Montpelier Domino Club

On Sunday, I decided that I needed to see the drinking pigs. So, Elan and I set out to find them.

On my way to pick up Elan, I saw a horse with a bird standing on its back. This was probably an omen that the day was going to be weird.

We found where the Domino Club (which ended up being exactly what the tourbooks describe it as: an outdoor bar in the middle of the tropical rainforest) should be on the map of St Croix. It looked like the whole route would be on main roads. This was not the case.

Early into the journey, we encountered a 'road closed' sign. We ignored it, since very few people work on Sundays, so there were no construction crews around. The road was gravel, so it was still easily traversed. Down a way, Elan told me to turn. I verified his instruction, as it made complete sense with how the map was drawn. The road I turned on quickly narrowed so that only one car could be on it... then pavement stopped and we were winding up a hill. An old bathtub was inhabited with lots of vegetation on the roadside. Unsurprisingly, this led to a dead-end. We turned around and my car lurched back down the dirt hill.

Since other side roads looked equally treacherous, I suggested just taking the one nicely-paved road along, even though the map indicated that it would take us somewhat away from our intended destination. The road I chose didn't have a discernable name, but there was a sign at one intersection that pointed down the road and said "Rain Forest". Somehow, I had a good feeling, even though it appeared to be in the wrong direction. After winding under the canopy for a mile or so, we were greeted by a very surprising sight. A big wooden sign was adorned with a swine guzzling a can of beer!
Somehow, we happened upon that glorious place. Unfortunately, the pigs sleep at 3PM on Sundays, and we were too late. (so, this activity will likely occur next Sunday--just around lunchtime).

The bar itself would generally be considered awful were it not for the guzzling pigs. It has character though, and I respect that. However, our "table" was a filthy.... and I mean disgustingly dirt-covered plastic patio table which had an equally unclean umbrella emerging from its center. The bar-tender tricked us both into "trying" a "Mama Wanna". We thought she was giving us a sample of her special drink. At least it was only $1, but it was a god-awful liquor concoction in a little dixie-cup shot glass. The beer that I washed it down with was surprisingly reasonably-prices though! There was also a platter area on the bar that was keeping some scary-looking fried chicken very warm.

After downing our beverages, we took photos at the large stone memorial dedicated to the first drinking pig. I think his name was Buster.

I am very excited for next week when I see them drink.

To top off this day, after our adventure, I was hanging out at Elan's place & we were watching the Simpsons after gorging on some McDonald's. As I anxiously awaited the grand ending of Homer trying to live up to Lisa's expectations, the power in the condo complex went out. I offered some help and then went home (knowing that he might not have power for a long time). Fortunately now at work I have heard that it was restored to him around 1 AM, when every light went on with a blinding flash.