SMER FAMILY

NOTE: this a blog post I made back in 2023, I am adding it to. my new site.

Montserrat here we come!!! December 14, 2023 an amazing day, a day of travel and great anticipation.

It has been 18 years since, I have stepped foot on the Island of Montserrat where we as a family wintered 3 to 4 months each year from 1995 to 2005.

Today, my children (Makayla, Clint & his girlfriend Tilson) and I – make my return trip to the familiar shores, eager to reconnect with the memories of my past of Montserrat.

We gather our luggage and head to St. Louis, MO for an overnight stay at the Dury Inn Airport Hotel – our hearts filled with excitement. Makayla and I traveled together to St. Louis via MO-X an airport shuttle service located in Columbia MO that gave us door to door service. Clint and Tilson traveled to St. Louis driving themselves and leaving her car with family.

Our flight was leaving St. Louis Lambert Airport, December 15th at 5:15 A.M. and I thought a night in an airport hotel would be the best because of the early flight – that way we would be rested and we would not have to rush.

Good Lord, I guess I was so excited because I woke up at 12:30 am – two hours before our wake up call. The excitement was palpable so I got the my children up early and we gathered our things to head to the airport. I am so happy we got to the airport early because the line in front of American Airlines was already forming. We get in line and I decide I better way my suit case. As most of you know we are allowed one checked bag that we pay $30.00 for at checkin. A personal bag such as a purse and a carry on. My suit case weighed 58 lbs and they can only weigh 50 lbs. So with no shame or embarrassment – I open my suitcase and we start moving things into Clint and Tilson’s carry on. I can see my kids shaking their head and trying not to laugh as I unpack and repack my things so I could be under 50 lbs . We end up making it just under the 50 lb limit and head toward security.

Our flights were on all time and we had no real problems traveling, beside a lot of turbulence from St. Louis to Miami. Scary turbulence – eye popping turbulence. As we finally settled into our seats and the flight attendants began serving beverages, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that we made it.

In Antigua we had about an hour lay over before we onto the very small plane that took us to Montserrat. As we waited during the layover in Antigua, I couldn’t contain my excitement for the final leg of our journey.

We arrived in Montserrat around 6:30 pm and it felt good to be back. The warm breeze and the familiar sights welcomed us as we stepped off the plane, signaling the beginning of our long-awaited – over due vacation. Clint and Tilson took a different flight and arrived about 30 minutes and they got through customs just fine.

Waiting for our arrive was Joelford Silcott of Monk’s Taxi Tours and Bus Service. He was so sweet he took us to Victor’s Grocery to do a little shopping. I let the Makayla, Clint and Tilson go through the store and pick out what they wanted to eat – our total bill was $635.00 EC – at first that is little shock, but in reality it was $235.18 US dollars. As we all piled back into taxi van, I could already feel the stress and worries of everyday life melting away.