Under The Same Stars: St. Croix U.S Virgin Islands

by Rachel Sherman (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown USA

Here, everyone was under a barefoot agenda, and a shirtless dilemma. My Toyota Yaris had a flat tire, an entirely symbolic paradigm for my perception of the island. It felt as though I was the only one daring enough to step foot on this turf, where everything from street sides were not ‘right.’ Shockingly enough, the island of St. Croix was not to blame for asking me to question where on Earth I was venturing into. It was my mistake for not immediately allowing it’s potential to captivate my senses. It felt isolating, being in the midst of unforeseen beauty. The nightlife was non-existent; altering my previous notions of v-shaped male bodies and their fit girlfriends parading around beach bars, sipping on fruity umbrella drinks. The night was calm, with a fluent island breeze that was swiftly floating past the damp hair stuck to my neck. 40 Strand, seemingly the only happening place on the east side of the island, was a restaurant that held all local “catches” of the day. Residential servers brought plates of sea creatures, and although hesitation was present, I was trying to be open enough in my mouth- as if to make up for my mind. I met a hostess who said this island had been her home since she was a child, twenty-five years ago. She had no reason to leave, and every intention on staying because she saw the magic. I found a hidden gem, in the form of a beach. Locals were floating as water was flooding over their carefree bellies. The sun’s rays were gleaming like magic as the vision of Rainbow Beach became clear. Talking to individuals near the water, one man was confessing he quit his job and immediately made the transition to St. Croix. With no regrets, he found bliss. These conversations were quite thought provoking as I was beginning to question the normalcy of routine; a foreign concept here. The day to day daunting tasks of work and school, that drive culture in the main states, were not similarly present in the philosophy of these people. Interestingly enough, the slow-paced reality had a focus on simplicity. Rainbow beach was providing vibrant colors of relaxation and serenity, but Rhythm’s Bar was the real gold. The music playing was infecting me with some sort of pleasurable plague; drum beats like soothing heart palpitations to the soul. Contentment was circling the room as I was now fully connecting to the greater force of the island. St. Croix was miles away from home, two-thousand to be exact. But, the locals made it possible to call it home. It was mind-blowing how a quick flight could become the bridge between two worlds; taking me to a place where the ocean’s glass-like surface was reflecting back to me everything I had lost and only to gain. The gleaming sun was out by day, but the glowing algae took over the night. A kayak ride through the bioluminescent bay was leading me on a quest, in search of live plants with a light switch. Passing through the scenic river bend, I was starting to notice the flickers of life turn on. Looking down at the crystal clear water, I was witnessing a million little glowing stars. The reflection of everything above was transparent with the sea below. The glowing kayak ride was a smooth transition into realizing that although my flight was leaving tomorrow, I will always be home. St. Croix and I were always under the same stars.