This is the lady that writes this column every month and to whom I am extremely indebted. 
Please stop in at Tuesday Happy Hour at the Crow's Nest to say ¡Hi! and have some free snacks. the webmaster
 

Hi everyone,

Hi Folks

What can I say, this is more than Island Time, seems like it is really hard for me to make any sort of deadline these days – oh well, that’s life. When I was in Vieques the end of February, it was absolutely fabulous! The weather was perfect, actually a few days were almost summer hot, but the nights were cool enough for a long sleeve shirt and sleeping comfortably under a blanket. There has been enough rain to keep the island lovely and green but not enough to ruin vacation time. Downtown is still torn up and there was talk that the road to the ferry (right at the Mar Azul) was going to be closed and that ferry service might move out to the old Navy Pier temporarily while the road was being worked on. I have not heard as to whether or not this has taken place – it was the usual story that every week you heard it was going to happen in 2 weeks so who knows.

Although I was in Vieques for 10 days, the longest amount of time since June, I still ran out of time to get things done. I did get out to Casa Vieja Gallery for the new exhibit of photographs by River Karmen and Andrea Baldeck. I loved the exhibit, the photos were wonderful, and I especially enjoyed the things that River has in color. It was also a wonderful experience to see lots of people that I rarely cross paths with while I am home. Eve and Alec are offering art classes this season which I am sure are wonderful – if I had any artistic ability I would probably sign up just for the therapeutic value if I was on island full time. If you have never visited the gallery be sure to make time on the weekend to stop in, in addition to the great pieces of art, the space is amazing. You won’t be sorry! Following the opening at the gallery I stopped at Banana’s for the Friday night dance party! Andy Plesser, a part-time resident was guest DJ that night, spinning an “oldies” party. There was lots of energy upstairs in the tree house with the patrons dancing the night away. As I run out of energy early these days I did not make it a late night but it was sure fun. I may have to make it out there for other dance parties! During my time on island I did stop in at the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust to check out Dave Krueger’s “Vieques Horses” photo exhibit. I had seen the exhibit in NY months ago but he had some new pictures in the trust that were great. Dave has been photographing the horses for years, it is his therapy as he loves the peacefulness that the animals bring him when he gets to escape NYC. The Trust has been having lots of great events, especially their House and Garden Tours. If you want to see what some of the great houses look like, sign up for one of the tours. The tours feature different homes and gardens and it is a wonderful experience for visitors to see what island life is like. They also have some great gardening classes and this month a bird walk with Dorothy Gemmil, who, if I am not mistaken, comes every year to basically inventory the species that are on Vieques. Again a visit to the Trust would give you more information on this.

Although you would not think that St. Patrick’s Day would be a big deal on Vieques, there are a few places that will be having parties. First you can have breakfast at Café Mamasonga’s with Michael Ellison, Ute’s Irish husband. If you get to spend any time with him, he has a wonderful sense of humor but as it will be crowded in there don’t expect fast service that day. There are a group of guys that come down from Boston each year and they usually start the festivities at Mamasongas. They bring green t-shirts down for about a dozen people that party together each year. I have been lucky enough to be included on this shirt as I have been one of their bartenders over the years! The group will spend some time at Al’s Mar Azul and for sure will spend time at El Sombrero Viejo where it will be Happy Hour all day long. Mr. Kuhn also has a limerick contest at 6pm which should be lots of fun, with the winner getting a bottle of Baileys! The Palms at Bravo is also having a Beer and BBQ Pool Bash that night. Thomas always does something special so it should be quite the night at the Palms, and you can swim so bring or wear your suit. Oh and more news, Reenie has given up bartending at the Mar Azul, as we get older those late nights take a toll on our bodies so…… as things work out she now is doing some nights at the Palms (closes around 11pm) so you can visit her there. I did not get out to the Blue Moon Bar at Inn on the Blue Horizon yet but they too are having a St. Pat’s Party. I know they have done lots of redecorating and have heard the bar area looks delightful so it should be a great party on that side of the island. Hopefully on my next visit to the island I can get out there and try lunch or dinner at Carambola, also at the Inn on the Blue.

While on island last month I did get to eat at bbh where Chef Chris, at my friend Richards request, prepared a special vegetarian menu just for me. Imagine my surprise when the night started with carrot-beet juice! All his food is amazing but to have 3 things made especially for me was awesome. Whether doing lunch or dinner, bbh is truly one of the more magical places on Vieques. One of the most amazing things about Vieques is that most of the Chefs can and will handle special requests if they are given enough notice. They need the notice because they may have to get ingredients from the main island so if you have special dietary needs call well in advance to see if restaurants can accommodate you. I also had dinner at El Jardin, where I kind of cheated on my diet but did get to have one of Manuel’s martinis. I fell in love with his martinis when he worked at Uva, he then moved out to the resort where we would go visit him, and now he is making up some new recipes at El Jardin. This is a lovely addition to the island, very small but the food comes out fast. They do not take reservations so they do appreciate you turning your table over to other diners. I also went to Uva to see Carlos, one of my favorite chefs on the island. They have redecorated and the new colors inside are very inviting. Uva has always been one of my favorite spots as far as food and upscale atmosphere. I also made it out to Mbar another favorite restaurant of mine. Although they are known for their steaks, I can enjoy pasta there and it is always fun to catch up with Randy the bartender. Mbar will be moving soon downtown next to Uva, Chef Juan does not have an exact date yet but said to watch for the move later this month or early next month. I also visited Carmen at Mucho Gusto, who makes the best rice and beans, and hers are vegetarian. What I really miss is her beefsteak with onions but maybe someday I will start eating meat again. And of course, more often than not, my day began at Roy’s Coffee Bar where I enjoyed a bagel and cup of tea or coffee. David sure filled a void when he opened the coffee shop/martini bar! I also did lunch at Bananas which is always fun because you are sure to see someone you know, or someone that you flew to the island with! I missed getting to Café Media Luna and Tropical Baby, both favorites of mine in Isabel and Trade Winds and Bilí in Esperanza. One of the new places I want to visit is the Cheesecake Doghouse Café which I believe is doing breakfast and lunch and is located next to Tiki Hut. The owners also are doing the Antique Shop over there which should make for fun browsing. Tiki Hut is also doing breakfast, lunch and dinner and you can bring you own beer, wine, etc to the ice pit at dinner. Prices are pretty good for feeding a family.

I got to the beach a few times also, Red Beach is always a favorite but we also went out to the beach across from the old base on the western end, past the pier. This was a very peaceful spot to just sit and enjoy reading, not a great swimming beach. Because of all the drugs that have been put into my body, they do recommend that I avoid the sun so my trips to the beach are usually late afternoon. The sun felt good and getting a bit of sun on my bald head felt wonderful! I am careful and do wear sunscreen because even though it is late in the day, you can still burn so always wear sunscreen when you go to the beach. Some of us that live on the island don’t go in the water until after Easter; it is too cold for us! Well I found that to be true when I went out to Playa Grande with a friend, we went out for a doggie play date and the dogs loved the water but it was definitely too cold for me!

There have been some thefts at the beaches this season so Fish and Wildlife does have some recommendations to keep you and your things safe at the beach. This information is available in Vieques Events which you can download at www.viequesevents.net. Petty theft is common in any vacation destination so although it seems like paradise when you are sitting at the beach, you need to be careful. In past seasons we heard mostly of thefts at the beaches or in rental houses, this year we are hearing of more local establishments being robbed or vandalized as well. I do know that the Alcaldia (city hall) was broken into last month and at the time they were uncertain what was taken from the Dept. of Finance office. Also Uva restaurant was broken into and I know that the computer was taken. I heard but did not confirm that one of the school buildings on the plaza was broken into and several computers were taken. I also just learned that Nales Hardware  Store was broken into. This is definitely more unusual so it is a bit disturbing to hear of so many problems in the past few weeks. So whether you are staying in a guest house or renting a house, please use common sense and keep doors locked and your things safe. It is very unlikely that you will have a problem on the island but even less likely if you are aware of what is going on around you. So keep your eyes open, doors locked, valuables out of site and protected, and be aware of your surroundings. We all want you to be safe and have a wonderful vacation but you need to be responsible also for your well being. So be smart and be safe.

I am hoping to be on island the middle of March. My doctors were happy with the last CT Scan and had me see a radiation oncologist who has decided he wants a PET Scan before deciding what to do next. I was looking forward to getting to Vieques for 2 weeks but that did not happen. Some unexpected abdominal discomfort has kept me in Pennsylvania- gall bladder problems have so far been ruled out thank goodness. My doctor has me on some medicine that seems to be taking care of the problem and hopefully he will tell me that I can return home for a week until I come back for the PET Scan the end of March. I will then meet with my oncologists again and hopefully we will come up with the next step. Elí, my partner in Vieques Events, will be finishing up his treatment in Houston and is planning on returning to Vieques the 15th, another reason why I would like to be home. We both feel very strongly about supporting this years’ Relay for Life at Sun Bay the end of March. All the money that is collected for the American Cancer Society will be earmarked and used in Vieques.

Unfortunately I have to be back in PA the weekend that it is taking place but I will be there in spirit. I have attended the past few years and made donations. I have even walked the final lap on occasion with the teams. It is a special event and deserves to be supported by residents and visitors. I hope that those visiting the island at that time will attend and witness the wonderful community spirit that thrives in Vieques.

Be well and enjoy your stay on our lovely island. The calendar of events follows.
 

Judy

PS: If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter or have any feedback please email Ask Judy. Thanks.  askjudy@enchanted-isle.com 

<click here for the archives>

 If any of you would like to see something specific in this newsletter please contact the webmaster and I will do my best to investigate for you. 
Email: whats_happenin@enchanted-isle.com 

BACK

Past Articles

Page Design by:
Positive Image Graphix © All Rights Reserved
For information on your own Website:
E-Mail: webmaster@positivimage.com
Site was last revised: 01/26/08