I promised that I would never open another column with a comment about the weather, but I just cannot help myself. I was watching the news and saw temperatures in New England of 63 degrees, temperatures in the Midwest of 108 degrees and thought, how unpleasant. In Vieques, the temperatures average in the mid to high 80’s this month and there pretty much always a good trade wind blowing to keep things feeling even cooler. So why would you be anywhere else?

If you remember last year’s column for July, I talked about the survival skills necessary to keep your larder full and your car with gas in it during a month with so many holidays, and consequently so few cargo boat runs. Well, the government of Puerto Rico has eliminated four holidays this month and moved them to February in a cost cutting measure estimated to save over 4 million dollars. What does this mean to us, and you when you get tired of either freezing or boiling? It means that July is a great time to visit without being worried about starving to death, or worse yet, running out of Medalla, our local beer.

July is a very, very pretty month here on the island. The rainfall has lessened (oops, another weather reference) and this causes many plants to flower profusely. The most stunning is the flamboyan tree. It explodes with small bright orange petals against almost fern like leaves. The Flamboyan is a native of Madagascar and is able to withstand drought and salty conditions. A example of a very old flamboyan is the tree directly in front of Bananas in Esperanza. The trunk is larger in diameter than 2 people with outstretched arms. Another is in front of Lazy Jack’s, also on the Malecon in Esperanza. I guess this is why the Malecon’s official name is Calle Flamboyan??? Oddly, this makes sense, and since nothing makes sense when you live on a Caribbean island, it is fairly scary.

The other plants that show off this month are the bougainvillea and the hibiscus. The Spanish name for hibiscus is Amapola. The bougainvillea grows in a gnarled manner with the blossoms on the end of long branches that are loaded with thorns. It is beautiful but dangerous. Stop by Duffy’s and I can show you my scars from trimming the foolish things back, which has to be done nearly twice a month. The Amapola comes in so many colors that it is impossible to list them all. Here they are used a hedge plants, container plants or stand alone plants. You will see many girls with amapola blossoms tucked behind their ears. The profusion of color is very dramatic.

Bougainvillea

Also this month, the mangoes begin to ripen. According to local sources, we have over 140 species of mangoes here in Vieques. They range from very sweet with soft edible flesh, to fibrous stringy ones that are best used for juice. The pulp that you have after juicing makes a great facial mask. In fact, you would probably pay big bucks for a mango facial in the states. So just think, you can come on down, juice a mango for use with some rum and then have a free facial. Works for me.

Along with the mangoes, we have avocados, carombolas (star fruit), key limes, acerola (cherry) and bananas. For the next two months or so, we will have more fruit than we know what to do with. Everyone will be slicing, dicing, juicing and freezing. In general, we will all be sick to death of anything even remotely close to a tropical fruit. Can you imagine running as fast as you can away from a margarita? You can help us by visiting very soon and consuming your share.

In July, every restaurant, guesthouse, retail shop and recreational outlet is open for business. There are rumors of specials at various places throughout the month. The best method of determining the truth is to ask your bartender. In true island style, what specials are happening where is a work in progress. On any given day, something new is happening somewhere and the next day it may not be. But really, this is why you love Vieques. It’s a new day, everyday.

Flamboyan in front of Lazy Jack’s

What I have been able to pin down is Coqui Fire’s seventh anniversary on Saturday, July 18. I can remember before Coqui Fire was born. Previous birthday parties have included a cook off in several categories and special sauces for your spicing pleasure. Peter’s Restaurant did indeed relocate to the Crow’s Nest. They have kept the Tuesday Happy Hour tradition going.

La Reina is open Tuesday through Saturday nights with the best homemade chips and pico de gallo anywhere. Stop in for guacamole made table side, some snake bite jalapeños and about 4000 different kinds of tequila.

Duffy’s Esperanza reopened after a two week surprise hiatus. Mikey took a well deserved vacation and decided to give us all one as well. Lyman is back on the bar on Sundays with special bloody marys and a few bar games to keep you laughing.

Lazy Jack’s is open every day serving some pretty fantastic pizza. The area is shady and breezy, and has really, really, really cold Medalla.

The newest vendor on the Maleçon is Green Beach Rentals. They have some great old school bikes with big fat tires for getting to the beach. There are also floats and beach toys. They are pretty much open every day.

July is the best month to sample the local cuisine as well. In Esperanza alone on any given weekend there are about eight food stands that serve some outrageous food at an outrageously good price. You can find pinchos (meat kabobs), pastillos (meat/seafood pies) and all kinds of pulpo (octopus) salad. The stand just past the Green Store heading toward Sun Bay with several tents creating the dining areas has the best garlic shrimp with broccoli, rice and pasta salad for around $8. The portions will cover you for at least two meals. Give them a try.

The Wildlife Refuge has been undergoing some massive road renovation. Red Beach has been closed for a bit so that the road could be completely redone. The main road to Blue Beach, while still under construction, feels like a superhighway. There are new culverts, a wider traveled portion, there are actually shoulders, and bluestone (I think it’s called) has been put down on the road bed. It is beautiful. It can also be very expensive. The speed limit is 15 mph and they mean it. I really mean that they really mean it. The Fish and Wildlife personnel are out there monitoring speeds and enforcing the speed limit. The average ticket is around $250. That buys a whole bunch of happy hour cocktails, so watch your speed.

The Humane Society is launching a 2010 calendar to raise money. If you would like to have your pets picture on the calendar, you can purchase a large spot for $100 or a smaller space for $25. There are only 12 large spots available, so call 787-741-0209 and reserve a space. The shelter has been experiencing a money crunch, so if the telephone is disconnected try back.

When you get tired of being cold or being hot, or when a mango facial and a mango mimosa sound like heaven, hop a plane. We have plenty of great weather and plenty of mangoes. See you soon.

Amapolas