Two days into my trip in St. Croix, I lost my camera battery charger. Ensued self-loathing, anxiety, panic, and an overnight order which did not quite work as planned. Two days of incessant phone conversations with FedEx US and St. Croix customs, a trip to the local FedEx office (it does not have a working phone number) resulted in the most expensive ever non-overnight delivery of a charger (later refunded by FedEx after much irritated prodding on my part.)
Thursday morning, I was finally ready to roll.
My first photograph of the day was of Roger, the wonderful owner of Carringtons Inn, eating oatmeal straight from the pot, in his office. The bed and breakfast has five beautiful rooms overlooking Christiansted, and feels just like home (in more beautiful.)
I arrived in Christiansted early in the morning.
A Danish possession for close to two centuries, St. Croix has managed to keep most of its original structures. The town is a marvel of pastel-hued buildings which incorporate shaded sidewalks (we need more Danish architects in Texas.)
Across Christiansted’s harbor, a hotel on a tiny island. For $3.00, you can take the boat and enjoy their beach (and bar.)
With so much vacation spirit and cocktails on the beach, you almost forget that people actually work on the island. While tourists go casual, the Islanders dress up.
Chance encounters with kids on the street on their way to school…
Little Eden
Anthony
A little further, I meet Majo. He is trying to make up for a major gaffe when he forgot to invite his sweetheart for dinner after catching a big fish.
Then George.
George was very good with his crutches, and I literally had to run and hide to get rid of him… much to the amusement of the islanders.
Woman waiting
Yard in a more impoverished part of Christiansted
Man on his front porch
Sweetest toothless old lady
The lady’s very thin cat
Typical Crucian mutt
Well-armed Crucian cop at the Kentucky Fried Chicken
Curiously, St. Croix is also home to Hovensa, one of the largest crude-oil refineries in the world. You would think that would translate in better prices at the pump, but not so much.
I finished the day by swinging by The Divi Carina Bay Resort and photographing my friend Rose.
I slept 10 hours straight that night!
nathalie with an h's Confessional 