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Hi everyone,

Sorry that this is really late – all I can say is that side effects of a new medicine have disrupted my life but hopefully I am getting back on track.

I have not been on island for over 3 weeks but when I was there it was business as usual. They had just gotten a nice heavy rain so the island was green. I have been told that there have been regular scattered showers, good news to those that live there. Typically this is the dry season, often hillsides go up in flames during brush fires. Not only is this dangerous to the neighborhoods but it makes the island look unattractive. So although it might be your vacation please embrace the rain a bit while it lasts. Okay you are allowed to be frustrated if it rains heavily for a few days – we miss the sunshine too when it is absent from out lives! But should you encounter a rainy day – curl up with a good book, head to Roy’s for a great cup of coffee, stop at any of the establishments along the Maleçon in Esperanza and enjoy a tropical drink, visit the Fort, try a typical Puerto Rican lunch at one of the local restaurants, visit the Vieques Historical Trust, schedule a Spa Day at the resort or see if one of the independent massage therapists can come to you. Basically just chill and relax because chances are you won’t see much rain.

Although this subject might get me is some hot water, I think it is still important to mention because we are getting feedback from visitors. In the past month there has been some “anti-American, anti-tourist” graffiti written on the streets. First this does not reflect the way that the majority of the local people feel about visitors. Keep in mind that from Christmas – Easter is our busiest time of year – that means little parking available, more traffic, longer lines in the grocery stores and at the gas stations and it gets frustrating for residents that are not prepared for tourism growing so quickly. The island is really not quite ready to handle the large crowds that are arriving so it becomes a bit more stressful for locals. The other thing that locals see that they did not expect was property values increasing at the speed of lightning. They feel like their island is being sold to the highest bidder and in some cases it is. In some cases property values have quadrupled in 3-4 years. Granted this has put more money in many peoples pockets but for working class Viequenses, they are beginning to wonder if they will be able to buy property. Many people do not understand that this has happened in other destinations as well, they just see that they fought hard to get the Navy to leave their island so they could have some of “their” land back and now outsiders are coming in and buying up available land. We hear other stories of visitors who come to look at land making insensitive remarks like “Viequens better get used to the fact that the Americans are coming to take over their island”. One couple announced this in several establishments, with no regard as to who could hear them. When locals hear comments like this they have to wonder if all Americans are feeling the same way. There have been reports that visitors to the island have gone into the restaurant or DNR offices at Sun Bay to complain about the loud music at the end of Sun Bay. Those of us that live there understand that Sun Bay has been the favorite spot for celebrating birthdays and family gatherings for many, many years. This has been the family beach as it was always open to the public. Many Puerto Ricans will openly admit to being loud while they are “partying”, they like their food, beverages and especially their music. This is part of their culture. If loud music at the end of Sun Bay bothers you (and this will only happen on weekends usually) then pack up and go to another beach. Really there are only a few of you and if you are on vacation you have 5 other days that you can enjoy Sun Bay.

Although I hate to stay with negatives, this is something too that is important to mention. With all the extra visitors to the island petty theft is also a problem this time of year.

• We remind people to not take valuables to the beach or leave them in your car.
• Stay with your things at the beach, do not leave them unattended.
• Make sure that you keep guest room/guest house doors locked at all times.
• Most of you keep your house locked at home so just do the same here.
• Paradise does have it’s price as well.
• Understand too that the thieves will likely target a visitor to the island because even if they were to get caught, few people will fly to and from PR to prosecute.

Although this petty theft does not happen a lot, compared to the number of people visiting the island, we do not want it to happen at all. There is much poverty on the island which certainly does not make stealing okay, but in Latin countries in general, thievery is common. Be safe and you will have an awesome vacation in Vieques. Oh and by the way – I have never been robbed in Vieques, however, I foolishly forgot to lock my checked bag at the San Juan airport and at some point between San Juan and Newark my I-pod and digital camera were stolen. I know it was foolish to put them in there but my carry-on bags get so heavy with carrying my Penta Water and supplements and medications, plus I can’t check my computer so…………….. Unfortunately I just don’t have the strength to lug around lots of extra stuff and although those items don’t weigh much there is limited room for them with all the other stuff that I have to carry with me, So make sure you have a TSA lock for your checked bags.

One thing we do have is amazing restaurants! Some are pricy and some are very reasonable. Per capita I doubt that you will find the variety and quality of food anywhere else that would compare to what is here. For great meals (and a bit pricier) try Café Media Luna, bbh (best value and located at Bravo Beach Hotel), Duffys Chez Shack (am hearing great things and also he is open for lunch I believe), Martineau Bay’s Paso Fino (try specialty nights too), Uva, Mbar (moving downtown to Isabel II), Tropical Baby (very casual but great food-good prices) Trade Winds, either restaurant at Crow’s Nest – Island Steakhouse for a bigger meal and El Jardin for a lighter dinner, Carambola and Blue Moon Bar and Grill (I still have not gotten there but hearing some good things), and for high end Puerto Rican food try Bilí at Amapola. Bananas is famous for lunch and casual food, and you will likely run into someone you met on the plane or at the beach at Bananas. Another great breakfast and lunch spot is Café Mamasonga’s near the ferry dock, huge portions for not much money. One of my favorite spots for dining (okay it is 40 steps from my house too) is Coconuts but you only have this month to enjoy it. The property is for sale and Lyman is heading to massage school I believe in May. Mr Sushi will head back to NY for the summer then will be located at Bravo Beach Hotel this fall when he returns. So not sure what will happen at Coconuts when it is sold but hopefully new owners will keep it casual and reasonably priced. I love eating at Mucho Gusto and also at Taverna Española but keep in mind that these places are sometimes slow. At Taverna order a pitcher (or 2) of Sangria to get you through the wait. Don’t be shy (but please be pleasant) about asking for another beverage – you will get good food but not the customer service you might expect so with that in mind go for the food. I have heard the same thing about Topacio, located just outside of Isabel II towards Santa Maria – awesome food but takes a long time and waitstaff is not attentive about getting you beverages while you wait. In these particular restaurants few on the staff are completely bi-lingual so they can feel intimidated when waiting on people who do not understand Spanish. Talk slowly and clearly and be patient and you should get along just fine. In Esperanza try lunch or an early dinner at El Quenepo, although I don’t get there often I have had good food there. For dinner try Tito Bloque, he is on a side street and hard to find but there are several people who feel this is some of the best local food on the island but again I have heard some negative comments about the service. When I am on island I usually stop at El Patio, even though they put a ham bone in their beans when the cook them (I try to be a vegetarian most days) I love the flavor and enjoy seeing Sonya (the owner) and Edgar, the head guy during the day. I have not eaten at Shaunnas for some time but they had the best roast chicken and potato salad available on the island, cafeteria style and very inexpensive. I keep forgetting about Richard’s Café but this is where you will find many of the local Viequenses eating, but wear a sweater – it is the only air-conditioned restaurant on the island. Unfortunately most restaurants are not very vegetarian friendly but if you are a vegetarian definitely visit bbh (lunch and dinner), Tropical Baby, Mr. Sushi (while he is still there), MBar does a nice pasta and several places do vegetarian beans which are always filling. You can also call ahead to the restaurants to see if they will accommodate special dietary needs. They have done it for me on occasion with enough notice and they also know that I will gratefully eat whatever they make for me! Chef Paul at Martineau Bay has told me that he would be more than happy to make something special for me. Chef Carlos at Uva also has some things on the menu that I can eat but again with notice will make something for me. Don’t be shy about calling or stopping by to see the menu – once you talk to people working they will tell you if the kitchen can make something special for you. They may need a few days because of when orders come in but by asking at least you will get an answer and not be disappointed. With all that in mind you should be able to get great food on the island and sometimes even great service. And although we shouldn’t have to make excuses keep in mind that it has been a long, hard, demanding season on wait staff and with housing prices increasing drastically we are not getting the transient people the way we used to so everyone is working full time (with overtime) to make sure that you will at least be able to eat.

April is often the month of the mass exodus of our winter friends. Many of the “snowbirds” head home this month and many of our transient staff also leave to take some time off before their summer employment. It is always hard to say goodbye to our good friends as they head north. One of the hardest parts of living here on Vieques is getting used to the transient crowd. They become so much a part of our life that we hate to see them go. Some come back for a few years, some may come back to vacation and some never return. People sometimes comment that many of us that live here don’t appear to be very friendly to newcomers/new homeowners – well we are guarded because we never know how long these people are going to be in our life. Sometimes it is easier staying aloof than getting close to new people. And considering that Vieques can be a difficult place to live. It is not suited to everyone. You must be laid back to survive here. You must have an open mind and not say that things would be better if……… The island has a great energy to it, the weather is wonderful and there are fabulous people living here but the ones that truly love the island don’t like seeing the changes come too quickly. Most of us are not against change but, we just want changes that benefit the entire community.

We all wish you a safe, happy and fun visit to our paradise. Please don’t take my comments as negative – I just try and be as honest about what is happening on the island as possible. If being informed makes your visit easier, then I have done you a service. If I don’t mention the petty theft and nobody else does – then we have not done our best to keep you safe.

For those that are interested in my current health – well they have started me on a maintenance drug called Pemetrexed or Alimta. I have had a hard time with my first dose but that happened when I was on the heavy chemo (Sept 05) so I am sure that I will be able to manage the side effects better as I go forward with these treatments. I get this drug every 3 weeks so the good news is that if all goes well I can spend 2 weeks at home in Vieques and about 1 week in PA. Because of the side effects and the price of airfare to the island before Easter, I missed getting down there in the past weeks. I get very homesick when I am not in PR. Luckily if all goes well I will be there for 2 weeks beginning 4/21. Thanks to all of you who keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I really appreciate it. Also I have great news to share, my partner in Vieques Events, Elí Belendez (also co-owner of Crow’s Nest and Crow’s Nest Realty) had his check-up in Houston and they found no sign of the tumor that he had! He will now go back every 3 months for a check-up but does not have to do any more treatment at this time. We are all very excited for him.

The calendar follows and I hope to get a May edition of Vieques Events out while I am on island.

Thanks for your patience,

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 

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