The Seven Totems of St. Thomas

One thing that always stuck with me was that one episode of Season 2 of You where Love's friends tell Joe about the Seven Totems of Los Angeles. According to them, if you saw those 7 things it's a sign that you're a true denizen of LA and can NEVER leave. It turns out to be bullshit though because by the end of the season Joe isn't in LA anymore. I'm not considering that a spoiler. Season 3 is out and if you don't know he didn't settle down in LA you're way behind.

To recap, here were the 7 Totems of LA:

1. A Rollerblader in booty shorts
2. A police helicopter
3. A pack of coyotes
4. A palm tree on fire
5. Two starlets wearing the same dress
6. A dog in a stroller
7. An off-brand superhero

Then I was reminded of an episode of How I Met Your Mother where the gang talks about all the things you have to do or have happened to be considered a New Yorker.  Here's that list:

1. Spotting Woody Allen
2. Spotting Maury Povich
3. Stealing a cab from someone who needs it more than you
4. Crying on the subway and not caring what others think
5. Killing a cockroach with your bare hands

Important to note that the first 2 items were more implied than stated but I count them anyway since they were established in the episode.

Photo courtesy of Duffy's Love Shack Facebook Page. If you're in town you should check them out. It's a unique experience. I just wanted something totem-like to give this entry some color. Back to the task at hand...

I don't know why but this got in my head today and I wondered what would be the totems of St. Thomas.  I thought about it and came up with 7 Totems (one for each flag that has flown over the USVI). Here's my proposed list:

1. A lone person playing a steel pan or steel drum

It's not uncommon to see huge groups of people playing the steel pans and drums. In fact, the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra is very popular and well known. You could go years though and never see a soloist running around. 

2. A bar in an obscure or weird location

Most bars are in regular, well known, well traveled locations. They're their own building or part of a mall. Occassionally though you're going to find on in an obscure or weird location. There's quite a few here that fit the bill. You just have to be willing to do a little exploration. Notable examples include Percy's Bus Stop, West Zanzibar, Brooks Bar and The Rum Hut.

3. A mongoose and an iguana in the same location

We've got 'em both, but good luck seeing them in the same spot or within a few moments of each other. It's surprisingly not a common sight.

4. A WAPA lineman working the pole

We lose power. A LOT. But you'd still need to spend time here to even catch a lineman on a pole. It's a common sight but not common enough that you'd see it every day...or even ever week for that matter.

5. A non-traditional boat

Boats, yachts and ships are a dime a dozen around the island. Good luck spotting one that's...different. One that you would see uncommonly is the Kon Tiki. You won't see it every day though.

6. A mocko jumbie outside of the Carnival season

Like the steel pan/drum, this is mostly Carnival fare. There are rare occasions though where you can see on outside of the Carnival season. Most people that live here have.

7. A tourist driving in the wrong lane

There are actually a few great spots to see this happen, but this is an uncommon event...and tourism season is only so long. I last saw this happen about 2 months ago.

What do you think of my list? Is it worthy? Is it missing something? Lemme know.