Deliciously Dark & Tasty! SXM Sint Maarten

It’s gooey. It resembles tar. It smells wonderfully sweet and coopery. It tickles the tongue with a sweet, almost tangy taste.  It’s a distinct, yet almost indescribable flavor. It’s a key ingredient in many holiday treats. Molasses!

The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word ‘melaco’, which is ultimately derived from ‘mel’, the Latin word for honey. But make no mistake. This is not honey. It’s a far cry from honey, in fact.  Molasses is a great substitute for honey and even maple syrup. Molasses comes, mostly, from sugar cane. The process of creating molasses actually led to the discovery of rum! But that’s a whole other story! Let’s stick to the deliciously dark wonders of molasses.

The pressing of cane to produce cane juice and then boiling the juice until it crystallized was developed in India as early as 500 B.C. However, it was slow to move to the rest of the world. In the Middle Ages, Arab invaders brought the process to Spain. A century or so later, Christopher Columbus brought sugar cane to the West Indies. Another two hundred years later, sugar cane cuttings were planted in New Orleans. Molasses figured prominently in the infamous slave trade triangles of the late seventeenth century. English rum was sold to African slave traders who brought slaves to the West Indies and then brought West Indian molasses back to England.

In the sugar cane processing plant, extraction can be done in one of two ways: diffusion or milling. The sugar cane stalks are loaded onto conveyer belts and subjected to hot water sprays to remove dirt and other field debris. Then, they are passed under rotating knife blades that cut the stalk into short pieces or shreds. By the diffusion method, the cut stalks are dissolved in hot water or lime juice. In the milling process, the stalks are passed under several successive heavy rollers, which squeeze the juice out of the cane pulps. Water is sprayed throughout the process to facilitate the dissolving of the juice.  Locals and many visitors to the Caribbean and other islands have long enjoyed the taste of fresh sugar cane juice made by a hand turned mill or press. Just imagine that on a larger scale. Before the creation of harvesting machinery, laborers performed the back-breaking work of cutting and stripping the sugarcane by hand. Mule-driven mills pressed the sugar cane to release the syrup, which was then cooked in large kettles over a fire until thickened.  

The extracted juice is clarified by adding milk of lime and carbon dioxide. Hold on…what is ‘milk of lime’, you ask? It may not be what you’re thinking. Milk of lime is used in the clarification process. Essentially burnt limestone rock, it is produced in the factory by heating lime rock in a super heated over or kiln. The lime rock is then mixed with sweet water—a byproduct of a previous clarification process. Carbon dioxide is released in the lime milk process. It is purified in tanks and also used in to clarify the sugar juice.  The juice is piped into a decanter, heated and mixed with lime. The juice passes through carbon filters, producing a mud-like substance. Called carb juice, this mud is pumped through a heater and then to a clarifying machine. Here the mud settles to the bottom and the clear juice is piped to yet another heater and treated again with carbon dioxide. Once again the mud is filtered out, leaving a pale yellow liquid called thin juice. The juice is pumped into an evaporator that boils the juice until the water dissipates and the syrup remains. The syrup is concentrated through several stages of vacuum boiling, a low temperature boil to avoid scorching the syrup. Eventually, the sugar crystallizes out of the syrup, creating a substance called massecuite. The massecuite is poured into a centrifuge to further separate the raw sugar crystals from the syrup. In the centrifuge, the sugar crystals fall away from the syrup that is being spun at a significant force. This remaining syrup is molasses, and it is forced out through holes in the centrifuge. The molasses is piped to large storage tanks. It is then pumped, as needed, to the bottling machine where pre-measured amounts of molasses are poured into bottles moving along a conveyer belt.

Crazy molasses fact: The Great Boston Molasses Tragedy!*

THE DATE was January 15, 1919, a Wednesday. It was about half-past noon. In Boston's industrial North End, folks were going about their business as usual. Only one small detail seemed out of the ordinary, and that was the temperature — unseasonably warm, in the mid-40s, up from a frigid two degrees above zero just three days before. The sudden thaw had lifted everyone's spirits. To anyone who was out on the street that day, it scarcely seemed a harbinger of disaster. But trouble was brewing fifty feet above street level in the form of a cast-iron tank containing two-and-a-half million gallons of crude molasses. The molasses, owned by the United States Industrial Alcohol Company, was slated to be made into rum, but this particular batch would never make it to the distillery. At about 12:40 p.m. the giant tank ruptured, emptying its entire contents into Commercial Street in the space of a few seconds. The result was nothing less a flash flood consisting of millions of gallons of sweet, sticky, deadly goo. The Boston Evening Globe published a description based on eyewitness accounts later that day:

Fragments of the great tank were thrown into the air, buildings in the neighborhood began to crumple up as though the underpinnings had been pulled away from under them, and scores of people in the various buildings were buried in the ruins, some dead and others badly injured. The explosion came without the slightest warning. The workmen were at their noontime meal, some eating in the building or just outside, and many of the men in the Department of Public Works Buildings and stables, which are close by, and where many were injured badly, were away at lunch. Once the low, rumbling sound was heard no one had a chance to escape. The buildings seemed to cringe up as though they were made of pasteboard.

The bulk of the devastation was caused by a "wall of molasses" at least eight feet high — 15, according to some bystanders — which rushed through the streets at a speed of 35 miles per hour. It demolished entire buildings, literally ripping them off their foundations. It upended vehicles and buried horses. People tried to outrun the torrent, but were overtaken and either hurled against solid objects or drowned where they fell. More than 150 people were injured. 21 were killed.

The story  isn't an urban legend per se, though there is a longstanding folk belief associated with it: On hot, summer days in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, they say, a faint, sickeningly-sweet odor wafts up from cracks in the pavement — the stench of 85-year-old molasses....

*{Story courtesy of http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/historical/a/molasses_flood.htm}

What ever happened to Manners? SXM Sint Maarten

I am trying to ask this politely as, lately, I’m seeing less and less manners and common courtesy on our little rock. I recently went to the movie and was sorely reminded as to why I don’t go that often. People have gotten so rude and discourteous. I had the distinct displeasure of having 2 young women (I refuse to call them ladies) sit directly behind me and began chatting throughout the entire movie. Added insult was the constant kicking to the back of my chair. Now, I realize it’s only $6 to go to the movies, but what gave these women the impression that their $6 was more important than mine? They were asked, rather patiently, by other patrons to stop talking. After the 3^rd request, one woman’s cell phone began ringing. Seriously? After enduring about 2 minutes of the phone conversation, I then lost my patients and told her to shut up. I received as response a loud teeth suck. Wonderful. Such charm. There is no such thing as a ‘good’ movie experience on this island.  Another couple, sitting in my row was just as annoying, as the young woman kept constantly complaining as to how cold it was in the movie. True, it was cold, but does a constant stream of complaints change the situation? Either get up and alert the Cinema staff or close your mouth. Besides the incessant giggling of the 2 woman and the complaining woman, add into the mix the unsupervised children rampaging about the theater. Again: SERIOUSLY? Where are their parents? Could the parents be watching the G rated movie while their kids are wandering through R rated movies? Again, is my money not worth as much as their money? Do I not have the same rights to get what I paid for? I did not pay to attend a daycare. If you can’t get a sitter for your kids, don’t go out. It’s rather simple. Children require making sacrifices, but not at other people’s expense. And where were the staff of the cinema? Shouldn’t the doors of the theaters be monitored? As for the ‘adults’ in the movies: respect the others around. Everyone paid to see a movie and enjoy themselves. Who are you to ruin someone else’s experience? Who are you to believe you are more important, that your money is worth more. If you can’t keep you mouth shut and your phone off, rent a DVD.

What is a mega yacht? SXM Sint Maarten

People move to the railing, eyes wide, cameras at the ready. Slowly they come, moving forward cautiously through the narrow channel. Oohs and Ahhs can be heard as first one, then another maneuver through the bridge. Cameras go off, people cheer and applaud. It can be consider a national past time in St. Maarten to gather at the Simpson Bay Bridge at 5:3O to raise a glass, daily, to the villas of the sea. The Mega Yachts are back!

Each November marks the beginning of High Season in the Caribbean. The rich, famous and infamous flock to our sandy, sun kissed shores to play in the emerald and indigo waves and to enjoy the wonderful Caribbean climate. Fresh from the Mediterranean summer season, they come on their yachts. Not just any yachts but MEGA yachts.

So what defines a mega yacht? The name ‘mega yacht’ started showing up around the beginning of the 20th century when the super rich began constructing large private yachts for personal pleasure. Examples of early luxury motor yachts include the Cox & King yachts, M/Y (motor yacht) Christina O and M/Y Savarona. Early luxury sailing yachts include Americas Cup classic J class racers like S/Y (sailing yacht) Endeavour and Sir Thomas Lipton's S/Y Shamrock.

There are several different explanations/definitions for mega yacht. Some people consider a boat to be a mega yacht by length, of displacement, or of cost, but it depends on who you talk to. One thing most people seem to agree on is that yacht can be classified as ‘mega’ based on size. Generally any yacht over one hundred feet in length and made with high standards and top quality materials. That’s the simplest way to begin describing a mega yacht. From there, the definitions get a little watery, but there are still general ‘facts’ that qualify yachts as ‘mega’.

Mega yachts are usually privately owned. Some are used exclusively by their private owners, while others are operated part-time or year-round as charter businesses. A large private yacht charter can range from a few tens of thousands of dollars to nearly over a million dollars for one week.  For these high fees, you get a unique experience unlike any other. These yachts are often referred to as floating villas or homes.  Just about anything you can imagine can be found on a ‘mega’, depending on the size of the vessel. What you find onboard these yachts can blow the mind away: helicopters, swimming pools, spas, basketball courts, movie theaters, concert halls, floating golf courses; what an owner decides to put on board is limited only by their imagination. These floating villas also have the advantage of taking passengers to destinations otherwise unreachable by any other means. Mega yachts typically have no real home port, although a yacht must be registered in a port of the country of which it flies the flag. Many times the yacht will have never been to the port!

More recently, over the last decade or two, there has been an increase in the number and popularity of large private luxury yachts, over 24 metres. The number of very large yachts has increased rapidly since the 1990s and increasingly only yachts above around 65 metres (213 ft) stand out among other luxury yachts. Yachts of this size are almost always built to individual commissions and cost tens of millions of dollars! And believe it or not, most super-yachts cost far more than their owners' homes on land, even though those homes are likely to be among the largest and most desirable. Makes it no surprise the owners book charters. Have to pay for those Megas!

As the world's wealthiest compete to keep up with one another, large private yachts are reaching colossal size. Many yacht builders are taking orders for super large mega boats well over 400 feet, 122 meters. Wherever you look today, yachts are straining to escape the bounds of gravity and even at times credibility, and as we try to wrap our minds around these trends, the word that comes to mind isn't super, or mega, but GIGA! These private giants of the seas have begun resembling cruise ships in miniature. A giga yacht is a vessel of 1OO metres of more. That’s over 328 feet! It boggles the mind! Though still fairly rare, giga yachts are getting to be a more common sight. The very largest yachts have begun to incorporate such features as helicopter hangars, indoor swimming pools and even miniature submarines!

What in the name of the High Seas is going on in the yachting world? Big yachts getting bigger-so big they're housing submarines? Big yachts looking like small yachts-enormous versions of what are essentially open and express cruisers. Yards and builders are getting bigger. Heck, even owners are getting bigger, with larger-than-life characters that span the spectrum from American and Arab and Russian and Chinese. Big yachts are getting bigger. I’m not just talking about size, but the price tag gets bigger as well! When you go from 150 feet to 300 feet, it is not twice the yacht, but closer to six times as large in terms of interior volume, tonnage, complexity and cost.

St. Maarten’s waters were recently graced by the one of, if not THE most expensive yacht in the world. The yacht ‘A’, which some said resembled everything from a capsized cruise ship to a submarine, has a price tag of $3OO million dollars. No, that is not a typo. That’s right! The "A" was designed by French architect Philippe Starck and Martin Francis, and built at the Blohm + Voss shipbuilding yard in Hamburg, Germany. It is owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. The yacht includes, among other things: a disco, several pools, lots of Baccarat crystal, a love nook, a helipad and state of the art security. A's trimmings also include six guest suites with moving walls to create four larger suites, each with a stainless-steel whirlpool bath. The master bedroom, located at the top of the watchtower, contains an enormous bed that rotates on a turntable for a panoramic view out all the windows. A also has a hovercraft, a garage, over 100 audio speakers, and more than a dozen plasma TV screens, many of which can be mistaken for mirrors. A's indoors include doors unlocked by electronic finger pads, spotlights, and motion sensors! Ok, take a moment to catch your breath!

Though, for most of us, owning a mega/giga yacht is the stuff of dreams and fantasies, we can still look out our windows and gaze upon them on a nearly daily basis, every high season, letting out dreams set sail on the seas!

The Caribbean Iguana SXM Sint Maarten

You’ve seen them everywhere. Darting among the bushes, high up in the trees or sunning themselves on your neighbor’s roof. Iguanas! Lovely iguanas ranging in color from vibrant green to even orange! Iguanas look like a missing link to the dinosaur age or like something out of a Medieval story about dragons. They may not breathe fire, but they can pack a punch if cornered. How much do you know about this Caribbean icon?

One of the most surprising things about iguanas is their extensive range. Their habit extends from Mexico all the down to Paraguay and Southern Brazil and, of course, the Caribbean. Scientists believe that these clever creatures have hitched rides on boats over the years, extending their range slowly but surely. Think of them as a lizard of the High Seas!

Iguanas live in tropical rainforest areas, generally in lower altitudes in areas near water sources, such as rivers or streams. In South American and Central America, they spend most of their time high in the forest canopy, about 40-50 feet above the ground. However, the iguana can adapt to nearly any area, as long as there is plenty of food to be found. Iguanas are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and meat. They tend to eat mostly plants, though, especially leaves and fruits. Sometimes young iguanas will eat eggs, insects, and tiny animals, like other lizards. Both male and female iguanas can store fat under their jaws and in their necks for times when there is not much food available. Depending on how much food there is to be had, iguanas can range in size anywhere from six inches to a whooping six feet and eighteen pounds! In some areas of Brazil there have been recorded accounts of iguanas reaching seven feet! Not something you want to tangle with. Keep in mind the overall length does include the tail, which can be as long, if not longer than the body of the lizard. Though the Caribbean iguana is often referred to as the green iguana, it actually comes in a variety of shades. Many green iguanas have green coloring with black tiger stripes. Their body color can range from vibrant green to a grayish green. On St. Maarten/St. Martin bright orange iguanas have been spotted on the French side!

The wonderful color variations of the iguana allow it to hide in the trees, keeping safe from predators. They also have some great adaptations that keep them ahead of anything that may want to hunt them. They have long fingers and claws, five fingers on each ‘hand’. This adaptation, combined with great sense of smell and hearing and superior sight, allows iguanas to travel through the tree tops with surprising speed. They also use the tail as a defense weapon. The tail has a pretty sharp edge and can be used like a whip, swiping at an attacker just like Indiana Jones. The tail can also break off, without a lot of trouble to the lizard, and will grow back in time. If they are spotted by a predator and need to escape quickly, iguanas can dive from trees into water, and swim well. Green iguanas are quite sturdy-- they can fall 40-50 feet to the ground without getting hurt!

Like most reptiles, iguanas are cold blooded. This means they need the warmth of the sun to regulate body temperature. They don’t produce their own body heat. When the weather is cool or cold, so is the iguana. So, the best way for them to keep warm is sunbathing. The favorite past time of any iguana is lying on a warm rock, soaking up the rays of the sun, just like tourists!

Iguanas tend to live solitary lives, but may be seen in groups occasionally in good sunny basking spots. Several areas on St. Maarten host dozens of lizards.  As for making baby iguanas, iguanas lay many eggs at one time, some times fifty in one clutch, in holes in the ground called burrows. These intelligent reptiles also dig pretend burrows to confuse any animals that may be looking for eggs to eat. After female iguanas lay the eggs, they leave them and do not return. It takes green iguana eggs about 8-10 weeks to hatch, then takes baby iguanas about 2 years to become mature adults. When iguana babies hatch, they grow up without care from their parents. Even though a female can lay many eggs, sadly only 3-10 babies actually survive to be adults.

The iguana is threatened by habitat destruction. The green iguana is listed as threatened and on CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention. The main cause is destruction of the rain forests and demands of the wildlife and pet trade. Many people in the United States and elsewhere want an iguana for a pet, so there is a big demand for their capture. Although many pet iguanas are now being raised on iguana farms, capture from the wild has lowered their numbers. Now there are captive farming operations, based in the country of origin and designed strictly for breeding iguanas as pets. Still, this may have a negative effect on the genetic diversity of the species, as they are being mass-produced. As iguanas are bred in a captive area, they lose their phenotypic and genetic diversity, as cattle do when they are raised on a farm. In attempts to conserve this species, exporters and importers of iguanas are required to obtain permits to move them across country borders. However, once they are in the United States, it is legal for someone to buy them. The pet trade industry has put a great demand on the iguana; 800,000 iguanas were imported into the U.S. in just one year. Sadly, most captive pet iguanas don’t live more than one year, while wild iguanas have a life span of nearly twenty years.

Many people are trying to develop protected areas for the iguanas, and to educate local populations about the importance of conservation. Some of these educational programs help local populations find new ways of using the land, without permanently destroying it. For example, for people who want to continue to eat iguana, programs are being developed to raise these animals for food, instead of hunting wild ones. Iguanas are hunted for meat in the tropics, however this does not seem to have much effect on numbers. Iguana meat is less commonly eaten because it is considered a low class food in most areas, but some indigenous people may depend heavily on it. In Central America, where iguana meat is frequently consumed, iguanas are referred to as "bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees." Iguana eggs are sold as a novelty food. They are boiled in salt water and sold at more than twice the price of chicken eggs by weight.

So the next time you see an iguana, take a moment to admire this dinosaur from another time. Appreciate this intelligent creature and smile if you happen to see one hanging around in the tree outside your bedroom window.

Tracing Your Roots - SXM Sint Maarten

It’s a question we ask ourselves many times over the course of our lives: Where does my family come from?  Many of us have wondered about our ancestors and who they were, what they did. One of the most popular hobbies around the world today is genealogy – the study of family history. Discovering your family history is a great and exciting pastime, and with the explosion in resources available, especially the Internet, you can easily find several generations of ancestors. You may surprised what you find!

Tracing your ancestral history is a project just like any other; you should come up with a good plan before you set out searching for information. Without a solid plan, it can be all too easy to get overwhelmed and lost in the huge amounts of information you are sure to come across during your search. Set up an area in your home that can be used while you do your research. A quiet little place where you can store information you find and make notes of your own. A busy kitchen table is not the best place for this adventure.

The first step on your journey into your family’s past is to write down information you already know. Start with yourself. Put down as much information about yourself that you can, regardless of how trivial a piece of information seems. Then list the names of your parents, your grandparents, etc., writing down everything you know about them as well. Official documents are a great asset, if you have them, such as certificates for births, deaths, and marriages as well. Even if you don’t have the actual documents, any time, place and dates can be very useful. Don’t stress out about verifying information just yet. This is just your first step! Now, that wasn’t so painful, was it? You have just completed the first step down the path of your family’s history. You are now ready to move on!

The next step in this process is to gather information from your family members. The best and simplest way to do that is to just simply ask them! This will involve your natural curiosity, as well as some basic interviewing techniques. Your goal is to find out as much information as possible, and knowing how to do this can be helpful. Here are some pointers to help you find out the facts and stories you know are out there just waiting to be uncovered.

Ask the person you wish to interview if they want to talk about the family history. Though the majority of family members will most likely be delighted to speak with you, there may be a few relatives who will be uncooperative or downright hostile. By their nature, family stories are quite personal, and not everyone wishes to share them. Respect that.  Start with a question or subject that will get a complete response, such as a story that you’ve heard the person relate before. You can start off by saying for example: “Tell me about that time you an Uncle Rick went moose hunting…” Avoid general questions, like “Tell me about your school years.” Ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Have an idea what direction you would like to go in your questioning, but don’t be dismayed if the person you are interviewing heads down another road. You might get some details you hadn’t anticipated. Again any and all information is important. Using props like photographs and scrapbooks can help to stimulate a response to your questions. Take notes, or preferably, tape record your interviews. Soon after your interviews, write a note of thanks to those whom you interviewed. People like to feel appreciated and many members of your family will certainly be interested in your results.

Now that you have written down what you already know, and have started interviewing family members regarding what they know, it is time to move on to another phase of family history research. This is a step you can do without having to leave your own home! Take a look around your house (or your parents’ or grandparents’ if you need to), and see what family records may be available. These records can be treasure troves of information for the family history researcher. The first place most people think to look is at the family Bible, which has been a traditional place for families to record births, deaths, and marriages. You may also find obituaries and newspaper clippings tucked into the pages. Some of the other types of records you may find include: Birth Records. It is unlikely that you will find a birth certificate for anyone born before 1920. Other potential sources of birth information include baptismal records, school records, letters, diaries, birth announcements, and baby books. Marriage Records. Marriage licenses or certificates are frequently found in a family’s records. They will at least record the names of the couple being married. However, many of them record birth places and parents’ names as well. Other sources for marriage information include newspaper announcements and family Bible records. Death Records. Death certificates are often located with the family papers. These generally have the information regarding the date and place of death, as well as the deceased’s parents’ names. You may also find death information in newspaper obituaries, legal notices, letters, and again, the family Bible. There are numerous other sources of pertinent family history information you might find at home. Passports, military discharge papers, photographs, land records, business transactions, legal records, and wills are all potential sources of the information you need to unravel the mysteries of your family’s history.

Discovering your family’s history is a wonderful pastime, but it shouldn’t seem like a daunting task. Once you record what you and your family already know, and uncover records that may be sitting under your nose at home, you will be well on your way to a lifetime of celebrating your family’s past, enjoying its present, and recording it for the future.

The History of Halloween - SXM Sint Maarten

The rattle of old chains, the creaking of a door…..Who’s there? The low moan of the wind through cracks…..was it really the wind? A black cat darts out from behind a spooky looking house…It’s Halloween people! It’s the time of year that kids and grown-ups alike go out and have a good time. Everything from Trick or Treating for the kids to parties for the ‘bigger’ kids makes Halloween a great time of year. It’s also looked at as the 1^st unofficial party of high season. But what’s the history behind this spooky day? What do pumpkins, costumes and trick of treating have to do with it? What does it really celebrate?

The word itself, ‘Halloween’, actually comes from the Catholic Church. It’s a combination of the phrases ‘All Hallows Eve’, which was originally on November 1^st and ‘All Saints Day’, which is when the Catholic Church honors the saints. But the origins of Halloween go back a whole heck of a lot further than the Catholic Church! In the 5^th century BC, Celtics in Ireland celebrated the end of summer, which was marked as October 31^st. This day was called Samhain, which is pronounced Sow-en. This was seen as the Celtic New Year.  The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honored and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm. No one wanted an evil spirit in their house!

Many other cultures besides the Celts and Catholics adopted the celebration of summers end. In the 1st century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which may just explain the origin of the modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

In Greek mythology, goddesses of the underworld, Hecate and Medusa, were often used to invoke the Samhain. Popular Hecate was the most favored goddess by Zeus, and wandered the emptiness between the worlds of life and death looking for souls of the dead. Both were considered serpent goddesses, and their ancient dark legends spawned myths such as vampires, who fed off the living using venom and snake-like fangs. Today, Hecate is often referred to as the goddess of witches.

Halloween in Scotland and Ireland had a strong tradition of "guising" — Scottish and Irish children disguised in costumes going from door to door requesting food or coins.  Another 9^th Century tradition called ‘Souling’, which was done on All Souls Day, involved early Christians walking from village to village begging for ‘soul cakes’. Soul Cakes were made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. Both these traditions can be seen as the beginning of Trick or Treating! The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of trick, like sing a song or tell a spooky ghost story, to earn their treats.

Now, what about pumpkins, or Jack-o-lanterns as they are called? The Jack-o-lantern custom comes from Irish folklore. The story makes for a great ghost story on any occasion, but especially Halloween. The story is called "Stingy Jack."

According to the story, Stingy Jack, an Irish blacksmith and notorious drunk, had the great misfortune to run into the Devil in a pub. Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a sixpence that Jack could use to buy their drinks in exchange for Jack's soul. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack and not try to claim his soul for ten years. When the ten years had passed, Jack ran into the Devil as he walked down a country road. The Devil was anxious to claim what was due but Jack stalled. Jack thought quickly and said to the devil. "I'll go, but before I go, will you get me an apple from that tree?" The Devil thinking he had nothing to lose climbed the tree as Jack pointed to the choicest apple. Perturbed, the Devil climbed high into the tree after the apple Jack selected. When he was high up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down. Jack, very proud of himself made the Devil promise to never again ask him for his soul. Seeing no other choice the Devil reluctantly agreed. Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. Being unable to go to heaven or hell Jack asked the Devil where he should go. The Devil only replied, "Back where you came from!" The way back was very dark so Jack begged the Devil to at least give him a light to find his way. The Devil tossed Jack burning coal from the fire of hell to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."^[1]  This is why the Irish used turnips as their "Jack's lanterns" originally. When the immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were far more plentiful than turnips. So the Jack-O-Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.

There are quite a few games that are traditional to Halloween. Apples play a large part in these games. One common game is dunking or apple bobbing, in which apples float in a tub or a large basin of water and the participants must use their teeth to remove an apple from the basin. A variant of dunking involves kneeling on a chair, holding a fork between the teeth and trying to drop the fork into an apple. Some games traditionally played at Halloween are forms of divination. A traditional Scottish form of divining one's future spouse is to carve an apple in one long strip, then toss the peel over one's shoulder. The peel is believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the future spouse's name.

Today many cultures have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday". The day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. And today, even many churches have Halloween parties or pumpkin carving events for the kids. After all, the day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it. So to all kids, big and small: Have fun, go trick or treating and be safe. Happy Halloween!

[1] – www.hauntedbay.com

Travel Tips for the Holidays

High Season is upon us and, for many of us, it means traveling. Some times traveling leads to long flights, long layovers and a generally unpleasant experience. It doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible and some help for those long layovers.

Being familiar with your final destination is a big part to making a better travel experience. Double-check foreign document requirements. Some countries require a visa for entry; others, like South Africa, won’t allow entrance unless a traveler’s passport contains at least two blank, unstamped pages. You need to be aware of such requirements before you make your flight reservations or you could get stuck!

Staying healthy is another big part of traveling and enjoying your trip to the fullest. Be aware of any health issues or vaccination requirements in countries you are traveling to. If you need any immunizations or vaccinations, see your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots. Discuss your trip with your doctor and your doctor can decide whether you need any vaccines. The vaccines you got when you were a child also may need to be updated if you are not fully protected. Vaccines that you may need include the following: Hepatitis A or hepatitis A immune globulin, Hepatitis B, Influenza (the flu), Japanese encephalitis, Measles-mumps-rubella, Meningococcal meningitis, Pneumococcal, Polio, Rabies, Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, Typhoid fever, Chickenpox and Yellow fever. Find out what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you're in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Wear a medical information bracelet if needed.

When you arrive at the airport, be responsible for your own luggage. Set your luggage apart from others so it’s easy to identify. A big mistake most passengers make is to use ribbons and bows on their suitcases. This is a bad idea simply because they can be torn off in the transporting process. Buy a suitcase in an unusual color, such as bright blue. You can even consider painting a pattern on to your luggage using fabric paint or other materials.

Make life easier for yourself and others when it comes to the mandatory security check. If it’s your first time traveling, ask a customs agent for assistance. You can even watch the people ahead of you to see what is needed from you. Don’t wait until it’s your turn in line before removing your shoes, belt and all other metallic items, including jewelry from your person. Check the do’s and don’t list that’s provided by every airline for what is and isn’t allowed in carry-on luggage. Keep from getting stalled in security and losing innocent (but sharp) items you forgot were in your bag―hello, nail scissors or wine opener! Also, pack your electronics in a single layer. When things are tossed in haphazardly or jumbled together, more time is spent determining what they are from the X-ray and bags have to be manually checked.

When it comes to carry-on luggage, make sure they meet the requirements of the airline carrier and pack things that you’ll need for any layovers or unexpected delays. Be considerate to your fellow travelers. Blocking the aisle during boarding while you dig for gum, a book, or a snack can delay the entire plane. Pack small must-haves in a re-sealable gallon-size bag that you can toss onto the seat while you put away everything else.

What can you do about jet lag? Jet lag is another bane to the traveler. There are a few sure fired methods to help you through. Get plenty of sleep before you leave. Don't drink a lot of alcohol. Eat well-balanced meals. Avoid overeating. Exercise as much as you can on your trip. Use sleep medicines for only a few days. Get used to a new time zone by going along with the local meal and bedtime schedules.

Then there is the dreaded layover….For most travelers, layovers are a painfully boring delay in an already arduous travel experience, and are often unavoidable. Plan your layover right and you can at least make them a little more bearable. Research the layover airport. Find out if there are restaurants, shops, or other activities. Some have theaters, museums, gyms, or play areas for the kids. Check out the airport website for information. If there's a map, print it and mark what you want to see when you get there. Be prepared for whatever activities that interests you. Minimize your carry-on luggage as it will only weigh you down. Aside from that, you might have a problem with security, exiting the airport as well as returning.

Bring something to read. A good read is one of the best ways to pass the time. Having your own book means you're not limited to the selection at the airport. Also, just washing your hands and face can wake you up and make you feel a lot better. Take a walk to get your blood flowing. If you are between one long flight and another, walk around the airport and restore circulation to your legs. You can window-shop, read billboards, watch airplanes, or simply look around. Get some fresh air if you can. Exercise will help you relax and provide you with an energy boost so you can get through the rest of your trip. Get a meal, drink or snack. A meal will give you energy, and it will taste better and likely cost less on the ground than it would in the air. It's wise to keep hydrated when you're flying somewhere, too. Another great thing to pass the time is to people watch. Airports have lots of people to watch. Have a seat in a public area and see what other travelers are doing. You can also check out the Internet while waiting for the next plane or get some work done. Bring your laptop with you as some airports offer free wireless Internet throughout.

Don't be afraid to leave the airport if you have a 5 hour+ layover. But for international travel, make sure you double check visa requirements before traveling. Depending on your citizenship, there are many countries that will allow you to acquire a visa at the airport or allow access even though you don't have a visa, but before planning a nice 7 hour layover, be aware that some countries may not grant you a visa at the airport. If you have friends or family in the layover city, ask them to pick you up or meet you at the airport if you have time. A layover is a good opportunity to catch up with someone you haven’t seen in a while.

Though traveling for High Season may be unavoidable, having the best experience possible is not. Use these tips to make any travel experience a good one!

Riding the Waves - SXM Sint Maarten

The ocean can be heard long before it’s seen. The wind is gusting; you can smell the salt in the air as you near the beach. You step into the sand as it dances around your feet, tickling your toes. The sea is rising up and rushing forward to greet you. The waves are pounding, calling out to you. You shift your surf board out from under your arm and charge forward, board in front, grinning from ear to ear.

As those of us who live here know, St. Maarten/St. Martin is graced with thirty six beaches. It’s hard not to know that, it’s mentioned in just about every publication about this island! What few people know is that this little island is a surfer’s secret.  There are a few places in St. Maarten/ St. Martin that rank as world class surf. When there’s a storm nearby and the waves start building you begin spotting the surfers. You see them loping along the roads, boards tucked under their arms, or strapped to the back of a bicycle or to the roof of a car. And many of us ‘not in the know’ often find ourselves thinking: Where are they heading to?

There are many, many places, but here are a few. Some places seem obvious and make sense. Mullet Bay is one. This beach has surf that’s actually considered decent surf for beginners. Now, I have seen Mullet Bay with waves well over ten feet and can’t imagine a ‘beginner’ paddling out into that kind of surf. But maybe that’s why I don’t surf! Mullet has been described as having a fun take off, but a short wave. Another favorite feature of Mullet Bay is that the bottom is mostly sand, making it a little easier on anyone who wipes out.

The chilled out beach of Le Galion is surrounded by a coral reef that serves as a protection, providing calm and shallow waters to Le Galion. It’s on the outside of the reef where the surf really kicks up. Just be aware that paddling out to the surf is a long way to go. If you’re lucky enough you can catch a ride out to the reef and surf your little heart out. Otherwise you’re looking on a twenty plus minute paddle, depending on what shape you’re in. The surf at Le Galion has been ranked from intermediate to advanced. It’s tricky on big days and the reef can be rather unforgiving for anyone unfortunate enough to wipe out.

Then there is Wilderness. We’ve all heard about it and some of us who don’t surf have even been brave enough to venture out to Wilderness. It suits its name, truly being out of the way and ‘in the wilderness’. The way to get to Wilderness is a little tricky and you’d better be prepared to walk/hike a little bit. This spot is on the French side, all the way to the north. The best landmark, strangely enough, is the dump. Park your car at the dump and, as always, lock it up tight and don’t leave anything in it. Travel light – it’s the best way, and bring lots of water! Wilderness is just that – WILD. There is nothing out there. Nothing will ruin a great day of surfing like dehydration and/or hunger. There is a trail leading from the north side of the beach out along a point and then west to the surf spot. Take the trail for about 15 to 20 minutes until you see the waves breaking to your right. There is a surf shack on the beach made of driftwood and whatnot, that’s maintained by many of the locals that surf there. As you you’re your way into the water be careful of the sea urchins. Wilderness is a favorite of locals! Many local surfers recommend the spot. The surf here would be best suited for intermediate and advanced.

Last but not least is Guana Bay. This is another beach that gets great recommendations, but it’s also known to be one of the more dangerous beaches. Not for reefs, but for powerful rip currents. It’s generally a deserted beach. If you see more than eight people on the beach, it’s considered a busy day! On heavy days, which is almost always, this surf spot should be considered by advanced surfers only.

As in any situation when you are surfing, safety is something you have got to keep in mind. The ocean is powerful and can be unforgiving. Several things that surfers have to deal with are reef rash, Jellyfish and Sea Lice. None of these things are very pleasant, but there are ways to treat each one, should you have a nasty encounter.

Sea Lice, or what’s some times called Seabather's eruption, is an itchy rash caused by the larva of a jellyfish. The tiny larvae push their poisons into the skin, causing rash that can pop up four to twenty four hours after you’ve come in contact with it. The rash tends to show up where the larvae can become trapped against the skin, such as under the bathing suit or under long hair. Symptoms can be mild to sever and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, muscle spasms, low-grade fever, and headaches can accompany the rash.  A simple hydrocortisone cream and an anti-histamine usually helps clear up the rash and take care of the discomfort. The rash usually goes away in about a week.

Whether you are out in the deep blue depths or up near the shore line, there is a very real chance a jellyfish will find you. Here are a couple ‘home remedies’ for the sting. Cover the sting with sand from the beach as soon as the sting occurs. Beach sand helps draw out toxins from jellyfish stings. Keep the sting covered for around five to ten minutes. Another treatment is to wash the site with apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar will help reduce the pain from the sting and will also disinfect it. Rub aloe gel onto the jellyfish sting after washing it with apple cider vinegar. This will soothe the sting and provide a nice barrier to the outside world. Once you've applied the aloe gel, loosely cover the sting in gauze tape and secure it. A common remedy used by many life guards is to apply a paste made of unseasoned meat tenderizer and water to the sting.

Last but defiantly not least is Reef Rash….the bane of all surfers. If you have the distinct displeasure of wiping out into coral you’re going to get reef rash and even the mildest of cases is not pretty. When you rub against a coral reef with bare skin, the coral's stinging cells fire toxin into the scratched skin. This causes burning pain or itchy welts around the scratch. Vinegar or alcohol is usually the first thing that gets used and seems to help with the sting. The worst part is to wash the rash site as soon as possible, scrubbing it to get any debris out. It’s the most painful part, but also the most important! People involved in water sports have been known to carry new toothbrushes in their First Aid kits to use just to clean reef rash. It can take several weeks for the scrape to heal.

St. Maarten/Martin has had some high surf in the past couple of week and the surfers are out. If you are a surfer or just enjoy the seas, exercise some caution when considering getting into any kind of rough water. Always remember, if you get in trouble, you don’t only jeopardize your life, but the life of the one trying to save you!

Island Love Affair - SXM Sint Maarten

Gil has been enjoying the pleasures of a thirty year romance.  It’s a romance that involves sunrises on the beach, lazy afternoons on the water and hot steamy nights.  Like any good romance, there have been highs and lows. It’s had moments of calm and moments of turbulence. There’s been a lot of change and growth in the romance as well. His romance is with the island of St. Maarten and is still going strong as he prepares to roll with the changes yet again.

Gil is originally from Montreal, Canada. He moved to Florida over fifty years ago, with his wife, and they started a business together. Their business was refurbishing private aircraft.

“It was a great business. We met so many interesting people from all over the world. A lot of our clients came from South America and the Caribbean, as well as the States. We handled everything from small planes – like a Piper Cub, to big jets – like Gulfstreams and Challengers.”

It was through one of their clients that St. Maarten was discovered.

“I first came here with my wife and daughter on a cruise, from a recommendation of a client. That was over 3O years ago. At the time my family enjoyed cruising, it was such a great way to see new places. When we arrived in St. Maarten, it was love at first sight. We quickly realized that one day was definitely not enough.”

Like many people who come to St. Maarten, Gil was hooked.

“Before we knew it, we were traveling down here more than just once a year. It became a couple times a year and for longer periods each time. First it was in hotels, in fact the first place we stayed was Mullet Bay. It was such a beautiful property. I’m still sad when I drive through there today. It was truly a paradise the way that property was designed and landscaped. The staff was great, always took great care of us. That’s when we really started falling in love with the people of St. Maarten. I finally looked at my wife one day and said, ‘What about a house of our own in St. Maarten?’ And that’s what we did.”

Gil and his family built their first home here in he early 8O’s, in Monte Vista – located in Pointe Blanche.

“It started as a vacation home, and all of our extended family enjoyed many holidays there. Christmas was always our favorite time of year. My wife would go crazy with the Christmas decorations, and we have a big house party and invite our St. Maarten family.”

In 1995, like so many people in St. Maarten, Gil and his family suffered property damage and loss due to hurricane Luis. Unable to come down and secure their home, they relied on the help of good friends to secure the property.

“It was hard. We were stateside and helpless. We just tried to work, while waiting for the phone to ring for any kind of news. When we got the first tidbits of news, it was heartbreaking. We knew our little island had suffered a major blow. We actually made arrangements and flew out of Florida 2 days later, on a private charter, and just barely made it to the island. We actually had to go by helicopter from St. Thomas and we landed at Belle Creole because the airport was closed. It took us two days just to get to the Dutch side. What we saw was beyond description. It was just catastrophic. I hope to never see that kind of destruction again.”

St. Maarten rallied, pulling itself from the muck left behind and began rebuilding. Soon the island was flourishing once again. Around the same time, Gil and his wife made the decision to retire to St. Maarten, making their vacation home a permanent home.

“It was such a simple decision. Our daughter was grown and living her own life. She supported our decision 1OO%. We have such great friends here. It was like coming home.”

Gil lost his wife in 2OO7, but still remains in St. Maarten.

“There was no decision to make. My wife loved this island. One of her last wishes was to spend her last days here. As for me, I can’t see myself living anywhere else. I’ve often been asked if I ever thought about returning to Canada, and I just have to laugh. It’s way to cold! I’ve got thin blood now. I like my sunshine!”

Through the years, Gil has seen St. Maarten face many challenges and over come many obstacles.

“It’s been a wonder to watch this island grow. I can remember when you got Chicklet gum as change instead of coins. I remember when all there was were Great Bay Hotel and Mullet Bay, nothing in between. When you drove over the hill, there were no lights. In low season you were lucky to spot another car on the road. The airport was a couple little buildings and all passengers got off their planes on the runway. It was really Caribbean.”

Gil just recently celebrated his 76^th birthday. He still leads an active life. He’s the caretaker of a house in Dawn Beach. When not working as caretaker, he focuses on his own home. It’s a busy household with 3 dogs and a cat. Gil also enjoys getting out and seeing the island almost every day. When asked about the upcoming 1O-1O-1O, Gil was thoughtful.

“I don’t know. It will be interesting to see what happens. I can understand why country status is needed and I’m sure St. Maarten will pull through like always. I think the government will learn quite a bit as they evolve into a stronger union. Some of the changes are a little hard. The construction out in Cupecoy is a little heartbreaking. So much cement. But, it’s bringing people to St. Maarten who will put money into the economy. Sometimes it’s a love/hate relationship. There are times when I’m sitting in traffic that’s not moving and curse the island to the heavens above! Other times I see the sunrise peeking over the hills, count my blessings and just fall in love all over again.”

It’s BAAAAACK! August Monday – The Party of the Summer!

August Monday has arrived yet again! The island of Sint Maarten is getting prepared for the mass exodus that will occur on Monday, when a flotilla of boats will be spotted making their way across the Anguilla channel for the party of the summer. There’ll be big boats, little boats, sail boats, power boats, and ferries: a true armada heading over to Anguilla to attack the shores of Sandy Ground with coolers, music and revelers.

What is August Monday? In a nutshell it’s the celebration of the freeing of slaves. The first August Monday dates all the way back to 1834! It was also known as ‘Emancipation Day’. And these days, Anguilla’s August Monday is known worldwide for being one of the biggest beach parties that happens every year.

How can you get there? It’s pretty simple. The options range from private boats to ferries – or if you’re lucky enough you know someone with a boat! Travel time can be anywhere from twenty minutes to four hours, depending on the boat you’re on. The ferry from Marigot will get you there in less than 2O minutes for a pretty reasonable price. There are plenty of charter companies but if you haven’t booked by now, you may miss out!

What is there to do, you ask? Party, my dear friends, party in the most ideal setting one can imagine. Crystal clear blue waters, white sandy beach – a paradise that many dream about – that we got! For some it will be a first time – August Monday virgins so-to-speak. For others it will be as familiar as an old friend. Live music and boat racing are the highlights, as well as sponsored parties and private parties. Everything melts into one giant party! The pre-party starts on Friday as many people head over to spend the entire weekend on Anguilla, ending with the big blow out Monday night. A couple highlights to catch: Heineken is having it’s warm up boat race on Sunday at 2pm in Sandy Ground followed by a great Latin night of music at Landsome Bowl that will kick off around 8:3Opm. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can make your way to The Valley at 4am and participate in the J’ouvert Morning Parade. Dance your backside off as the sun rises over the island, kicking off another great day of partying. Monday afternoon will have the August Monday Boat Race at Sandy Ground starting at 3pm, followed by the big blow out party! If August Monday isn’t enough for you, there are more great times to be had! For the Anguilla locals, the party will start on August 2^nd and run through August 12^th as part of the Anguilla Summer Festival.  The festival includes parades for grown-up and kids, a beauty pageant, concerts and more!

I asked around with my friends to see what their plans were, as we reminisced about previous August Monday parties with lots of laughter. Memories ranging from lost swim trunks to sleeping on the beach due to missing the boat back! Some friends were as excited as a kid in a candy store about heading to Anguilla, others where planning a quiet day on Sint Maarten, away from the crowds. Some were even contemplating playing hooky from work…their names will be withheld to protect the not so innocent!

A few words of precaution for our August Monday Virgins: Sun block. Can’t have enough of it! Nothing like a bad sunburn to spoil the party. To virgins and non-virgins alike: Keep hydrated. Yes, yes…the plan is to “party ‘til you puke” but a couple of bottles of water here and there let you party for longer. Dehydration is no fun! And finally: Be responsible! Have fun, be safe and come back in relatively one piece! Plans have been made, boats will be prepared and the hoards of people will descend on Anguilla will party, party, party!

World Cup in St. Maarten

Here's an article I wrote while experiencing the World Cup of European Football in St. Maarten. It was insane and wild and so much fun.

I arrived at Marty’s early, having been warned that it would be a madhouse for the game. That was not an understatement! Having staked my claim on a small table and two bar stools, I settled back to watch the increasingly steady tide of Orange wash in from the parking lot. I was joined, shortly, by a good friend of mine from Holland, Jax, and we prepared to watch the game with a couple of drinks and an air of expectation.

As the kick off drew near, the atmosphere at Marty’s was increasingly anxious and excited. Soon I felt like I was bobbing along in an orange sea, with still more people pressing to get inside in wave after wave of orange. They wanted to get to the bar, to a drink and to a good spot to see the two big TVs Marty had set up. As for seating, if you came early enough you scored a chair or a bar stool. Late comers had their choice of places on the metal scaffolding set up for the game, though it was a little unforgiving to your backside. It was not a first time visit for many people, so I saw many pillows being carried in the direction of the scaffolding. I could hear the same questions floating through the crowd: How good was Uruguay, really? Could Holland really make it to the finals? Against whom? Germany? Spain? The questions were interrupted by the Netherland’s national anthem, which many sang at Marty’s with gusto. The anthem was followed by a roar from the crowd at the kick off of the game. People were already on their feet, applauding and cheering.

And then it happened.

Less than 2O minutes into the first half – Holland scored. Madness erupted all around me. People were jumping and cheering and hugging each other, screaming all the while. I was right along for the ride. I found myself in the very strong clutches of a young Dutch woman who was urging me to will Holland to a win. Her desire for the game was infectious and I couldn’t help but grin at her enthusiasm.

“I know you’re not from Holland, but will you cheer with me?” she asked. Who could say no? Besides, even though I’m not from Holland, I was definitely FOR Holland. I gave her a big squeeze and told her, “Holland will do just fine. I have a feeling. Just you wait and see.” I got a giant Cheshire Cat grin in return.

And then it happened.

Just a little over 2O minutes after Holland’s goal, Uruguay scored. A rather lightening fast goal that left the crowd saying, “What just happened?”  I looked over at Jax and frowned in confusion. I had literally looked down for 2 seconds to find something on the table and there was a goal. The game was tied. Back to square one and it was half time. Half time was spent in the usual manner of any big sporting events: The mad rush to the bar and bathrooms. I took a few moments to chat with the people around, smiling at all the people from different countries there to represent Holland. I had one group of women from Colombia who didn’t speak a word of Dutch but were cheering madly and decked out in Orange. “We love football! And Holland!” they happily told me. Just behind me was a lady from Belgium and in front of me were 2 German gentlemen. One of the Germans smiled at me and told me in a playfully scheming tone, “Just seeing what the competition for the final will be.” That made me laugh and clap him on the back.

At the kick off to the second half, the atmosphere was slightly different. There was a sense of urgency drifting around the crowd. Questions surfaced again: Can Holland do this? Sure enough, 7O minutes into the game, Holland scored, and the crowd at Marty’s became a wild melee. I found myself showered in Heineken and being slapped on the back and kissed by everyone in my general vicinity. Jax leaned towards me with a huge grin on her face. “Can you believe it? This is so amazing!” I grinned back, hoisting a Heineken in the air, although I’m not quite sure where it came from. It seemed to have magically materialized in my hand.  Three minutes later, another goal! Madness would be an understatement.  The crowd erupted into frenzied glee. The chant of Holland! Holland! Was being yelled out from every corner, followed by Ole, Ole, Ole. I smiled sheepishly at my friend and started singing: na,na,naa na, na na naa na, hey hey, hey Good bye. Soon the crowd was roaring that little tune as well. Jax and I found ourselves, once again, amidst a fountain of Heineken and miscellaneous other drinks as people around us were, seemingly, losing their minds.

Twenty minutes later, the crowd gave a collective gasp as Uruguay scored a goal in extra time for the second half. A brief look of panic washed across the sea of Orange. What was this…? Could it be possible? Could Uruguay make some sort of miraculous come back? Would there be extra time? A shoot out? The answer was NO. The final whistle blew and lunacy erupted once again. This time the orange sea surged through the front of Marty’s spilling out to swamp the main road. Traffic was stopped as people dance and cheered in the street. One young man was suddenly a toreador, challenging, playfully, the on coming traffic with a Dutch flag. No one seemed to mind, and many dubbed him the unofficial official mascot as horn honked, people cheered and hugged and buckets of ice water where being dumped on random revelers.

The crowd began thinning out around 6pm, nearly 2 hours after the end of the game. The orange tide was slowly dispersing, drifting away from Marty’s or back into Marty’s. I briefly spoke to Marty, who looked exhausted but content. The unofficial beer tally was 1O5 cases of beer in 2 hours. Astounding!

I bid a weary farewell to Jax and to my new friends, promising I would see them again this Sunday. Same time, same place, and hopefully the same outcome. Go Holland!