Settling In (December 2-5, 2014)

Three types of weather here: beautiful, beautiful and slightly cloudy.

Three types of weather here: beautiful, beautiful, and slightly cloudy.

We need to re-provision and get other supplies so we head back to Red Hook on St. Thomas. We grab a mooring ball and dinghy in to the marina. Simple tasks can take most of the day but I remember this from living in the Dominican Republic. First on the list is engine oil. The marina store sells it for $43 (it’s $16-17 on the US mainland). We head to K-Mart and see an empty space on the shelf where the label says $26. A store clerk says someone came in months ago and bought every bottle (why it was never restocked remains a mystery). 

Public transportation only costs $1-2 per person and consists of lots of people jammed into open-air safari vehicles.
Public transportation only costs $1-2 per person and consists of lots of people jammed into open-air safari vehicles.

 We trek to Advance Auto Parts and find it for $18. Although intellectually I know we’re on the US side, it still feels odd to see familiar stores (they are generally dingier versions of their US counterparts). Most things are very expensive, particularly food, because everything is imported. There is almost no agricultural base; tourism is the main economic force.

Three bags of groceries add up to $230. A container of liquid Tide laundry detergent is $17.
Three bags of groceries add up to $230. A container of liquid Tide laundry detergent is $17.

 

We purchase things carefully and sparingly. Beyond the prices, I am pleasantly surprised at how much organic produce is available and that they have lots of non-mainstream items (almond flour, kale chips, organic beans, etc.). My favorite coconut milk ice cream – at $12 per pint. We don’t have a freezer but maybe we’ll splurge on ice cream this Sunday.

Hmmm.... job opp? (just kidding, Case!)

Hmmm…. job opp? (just kidding, Case!)

All of our tasks take two full days. On Thursday, we motor back to St. John and moor in Francis Bay. Matt’s sister arrives late Friday night at the resort here. It will be great to see family.