The Lord blessed me today!!

The Lord blessed me today. The lady behind the desk paused for a prompt after this intriguing comment. A story was coming my way. An encouraging nod got her started.

I had a doctor appointment this morning. When I got to the parking lot, the car had a flat. (I didn’t get it; seemed a bit odd to be blessed with a flat tire to start one’s day. I waited to hear more). Lord, I said, how am I going to get to the doctor’s? You know, the Lord sent this woman who was going my way, and I got to the appointment on time. When I came out of the doctor’s office, I said: Lord, how am I going to get back to work? Well, the Lord sent me this man who was going my way, and I got back here.

Luck, coincidence, synchronicity or a miracle? For the lady who was telling me the story, there was only one answer. She was pleased that God had made her day, but I was still curious. What about the flat? Oh, that’s still there; I’ll deal with it after I get off work, she said calmly.

The story made me realize I had been similarly blessed. While loading the suitcases to leave for Paradise, I noticed the van had a flat. No time to fix it-I would miss the plane. With everything else that was going on at the time (see: Leaving for Paradise) I did not feel particularly blessed that morning. If anything, it did not appear to be a good omen. I overlooked the blessing in disguise. My car hadn't shipped out as planned (see: Getting Around). If the paperwork had gone through on time, I would not have a car at hand to get to the airport. I made it to Paradise on schedule. What about the flat? A friend fixed it later that day. The car got to Paradise eventually.

Moral of the story: Adversity can provide an opportunity to count one’s blessings. After all, in Paradise, one doesn't just believe in miracles; one depends on them.

Next: Going Postal

To the left, to the left..Getting around

KEEP LEFT. Shoulder to the shoulder. (Steering)Wheels near heels.

Pick your favorite memory aid. It still takes a good bit of mental gymnastics to back out of a hard-to-find parking spot. Here is my story of getting around in Paradise.

Before relocating, I had arranged to rent a private vehicle. The owner would pick me up at the airport, I’d drive him back to his place, and then head over to my apartment So far, so good. Then things got interesting.

I called to confirm pickup time at the airport the day before departure. Are you coming in on Sunday? I’ll be off-island, said the owner of the car. He was not going to be back till the following evening. No one else was available to drop off the car. I did not know where I was going from the airport (see: Leaving for Paradise). No problem, Doc. The owner had an idea: I’ll leave the car at the airport. I had never seen the car, but I was listening. What about the key? Oh, I’ll leave it under the mat on the passenger side. The mental image was not encouraging-getting arrested at the airport for allegedly trying to break into cars and check under mats, looking for a key to a car I had never seen. We eventually worked out a transfer arrangement that involved two drop-offs and three other people.

Months later, I shipped my car to Paradise. The cost of shipping, taxes and insurance added up to a third of the book value of the car. But buying a car is even more expensive, since those costs are passed on to the buyer as DOMA (Dealer Overseas Marketing Allowance) If you choose to work with a commercial agency, rental rates start around $800/month (best rates in town, the ads claim) And the gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than the mainland. Need a spare part? Expect to wait for weeks-ships may make a few stops along the way. (The patience of a saint-always get a chance to see if you still have it).

When I get on the road, each trip is a roller-coaster ride. Every hill-hugging narrow road resembles San Francisco’s Lombardi Street. If that’s not enough, the traffic goes both ways on undivided roads without shoulders. Steep slopes and hairpin bends add to the thrill of driving in Paradise. Did I mention the rain and wind? Through it all, one rule applies: To the left, to the left….

Any other options? Sure(check out the photos). All things considered, the best value in town is the “dollar ride” on a safari taxi. Between islands, there are seaplanes (or airboats, if you prefer) ferries and private boats . Each of these rides has its own special charm. And that is the secret of getting around in Paradise: you don’t have to drive to enjoy the best rides. But if you get behind the wheel, remember: When in Paradise, it is right to keep left.

Next post: The Lord blessed me today!!

Leaving for Paradise

Two suitcases. A dream. And a laptop.

Three decades earlier, I had made a similar journey to start my professional training (minus the laptop) Faith, family and friends had helped then; I was leaving two of the three behind this time. In Paradise, faith is all one needs to get started.

I had talked with a realtor about getting an apartment. A small, but convenient, place was offered at a sharp price. There was a tenant in the apartment, but the realtor expected it would be vacated soon. What if it wasn’t? No problem, Doc, I’ve got this covered. That was a month before departure. No problem? The tenant in the soon-to-be-vacant apartment decided against leaving Paradise. Calls and e-mails were exchanged as I tried to arrange a lease. I was hundreds of miles away, and within two weeks of relocation. An independent search for a place was discouraging. A week left, no lucky breaks. Chill, Doc, I’ll take care of you. Three days before the scheduled departure, I was informed that I may have to stay in a hotel till……. Needless to say, hotels were sold out except for premium rates. High season weekly rates were in four-figure amounts, far beyond what I could afford. I was going to be homeless in Paradise!! Or go broke trying not to be. Faith is all one needs, right? I also needed Plan B.

The day before leaving, I spoke to a co-worker, who was able to locate a temporary “shelter” till I could get settled. I had a roof over my head, running (cold) water and electricity. The cooking range emitted fumes and odors when I plugged it in; I never figured out the TV connections. Plan B worked out…for about two days. Then it was time to pack my bags to nowhere. That’s when I found out how JIT (just-in-time) works in Paradise.

The realtor found another apartment that needed plumbing and fixtures. I’ll have it ready in two days, Doc. I did not have two days to spare. Time for Plan C. My realtor friend rose to the occasion: I have an idea, Doc-a friend sold a condo unit, but the closing is not till next week. What happens if the apartment is not ready by next week? No problem, Doc; I know the lawyer, we’ll postpone the closing!! You guessed it-I was a stowaway in a “sale-pending” condo for two weeks. Then it was time to move, again. This time, I had a place and a lease. Faith works if you have the patience of a saint.

The apartment has basic amenities, quiet neighbors and a million-dollar view (photo above taken at dusk from the balcony). I see cruise ships enter and leave the harbor, hear planes take off for faraway lands and feel the tropical breeze as it cools the sun-drenched, lush green mountainsides.

In Paradise, you can unpack your suitcases and your dreams. The laptop is optional.

Next post: To the left, to the left… Getting around in Paradise.

License, Please!!

Accepting an offer to work in Paradise was easy. Getting a license to do so is the story of the day.

I sent in my papers as soon as I accepted the offer. Several weeks later, I got an e-mail that the papers had been received. Then it was Carnival time (we’ll go there later). By the end of high season, I had called several times; each time I was assured that progress was being made. (Remember, the patience of a saint). The summer came and went, but no license was forthcoming. About eight months after the initial submission, a letter brought the much-awaited news: the papers had been processed. I came down to make arrangements for relocation and pick up the license.

At the license office, a blank look greeted me. Apparently, they had never heard of me. I showed the letter from the license bureau-it was the real thing, but they did not have my papers. I looked around in disbelief. As I tried to come up with something to say, something caught my eye- it the legal-size envelope I had mailed months earlier, lying in the midst of a pile of unopened mail. I reached over and pulled out the envelope. Sure enough, the seal was still intact!! The seal was opened, a file prepared and now, all that was needed to issue the license, was a check for the license fee. As fate would have it, I did not have my checkbook handy. No problem, mon. Just mail the check and the rest of the process would go smoothly. I did my part the next day. And waited….

When I arrived to start work the following month, I went to pick up the license. Not so fast, my friend. The check had not been received, so the file was still incomplete. By now, I knew where to look. Sure enough, there was the envelope with the check, in another heap of unopened mail. I pulled out the envelope and handed it over. Everything was in order, and I got a lucky break - the license board was meeting the next day. I waited some more….

The next morning, I called and was informed that the license had been approved, but it was not ready. The papers had not yet made their way to the office that issued the license-call at the end of the day. Two days and several calls later, I went to the conference area (second floor), and hand-carried the file to the office (a few floors above, in the same building). You see, the machine for laminating the license was in the upstairs office, and lamination was a requirement before issuing the license.

Finally, I had the coveted license in hand. Eleven months had passed since I had sent in my papers. Apparently, earth time does not work in Paradise.

Lesson learned: In Paradise, things happen in God’s good time. DON’T RUSH GOD!!

Next post: Leaving for Paradise

Saints and Virgins

US Virgin Islands. America’s Paradise. St Thomas, St Croix, St John.

Balmy tropical weather, cool ocean breezes, clear blue skies and turquoise water stretching to the horizon. Any takers?

I signed up when an opportunity came my way. True to the name, it is virgin territory for my area of professional expertise. Call it an Adventure in the Caribbean-that makes me a Pirate of Paradise. Follow along as I share tales of how things work in Paradise. As you embark on your journey (actual or literary), here is the first thing you’ll need: the patience of a saint.

Let’s try that again: the patience of a saint. Now let’s find out if you have it.

I’ll be back with the first story this weekend, titled: License, please!!