This was added to the "old site" in 2011.

This trip took Johnny and I from St. Croix (STX) to San Juan (SJU), San Juan to Haïti (PAP) and then Haïti back to SJU and from there to St. Maarten (SXM). We flew directly to STX from SXM.

When we got to SJU from Haiti, we had to go through Customs and Immigration. We were on a line for American Citizens. We were third or fourth on the line. I was in front of Johnny. While waiting the agents began to talk to each other in Spanish. I listened attentively. The male agent (white looking Puerto Rican) apparently was training the Black female. The male agent began to tell the female agent that they needed to do a thorough review of the Black man who was standing behind me. He described me to the female agent, so she knew which Black man he was referring to. The Black man in front of me placed his suitcase on the counter. The male agent began to search the suitcase as he explained to the female agent what he was doing. The male agent went through everything. The contents were no longer neatly folded. He put everything he had taken out of the suitcase back in and told the passenger to go with his suitcase to one of the rooms on the side. I didn't hear the explanation given as to why the guy had to go to the room. I told Johnny not to say anything if things got out of hand.

When it was my turn, I placed my luggage on the counter. In almost a whisper I asked the agent, "What Black man were you talking about?" His face turned red. He asked me where I had learned Spanish. I told him my parents were from Vieques. He asked me for my passport. I gave it to him. He looked at it and then said, "But you were born in the Virgin Islands." I told him that I was born there but my mother made sure I learned Spanish. He asked me what I did for a living. I told him I worked for the federal government. He gave me back my passport and told me I was cleared to leave. He did not open my suitcase. I told him he would also have to clear the Black man that was next in line because we were together. He did. I knew the agent was embarrassed. Strangely enough, many Haïtians also speak Spanish! Why be so stupid?

Though Jonny kept asking me what had transpired, I told him I'd explain it to him on the flight to St. Maarten. I did not want Johnny to make a scene in SJU and have us miss the flight.

We almost did not leave St. Maarten on the day scheduled. The flight to St. Croix was overbooked due to a band flying from Antigua to St. Croix for the festival. When asked for volunteers to stay back, I told Johnny to let me do the talking. (I didn´t need to see/hear him "perform" because I wanted to leave St. Maarten as planned.) I told the agent I'd stay another day only if we were given a rental car and allowed to stay in the same hotel. The agent did not look too happy. I reminded the agent that we were the first ones to check in at the airport. He told me he'd make a decision and then make an announcement. When he did, our names were called. The other passengers were not too happy. It pays to get to the airport early. It may also be a good idea to ask for things you know the airline can't give.

There are three other stories I could tell you, but I think they will have to wait for another time. The three stories are - one about my lost American Express Travelers' Cheques, the guest staying next to us in the hotel and the shopper we talked to in a grocery store.

We had fun!