Emilie's new found Paradise in Saint Martin island

by Emilie Marx
(Part 2/6)

I then went to Florida for a short while, back to Europe and then the Caribbean. That's how Sint Maarten eventually crossed my path, after a short stay in the BVI's.
I had been 'frenchophobic' for years, stubbornly refusing to go to any French colony, but I had heard the kiting was good there. The island being half Dutch, I thought it was a good compromise (I had an escape route! Lol)!

I came here free of expectations and what I found (and got) was above any expectations I may have had.

I actually really enjoy speaking French again, I love how the island offers cultural diversity, different micro-worlds (the French side and the Dutch side are radically different) but what surely got me hooked was the quality of the wind and the beauty of the riding sites.
The first time I saw Le Gallion, all I thought was 'wow, what a spot!'

And I still think the same thing every single day I go there (whether it's to kite, surf or snorkel). The island offered everything I was hoping for; wind, waves, a gorgeous underwater world, a very interesting cultural mix and the benefit of French food minus the French attitude! Basically, as close as it gets to heaven!
I have chosen to have evening work to be able to enjoy every hour of day light! Day after day, all I do is play!
I am very lucky.
I wake up in the morning asking myself: "What do I feel like doing? Kiting? Surfing? Go watch nurse sharks and tortoises"!
I feel so spoiled!

I remember I once said: "Paradise is a boring place." I guess I've changed my mind or maybe my concept of paradise... Paradise is actually pretty nice!
This surely is the best life I've ever had. It has felt like an endless holiday since I got here... I plan on making this last forever...

Music?

I'm a big music fan, I've had unforgettable sessions with an Ipod on (and it's definitely one of those things on my 'to get' list!).
This is no longer going to be a secret, but I actually always sing when I'm kiting (which turns out to be a wise idea according that I sound like a frying pan...).
My tastes are very random. I like special artists such as Bjork, Morcheeba, Sublime, I have a huge Aussie music playlist and Powderfinger is one of my faves! Generally speaking, I'm very much a rock chick, still, I will listen to mostly anything, except for hip hop and rap (no go)...

Interested in..?

Art (I still paint, draw, write, do photography, create on a daily basis).
Anything to do with the water (I always was drawn to the ocean and became an open water diver when I was thirteen). These days, its kitesurfing, surfing, snorkeling and swimming with my dog!). I'm a shark freak... Water occupies the main part of my life - if I'm not working or sleeping, that's where I am.

Adrenalin sports in general (take me rock climbing any time - well, any time it's not windy of course!)

Food?

Yeah, tonnes! lol
I eat so many veggies I think I must have been a rabbit in another life! I banned meat for personal (not ethical) reasons some 15 years ago and only eat ocean generated proteins (and eat loads of them!)...
I'm not drawn to junk food but I'm highly addicted to sugar (no to the fries, but yes to the ice cream! And if you're up for a meal made of desserts, count me in!)
I'm a sashimi freak (my favorite food in the world - I could eat raw fish for breakfast!), I love tehina, pad thai and palak paneer, but still think nothing beats my home country cuisine!

Heroes?

Uh? Lemme think?...
Shrek ???
I'm nobody's fan, lol. Even as a kid, I never stuck anyone's posters up on my walls.
My only heroes ever were great white sharks!

It's gonna be hard to put into words here, but there are people who do great things I can appreciate, I however don't think it gives you the whole picture.
Salvador Dali is one of my favorite artists ever and I did have some of his paintings on my walls. But if the work was great, the guy wasn't exactly likable...I like his work and dislike the character.
Some people do great things but that doesn't necessarily make them good people, so I find the idea of being 'a fan' tricky.
I'm funny with this - I don't think that people become better or more lovable because of their achievements. There is what people do, there is what people are, and both don't necessarily cross over (even though it seems they should...).

There are people I admire, such as Rob Steward (who directed 'sharkwater'), Marcel Duchamp (my favorite artist), Milan Kundera (my favorite writer), or Paul Menta (if I am to mention someone in the industry), but there's a lot more to a person than what they do. It sure is part of what they are, but not all of it...

Some people achieve great things and aren't necessarily good people and some people don't change the world but are outstanding characters (who still do change the world around them on a smaller scale').

To read about Emilie's favorite kitesurfing spots and see more photos