Bernard's Taxi Service

We docked in St. Thomas early in the morning before anyone was awake. After a quick breakfast, we busily prepared for a day of sightseeing and shopping, but we had no idea what we were about to meet Bernard.

After taking the ship’s shuttle into downtown, we found ourselves in a sea of island natives, each struggling to make a living off naïve tourists all too willing to fork over big bucks for anything even remotely tropical looking.

There we stood, all 10 of us huddled together discussing our next move. Each voice blurting out must see locations or attractions.

That’s when Bernard approached. Bernard is a six foot black man in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He was neatly dressed, wearing glasses and an NYPD cap. He gave us all a big smile and offered to help with directions at “No Charge!”

After listening to the different places we wanted to visit, he produced a map out of nowhere and began helping us plan the day’s adventures. After giving us the Insider’s Scoop on the which beaches we would probably want to see, he made his smooth transition from Good Samaritan to Polished Businessman.

Pointing toward a row of cars and trucks with seating for up to 20 he said, “First thing you’re going to need to do is catch one of those cabs and head to Magen’s Beach. It’s one of the top 10 beaches in the world.” Then came the well-practiced pitch.

“Of course, with a group this size it’s going to cost you about 15 bucks a person each way. And that’s assuming you only want to go to that beach and straight back here. If you’d like, I could take you on a tour of the island, hit some really great spots, and take you to the beach. Later, we’ll end up back here in downtown where you can do some shopping, then I’ll take you all back to your boat. I’ll do all that for only 20 bucks a head…round trip.”

We asked him to give us a minute he nodded and politely backed off. Far enough so that it didn’t look like he was listening, but not so far the he couldn’t hear what we were saying. After a brief discussion and a group consensus that we really like Bernard, we took him up on his offer.

Oddly enough, Bernard seemed genuinely happy to show these American tourists a good time. He told us to pay him after the tour was complete, showed us where to buy some water, loaded us in the truck and we took off.

Along the way up (pretty much everything is up on these islands) he used the PA system and gave us a brief but thorough history of the island. He pointed out different landmarks we could see every now and again as we eased our way up the inclined, cut-back roads that made the serpentine path up and over to the other side of the island.

We stopped at a spot that Bernard said was one of his favorite photos spots on the whole island. As we climbed out of the truck we were face to face with an amazing view. Standing on a small cement wall that had been constructed as a kind of last chance barrier for any motorist unfamiliar with the road, we were overlooking a beautiful mountainside. It was a truly spectacular sight.

From this angle, the road we had been traveling on wasn’t even visible, but the view of the city and the port was spectacular. A lush green mountainside spotted with the occasional house. As we took pictures, Bernard pointed out different landmarks and celebrities’ homes. It was very intriguing to me that Bernard seemed to know the value of most of the homes along the tour. Maybe they were published in some kind of cab driver’s guide to the island.

It was on one of these types of stops that I noticed what was painted on the side of Bernard’s taxi. On an outside panel between two of the rows of seats it said, “Salvation is of the Jews.”

After getting back in the truck and heading off down the road, Melissa, who had also noticed the sign, and I started discussing the theological implications of such a message, as well as Bernard’s purpose for writing this on the side of his cab.

That’s when Russ, my brother-in-law, commented, “Did you see the driver’s side door?”

On the door Bernard had painted a picture of the Israeli flag and a bible.

This was a 2004 or 2005 Ford F-450, a big truck. It has a specially built, covered bed with five rows of seats that each held four to six people. It was easy to see that Bernard has some big dollars invested in his business.

As for the pictures, these weren’t stickers, or some hastily painted first grade quality, one-dimensional drawings. Both the Salvation is of the Jews sign, as well as the flag and bible were professionally done works of art. The quality reminded me of the spectacular car art you only see at car shows or in magazines.

At this point Russ entered the discussion. We tried to figure out if Bernard was Jewish, or if he was simply trying to cover all the bases for the tourists. After discussing it for a while and not coming up with any good answers, we decided to simply ask Bernard at the end of our tour. I mean, if you put that on the side of your taxi you gotta be prepared for questions.

When we got back into the city to do our last bit of shopping before heading back to the boat, I turned to Bernard and said, “I have to ask you one question.”

He gave me nod, a knowing smile and said, “Shoot!”

“The pictures on the door and the Salvation is of the Jews sign were a bit confusing for us. If you’re Jewish, then why have the bible? If you’re not Jewish, then why have all the other?”

Bernard leaned on the taxi, took off his cap and said, “I’m not Jewish, but I am an adopted Jew. You see, Jesus, my savior, he is a Jew and the bible was written by Jews. So when I made my profession of faith and joined the family of God, in a sense I became a Jew. The reason I put these symbols on my taxi is to give me chances in my everyday life to tell people just like you about my Lord and Savior.”

I don’t have to tell you that I was quite impressed with Bernard. While I did the calculations and figured out that, depending on the number of people he takes on each tour, Bernard makes somewhere between 60 and 150 dollars an hour. While that ain't chump change, I don’t think he’s in it only for the money.

Sure the money’s nice…I guess, but after watching some of the other cabbies who, if they spoke English at all, didn’t really talk with the passengers. They all seemed to be more about quantity than quality.

I like to believe that Bernard discovered along the way that being friendly and helping his customers have a good time was not only a good way of doing business, but it made his life much better.

My mother-in-law and father-in-law surprised us by paying for the whole family’s tour, tip and all. However, as he dropped us off back at the ship, Macy wanted to give him a tip that was just from her. Handing him a five-dollar bill she said, "Thank you Mr. Bernard."

He held up his hand and shook his head, “It’s all taken care of little one.”

She told him it was just from her. He smiled, gave her a hug and accepted the money.

I may never go back to St. Thomas, but if I do you’ll find me in the back of a blue cab with Salvation is of the Jews painted on the side.

Note: If you’re going to be in St. Thomas give Bernard’s Taxi Service a call. I know you’ll have a great time.

Bernard’s Taxi Service
“Breathtaking View of the Island”
Specializing in Beach Excursions and Tours of the Island
Bernard Clovis – Manager
(340) 643-0694
(340) 775-4333

Tell him Hugh sent you. He probably won’t remember me…but who knows.