Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, is the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among other historic buildings, it boasts Fort Christian, built in 1671. It is the oldest building in St. Thomas, but has been "temporarily closed" for some years now. Therefore, you'll be spared the history lesson unless you can read the plaque! Also located in this area is the old customs house, slave market, and subsequent Emancipation Park.
St.Thomas Synagogue is reportedly the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the United States. The congregation dates from 1796 and the current building from 1833. The sand floor is characteristic of Sephardic Carib Synagogues. Evidently this tradition dates from the Spanish Inquisition when it was necessary for the Jewish community to muffle the sound of their services, which were outlawed.
View of Charlotte Amalie Harbor a couple of blocks from the seawall. These islands just go straight up. We had walked up more than 99 steps in those couple of blocks to the Government House when we encountered a stairway named 99 steps which led to Blackbeard's Tower and, once there, one could veer off in another direction and go up more steps to Bluebeard's Castle. And there were steps beyond those steps, as well!
Walking through town there are fascinating labyrinths of original Dutch buildings, lovely courtyards, mansions and wood buildings still in use. Most in town now house duty free shops geared for the cruise ship passengers. Diamonds, gold, perfume, fine liquor, tablecloths, anyone? We spent our cash at a little fruit/vegetable stand on the waterfront. Kudos to the Washington State Apple Commission folks. I don't think there has been one place that we have visited from the Baja on down where there have not been Washington State Apples for sale! I have come to expect to see them in supermarkets, but, in fishing villages in Mexico and Central America, and this tiny fruit stand in St. Thomas?
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, is the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among other historic buildings, it boasts Fort Christian, built in 1671. It is the oldest building in St. Thomas, but has been "temporarily closed" for some years now. Therefore, you'll be spared the history lesson unless you can read the plaque! Also located in this area is the old customs house, slave market, and subsequent Emancipation Park.
St.Thomas Synagogue is reportedly the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the United States. The congregation dates from 1796 and the current building from 1833. The sand floor is characteristic of Sephardic Carib Synagogues. Evidently this tradition dates from the Spanish Inquisition when it was necessary for the Jewish community to muffle the sound of their services, which were outlawed.
View of Charlotte Amalie Harbor a couple of blocks from the seawall. These islands just go straight up. We had walked up more than 99 steps in those couple of blocks to the Government House when we encountered a stairway named 99 steps which led to Blackbeard's Tower and, once there, one could veer off in another direction and go up more steps to Bluebeard's Castle. And there were steps beyond those steps, as well!
Walking through town there are fascinating labyrinths of original Dutch buildings, lovely courtyards, mansions and wood buildings still in use. Most in town now house duty free shops geared for the cruise ship passengers. Diamonds, gold, perfume, fine liquor, tablecloths, anyone? We spent our cash at a little fruit/vegetable stand on the waterfront. Kudos to the Washington State Apple Commission folks. I don't think there has been one place that we have visited from the Baja on down where there have not been Washington State Apples for sale! I have come to expect to see them in supermarkets, but, in fishing villages in Mexico and Central America, and this tiny fruit stand in St. Thomas?
1 comment:
I want a Pain Killer ASAP. Yum!
The photos and narrative are wonderful as usual.
Love to both of you.
Sue Lawless
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