO STINKIN CUTE!!!!! She can talk like no other 2yr olds buisness. Her latest obsession is the wheels on the bus ( or Round and Round) so cute and annoying at the same time :/. I miss you so much too! Sailing is fun most of the time but I know I will never get a relationship like ours was. AKA two peas in a pod, stuck like glue, the cutest bfs in South Jr. High, (me and myself had a vote but it was a tie so we brought in I who desided that we are indeed the cutest.) I am ok at the randomest things like curling, but ripsticking and boogie boarding are SO not even a little bit the same and I not GREAT at either. Say what you want my humble side wins this one 😉 and lastly….Sarafina crepes are good but so are any other options or breakfast food and brown sugar and milk is for pancakes ya dork.
      Love you!!!! Get on skype girlie!
      Andi <3

      Reply
      March 28, 2012 at 12:29 am
        Lilia, andi's best friend ever:) commented

        i am laughing hahahah!!!!! ya dork i love it! and actually you and yourself tied with me and myself so u decided:) see ya tonight!!! and u are blonder! and yes YOU ARE GREAT AT RIP STICKING YOU KIDDING ME???? 🙂 i’m not! remember my mom’s attempt?? that was great!:) 🙂 15 mins till i see you!!!!!!

        love!!!

        Reply
        March 28, 2012 at 9:46 pm

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