DB just HAD to rent a car when we got to St. John's. I was against it; after all, these people drive on the left. What is that? This is the USVI, not the BVI. But, he prevailed, and we rented a four-wheeled drive Izuzu thingumabob.
Somewhere in the literature about this tropical paradise, it is explained that the roads on the island were originally donkey paths. Well, you don't have to try to convince me; no human could have possibly made such narrow, steep, convoluted roads as exist on this island. 45 degree curves, going uphill, certainly look like something a donkey would invent.
Then there is this driving-on-the-left business. In truth, the locals drive in the middle of the road, to get around those sharp corners better. That makes for exciting confrontations as you try to remember to pull left, not right, as one of their open air taxis comes hurtling at you...from around that sharp corner, as you are trying to negotiate the curve and the 25 degree uphill.
One good thing about this Izuzu thingumabob is there is a sissy handle near the seat on the left side of the passenger's seat. I darn near wore it out during the 5 days we had that vehicle. I took the responsibility of reminding DB to drive on the left whenever we started off. I also graciously made all the requisite "eeek", "yikes", "watch out!", and quick audible (loud, actually) gasps of squeaky breaths that are needed on such occasions. Privately, I felt he wasn't properly appreciative of my efforts.
Then, just as you have been passed on a curve, going uphill, you suddenly come upon...goats. That's right, goats. Goats in large numbers, mowing the grass on the sides of these narrow roads. Goats in a variety of sizes crossing the street in front of you. Goats standing in the middle of the road, looking at you with "what are you doing here," expressions.
Of course, you also have to admire every bay that you pass. No, not YOU, DB, I need to admire it. You need to drive. On the left. Up that steep hill and around that sharp corner. Did I mention that the road falls off down the mountain? Or that the edges of roads are often broken up and have 12-inch drop-offs to the cliff next to the left hand side of the road. Where you are driving? Or, rather, DB is driving and I am making the appropriate noises.
He has a lot of patience, does my DB. None of my noises bothered him. Which is another way of saying that he ignored me. Is that a donkey ahead? Watch out! Here's a taxi coming! Too fast! On our side of the road! Drive on the left! OOhh! EEEEEKKKK!
There were chickens, too, but they didn't cross the road. I guess they didn't care about the other side. The only thing more exciting than riding in that Izuzu thingumabob is riding in the back of the open air taxi as IT hurtles around the sharp corners, etc., etc., in the middle of the road and meeting some poor tourist coming the other way.
Did I tell you about the people? That's right, people. Hiking, walking, or strolling on the side of the road. ARE THEY CRAZY?
The best thing about the whole driving experience is that we didn't drive at night. We did ride in an open air taxi, and that was enough excitement for me.
My knuckles are still white.
Life is good, especially where we drive on the RIGHT! As man was made to do. Thanks be to God. Amen
I just read John's entry about driving on country roads, and I have to write about driving on St. John in the American Virgin Islands.
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