Flashlight yes, flush no…
St. John lost power for about a half an hour in the middle of the night when a gigantic thunderstorm rolled through (middle of the night thunderstorms are a great excuse to get up and finish the beer that you stumbled away from on your way to bed a few hours earlier and they are always a great show.)
This little guy (left) is your villa’s best friend. The unassuming little pump sends water to everything from your shower to your kitchen sink…to your toilet. Don’t flush when there’s no power. Your pump is out of service when there’s no power.
The flashlight part is easy. Just turn a couple on and set them on a table pointing at the ceiling. It’s easy to find the kitchen that way because it’s impossible to finish a half gone lukewarm beer and not want another.
September 21st, 2007 09:19
So this morning I power up my laptop as usual and go straight for my morning STJ fix. First I check out the ferry web cam and yes, the dock is there and the sun is shining. But wait, when I go to check out today’s On-STJohn story there is none….panic…..what’s up? OK, so the power outage explains it, I feel much better now.
September 21st, 2007 10:05
sounds like a fun evening! that thing about the pump should really be told to renters just in case. not sure I would have thought of that!
September 21st, 2007 10:34
Here’s me in 2004 on our first trip:
“Oh look…how quaint. The power’s out. (continues to use hose to fill A/C water thingies) How I do love the charm of the islands…ummm…where the hell is the water going?”
(Calls owner of house where we’re staying)
“Oh…really…I’m very sorry…my mistake entirely. Can you please re-prime the pump? It will never happen again”
(Drinks beer…)
September 21st, 2007 11:35
Pat I had the same feeling this morning. I kept checking back to the site thinking what the hell is wrong with my computer…there has to be a new post! Having to wait until mid-day for a new entry was devastating!!!
September 21st, 2007 14:07
I agree with the previous posts…while sipping my morning coffee, I was sorely disappointed that there was no news from the South. I thought…Geez, I hope they are okay down there…I may have to text or call those boys later if nothing shows up on the site! PHEW! I feel better now.
September 21st, 2007 17:54
Just remember, you can always refill the toilet tanks with Aquafina… or buckets of sea water you’ve hauled up from the beach. But that’s only if you’re REALLY desperate.
September 21st, 2007 18:20
Hey! Are you sure that picture on the right is really a flashlight? Looks more like a UFO over the USVI to me!
September 21st, 2007 18:53
Ditto… I just kept checking back. I decided the after-the-palm-death funeral party must have really been wild and you had to sleepin.
Listen hear boys- we have our limits as to how long we are going to wait for a post. 4 am tops. I know, I know, sometimes you post twice in a day but that does not excuse this kind of behavior.
Consider this your warning!!!!
September 22nd, 2007 15:23
We’re all addicts….
September 24th, 2007 05:20
I agree with Chicago Steve on the water for the toilets. I’d hold off on Aquafina though….and the beach may be some distance away….just grab some water out of the pool to use. Most houses have trash containers, and plastic garbage bags…so there you go. The pool will never miss a couple gallons of water that would have been absorbed by the sun the next day anyway! It’s still paradise for McGuyver when the power’s out!!!