An Island Divided

In the Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico and South of Anguilla, is a small island called Sint Maarten (or Saint Martin, depending on who you ask.) The tiny island is divided into two territories: the south (Sint Maarten) belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the north (Saint Martin) is owned by France.

I traveled there with two of my friends in September, for a week-long vacation. We stayed with another friend who is attending medical school on the Dutch side of the island. While he spent the day in class or the library, we drove around in search of French pastries. We got lost (a lot), we read our books on the beach and swam in the aquamarine sea. It was a relaxing and soul-restoring trip. Short, but very sweet.

Here are a few notes & recommendations from my stay:

Dutch side:

• Mullet Bay Beach- was my favorite beach out of the half dozen we visited. It was usually uncrowded, quiet and clean. There's also a great reef to snorkel at on the north side of the beach that is teeming with fish and the occasional stingray. 

• Top Carrot- located in Simpson Bay, this cafe is a great place to go for breakfast, lunch or even just a coffee. The menu is mostly Mediterranean with plenty of healthy and vegetarian options. They also have baked goods, juices and smoothies.

• Carousel- a gelateria with a carousel inside. Celebrate your inner child by getting a double scoop and going round the carousel till you turn dizzy.

• The Greenhouse- a restaurant and bar with a fun atmosphere right on the beach. Their grilled mahi mahi was delicious.

• Dive Safaris- a good dive shop located in Simpson Bay. It had been over a year since I donned a tank and fins, but the staff did a great job at easing my nerves and making sure I felt comfortable and safe during both boat dives. My favorite site was Big Mama's Reef, because I got to pet a nurse shark. It was so cool!

French side:

• Banana Cafe- a cute little outdoor cafe in the heart of Marigot with crepes and made-to-order juices and smoothies. It was not busy when we stopped in, so we had a chance to chat with the quirky owner for a bit and hear her conspiracy theories and meet her pet kitten.

• Loterie Farm / Pic Paradis- I highly recommend taking half a day to visit the Loterie Farm nature preserve. There are ziplining routes, an on-sight restaurant, lounge and pool. My friends and I did a self-guided hike to the highest point on the island, Pic Paradis, which only cost 5 euro. I loved getting to spend time in nature and see a part of the island that is untouched by development.
• Grand Case- I  favored the French side of the island for its food, culture and neighborhood feel. Grand Case is a great day trip for its beaches, water activities and beachside restaurants. 

{hiking at Pic Paradis}

{Grand Case}

You might be wondering, "Where is the photo of the airplane flying over her head?" This is the classic tourist photo that everyone comes home from St Maarten with. Well, sorry to disappoint, but I didn't attempt to get this shot. Maho Beach was smaller than I imagined, noisy (due to the proximity to the airport), and packed with cruise-ship tourists (due to its proximity to bars and casinos). It wasn't my cup of tea and my friends and I didn't stay here long, since there were so many other beaches worth exploring.

Have you been to St Maarten before? What highlights did I miss here, and what should I see on my next trip? Let me know in the comments below!

Finding Home

Last weekend I drove to the town where I grew up to celebrate Easter with my family. All my life, I've called this town and the house where I was raised "home." However on three separate occasions during the weekend, I referred to Dallas as home--two words that two years ago, I never would have imagined belonging in the same sentence together. 

At this time in 2013, I had just returned home from what I thought was my greatest adventure--a seven-month solo backpacking trip on the opposite side of the world. I returned to living with my family in my small hometown again, without employment, a sense of independence or any certainty about my life. Those four months broke me and tested my patience and faith in every way possible. After dozens of job applications and multiple rounds of interviews in places like Houston, Austin, DC, Fort Worth and even Guyana (yes, the country), I began to lose hope that I would ever find a job. 

And then one morning, I randomly decided to apply for a job in Dallas. And in less than 24 hours, I received a phone call from the CEO and a formal offer letter. Some might attribute this to a stroke of "right time, right place" kind-of-luck, but I knew it was more than that. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of assurance and certainty that Dallas is where God wanted me to be. And so just like that, I packed my things into my little car and moved to Dallas.

It may not have been the easiest transition, but I now can look back on that period of waiting and uncertainty with joy and appreciation. It taught me that I am not in control of everything and I relearned how to trust in God's plan for my life. Reflecting on this time, I'm reminded of Psalm 23: 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I'm so thankful for a God who loves me and guides me in the right direction, even when I'm a stubborn little sheep with my own agenda. His patience and faithfulness were greater than my impatience and prejudices against a city I barely knew. Though I never could have pictured myself living in Dallas then, I'm happy to now call this place home. And I know that no matter where life's journey takes me, as long as I put my trust in the Lord, he'll always lead me home.