We have always lived next to this airport, it seems.
Staying in Saint Martin means that you are usually pretty close to an airport. At my count, there are three, although I could be missing a few. At approximately 35 square miles, that means that wherever we’re anchored, we’re close.
We have been at anchor in Simpson bay for over a month now. Although we have traveled around the island, and anchored on the French side (Grand Case) and even sailed to St Barth’s, it seems we just can’t escape the sound of planes taking off and landing, bringing scores of people to the island for their vacations.
When you spend lots of time next to an airport, there are odd ways that you adjust. You start to tell time based on the first plane take off, and the final landing of the day. You pause conversations mid syllable when a plane soars overhead, blocking out all other sound. You clutch your pillow to your chest and sigh when a jumbo jet arrives late from Europe and soars over your bed, hundreds of unsuspecting passengers gazing out their oval windows unaware that they have woken you yet again. You think of dear friends who have land based houses close to airports- and smile slightly, knowing that your house is a boat that can move when you just don’t like your neighbors.
Your jet propelled boat friends,
Paul and Lindsay
PS special shout out to Jim and April, who have been living in the flight path for much longer than us.
TIBURON MARINO 