Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

A pleasant walk

February 12th, 2018 | Tags: Donald E. de Castro walking Hurricanes health kindness
Donald E. de Castro. Photo: VINO/File
Donald E. de Castro

Presently living on a hill at Pockwood Pond, today December 17, 2017 is another interesting day in my life after Irma and Maria. It has been a very trying and at the same time an experience living out of town. During the weeks after these two devastating hurricanes and having lost my van to Irma it was a trying time getting back and forth into town so it was necessary to catch a ride daily.

Doing this daily was interesting to note the people who would stop to pick me up, who would blow their horns (at or to me) and who would pass you by. I rode in in cars, suvs, the front and the tray of pickups, in three-yard trucks, vans and safaris. I was picked up by friends, acquaintances, expat police officers that were here assisting, people that knew me, people that I did not know, total strangers and many expats – both living and visiting. In the early weeks my fourteen-year-old daughter, Frances, was with me. To all those people I was very grateful and now I extend my sincere thanks. Of course, many days I did get to town with family with whom I am staying. I am still catching rides so feel free to continue to offer your service.

After walking this road in sections over the past months (and I still do) I decided I will walk the entire road today so after having a hearty breakfast of pancake and bacon and a cup of Horsetail tea I walked down the hill where I got a ride with the son of a friend (who is no longer with us) and I went into town and attended service at the St George's Anglican Church. I left the church at 10:18 A.M. stopped by Pusser’s to get a signal on my phone to send a text, then I went by my property and spoke to my tenant for a while and started my walk back home.

As I arrived in the vicinity of the QE2 Park a young lady stopped to offer me a ride which I politely explained that I was walking to Pockwood Pond. Continuing my journey home I was again offered a ride in the Fort Burt area then again at the foot of Slaney Hill, this time it was a family member. As my walk continued I stopped by VI Motors in Duffs Bottom to read a text after which in less than three minutes two persons offered me rides and again I took time to explain I just wanted to walk home.

Leaving Duffs Bottom and arriving in the vicinity of the Race Track in Sea Cows Bay, a gentleman called out to me so I stood up and waited for him. After he got to me we stood and chatted for a while, after which we started walking and talking and during the conversation he told me his name was Samuel and was 64 years old. So here is an 82year old and a 64year old enjoying a casual walk in the nice hot sun. During our conversation he decided he will walk as far as Hannah's as he was going to the Superete. Shortly after we passed the entrance to go up the (Elevator) hill another family member that lives in the same house stopped for me and again I told her I was walking home, a few minutes later another gentleman stopped to offer me a ride which I again declined. Shortly after we arrived at his destination, Samuel and I stood up chatted for a few minutes and then I continued my walk. After a few minutes’ walk I arrived at Billy Winter store but before I entered there was a friend sitting in her car and offered to take me home so I told her I was walking and that I was going to look for Billy as I have not seen him since the hurricanes. After chatting with Billy for some time I left and walked the rest of the way and then up the hill and after getting in the house I looked at my phone and it was 1:08 P.M.

Again, thanks to all of you that continue to give me rides and I hope that more of you would walk. Walking is good for the body and soul. You can get closer to your destination walking in ten minutes than you can standing for half an hour.

7 Responses to “A pleasant walk”



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.