Shopping with Amy

Finally, busy Amy had some time to go shopping with me--and give Tom a little relief from the sight-seeing.

The entire shopping area of Cruz Bay is walkable--or strollable in a morning.

The mall is lush, colorful, interesting and very unlike a mainland mall.  There is not even one Ross or Target or Kohls or even a Walgreens.  And somehow the natives seem to survive.

A favorite restaurant spot--doesn't look like a 'food court'.

I kept thinking, 'I could redecorate the RV!  or my wardrobe of shorts and flip flops'

I definitely wanted a wall big enough to hang a painting on. Then decided better of it.

We finally strolled back to the square where parking is prohibited.  The walls throughout the mall area are like that above--boy, someone had a lot of time on his hands. I also loved the sign.

The statue in the square is called 'Freedom' and signifies the slave revolt on the Island in the early part of the 1800's.  The slaves that worked on the sugar plantations took over the Island and held it for some time before the French army sailed in and took it back.

There are few of the descendants of the slaves left on St John.  Most live on St. Thomas and many ride over on the ferry each day to work.  And, of course, there are no native Indian descendants left anywhere in the Virgin Islands.  But there are languages, dialects and complexions from every part of the world. Dominicans, Haitians, Cubans and other Islanders are more prevalent than natives of St. John.  And the very rich and not-so-rich rub shoulders everywhere.  St. John has become a true melting pot.

Thanks for the day Amy--see you for dinner.