"Just let it happen, man!"

Friday, Susanna and I set to work catalouging and analyzing artifacts that had been collected in a surface collection on Hassel Island, off of st. Thomas before a beach sweep was going to ocurr. So, we worked in the lab all day. It was such a gorgeous day...the sun was out until about two, then a very violent storm came past around then, and was gone in 20 minutes. This is a pic of the view from the lab window. I think its the most beautiful window I have ever seen.

After work, Susanna drove me into town and I went to work creating a fun evening for myself. People here make friends very quickly because everyone is always coming and going and moving on and off the island. No one sticks around for too long, so you need to make friends with everyone. SO, I had a chance to go over to the brewing company where my friend Tim's cousin has set up his Virgin Islands Pale Ale. Damn good beer. I thought I'd introduce myself to his cousin (you always want to know the brewers in town!) but he wasn't there. So, I had a beer. I was the only girl in the bar and soon all the fellows in the construction company (joe, and travis...who is friends with Susanna and Ronnie) were showing me on the map I carry around all the best places to snorkel and they bought another round. Austin, the bartender filled me in on the island music scene and invited me to a reggae show on the beach in two weeks (I'm THERE!). I've decided that I am meeting all the right people.

But I was hungry, and the brew pub does not have food. No problem....I went back to beach bar and ordered a sandwich. Of coarse, single girl at the bar gets some looks and an intoxicted gentleman asked if I wanted to play Connect 4. He wasn't being dirty, very serious as he had the game in his hands. Sure, I'll play Connect 4. I kicked his ass three times and he whooped mine twice. Then we teamed up to play a couple down the bar. Had my sandwich and moved on.

As I was getting ready to figure out how to hitch back to the campground, I ran into John who works at the surf shack right on the Cinnamon Beach. John has gorgeous dreds and access to all the boats and kyaks, so of coarse I must befriend this fellow too. We had a beer before some of his friends came along and, hurray, they were going back to Maho, relieving me of the need to hitch. That was a totally normal night.

Today, I got up and 'cleaned my tent'. I went for another hike, ate a peanut butter and jelly (I'm out of granola bars...this week its peanut butter. Good thing I love peanut butter).

Went to the beach.

Perfect beach day. Then, I decided to hitch into town again to meet Kourtney's boyfriend who is visiting. Man, did I pick the RIGHT vehicle! There was a gentleman leaving Cinnamon in a rusty, old hatchbacked jeep with his daughter and son-in-law who were visiting and they were happy to give me a ride when I asked. However, this was a tour guide too....just 200 feet down the road he said "hang on" and we went off-roading into the woods. He took us to another set of ruins where they do drum circles on a full moon and pointed out every mango and lime tree along the way. These were super nice folks and I am amazed by the warmth and hospitality of everyone here so far. I saw my first wild cows and donkeys rambling around this dirt road. And a flock of chickens.

Notice the ice scraper on his windshield. When I asked him what it was for, he said "its a reminder of why I am here....". Good thinking. I dont remember this fella's name, but I shall call him Wild Bill.

Today's song goes out to my surf shack guys Carl and John who have really been looking out for me. They are really living the surf life...rambling from island to island, boat to boat. They play the guitar and sleep on boats and beaches. "Let me Be (free)" by Xavier Rudd. Thanks guys :)