CHRISTIANSTED — When the world is running down, you make the best of what’s still around.
At least that’s what the rock group The Police used to sing.
Although it would be hard to argue that Coca-Cola is a necessity.
Seeing as St. Croix is virtually out of it — some are saying that, well — it is.
Outside of Plaza Extra East in Sion Farm and Gas City in La Grande Princesse vendors say one would be hard pressed to find the elusive can of Coke.
“Gas City got one of the last deliveries on Friday,” a source close to the Coca-Cola company said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Even then they only have the 20-ounce bottles.”
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Peter’s Rest has a shipment waiting since Sunday via Crowley Maritime, but because soda pop is considered a luxury item, it has been held up at the docks.
Food, water, oil and lumber are considered necessities after an emergency, such as the one presented to the Virgin Islands by Hurricanes Irma and Maria — but Coca-Cola is not.
Shipping experts said if Coca-Cola had been smart, it would have loaded its trailer with enough Dasani water (also a Coke product) their shipment might have flown through the ports in time to quench the island’s parched throats.
Sources close to Coca-Cola said that there was a chance the world’s most popular soft drink could be available in 12-ounce cans today or tomorrow at the earliest.
If it’s true everything goes better with Coke, people on St. Croix better hope it gets here soon — rum and Coke might never be the same if it doesn’t.
In the mean time, it’s just one of those things people will have to do without — thanks to back-to-back hurricanes, poor planning and misplaced priorities.
Your best bet if — you’re looking for the Holy Grail of soft drinks — is to go to the biggest supermarket on island — and keep your fingers crossed.
Mom and pop convenience stores are likely to leave you wondering why Pepsi — which is outsold by Coke 10 to 1 — is still in abundance.
Maybe if we hum a few bars of The Police’s hit “Sending Out An S.O.S.” — someone will get our “Message In A Bottle” — or can that is.
