DWAYNE MCLEOD, STAFF REPORTER

Sharon Stewart shows her 'umbrella taxi'. - Norman Grindley

Have you ever heard of an 'umbrella taxi'? If not, just check some residents of St Thomas, several of them saw it necessary to solicit this service yesterday.

While many were busy going to and from, securing what they thought necessary, during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav through eastern parishes, one resident of Yallahs in the parish, Sharon Stewart, used the opportunity to gain some financial benefits.

She put her umbrella to good use and escorted several persons to various destinations, for the right price of course.

She did so for as little as $30 or higher depending on the length of the journey.

Sweet idea

Stewart, the mother of three girls, aged 18, 14, and 10, said the idea popped up in her head moments after it started to rain. "Mi jus' deh home an' di rain start fall, an' mi come up wid di idea," the dark, stout 30-odd-year-old woman said before admitting she would use her profits to purchase snacks for her children.

Though not dressed for the weather, her short black dress and a pair of black flip-flops did not hinder her from guiding and sheltering at least 15 people in as little as 20 minutes.

"Mi deh yah 'bout three quarter hour now and mi gone bout 10 people already," she boasted of her unusual service.

Shopping finished

Stewart left for more business again before returning about 20 minutes later with a smile as wide as her umbrella. "Most a di people dem done shop and gone now, but mi done buy di snacks dem and sen' dem up aready," she said before heading into a bar to have a drink and chat with friends.