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Wow. July 2010.
When I was young I used to think about
where I would be at the turn of the new century. I truly
never imagined that I would be living in the Caribbean for
most of it. I also never imagined that I would think it
normal to be excited to find Belgian endive at the green
grocers or think it normal to take a book with you when you
go to the bank. (In fact, only time I ever read War and
Peace in one sitting was in the bank.) Lots of things in
life are hard to imagine. It is really hard to imagine that
I am writing, and you are reading, the LAST What’s Happening
column.
I assume now, that I have your attention. Whether you are
breathing a sigh of relief and saying “Thank God, or
thinking that your lifeline to Vieques has been cut, know
that you are both wrong. What’s Happening is taking a leap
into technology and is becoming a blog. (I still can’t
figure out why my word processing program doesn’t recognize
the word ’blog‘. It’s not like that word hasn’t been around
for awhile) Anyhow, after writing 30 columns indicating that
Duffy at Chez Shack would be open, and being wrong every
time, it seems prudent to be able to update information
daily.
There are, however, two stumbling blocks to this new
approach. The first is my inability to grasp how to get on
the blog. I tried earlier and was told that I had to try
again later. Hopefully, webmaster Jim Starke will be able to
walk me through this. If not, this new approach will have
undoubtedly increased his workload by at least tenfold.
Secondly, I have a real problem remembering where I am
supposed to be on a daily basis. I’d like to think that it
is because I am very busy, but I am afraid it has more to do
with being so knowledgeable about cocktails. Therefore,
remembering to update the blog may be taxing. But we shall
see.
The first order of business for this last article is to
correct an omission in last month’s column. Coconuts serves
Mojitos and Caipirinhas all day, every day (that they’re
open). I am sure my confusion results from the fact that at
Coconuts I usually drink wine. After sufficient wine, my
attention to detail suffers. I am sure I am alone in that,
right? (see the above paragraph).
July is the party month in Vieques. The children are out of
school, weddings and graduations are over, so there is
naught left to do but hit the beach. There is only one
weekend that is not a long one, which brings with it some
challenging aspects to living and visiting the island.
The ferry system is, at present, even more confusing than
ever. Our passenger boat, the Vieques II is out of
commission. At one point, the old cargo boat was running on
the passenger schedule and the new cargo boat was handing
the cargo schedule. Well, the other day, only the new cargo
boat was running and it has to handle both schedules, which
are diametrically opposed, so nothing runs on time. As of
this writing (see the need for the blog) there are four
boats a day to and from Vieques (leaving at 6:30am, 11am,
3pm and 6pm) during the midweek and three per day on
weekends and Monday holidays (leaving at 6:30am, 1pm and
4:30pm). The 6:30am is about the only one that is close to
being on schedule. Also, the gates that indicate Vieques in
the Fajardo terminal are not being used. The cargo boat
docks on the other side of the terminal. Just ask which gate
to use.
In the old days only the passenger ferry ran on weekends and
holidays. Given the large number of holidays in July, it
meant that many basic goods, like beer, just never got
transported over from the main island. This, of course,
would cause a serious panic and hoarding of Medalla. Now,
however, since we do not have a passenger boat, only a cargo
boat, it may mean that fistfights over the last six-pack are
a thing of the past. It also may mean that gasoline and
vegetables will be plentiful as well. Personally, I am going
to hoard my Medalla and would advise everyone to do the
same.
Having mentioned that July is a party month, you ain’t seen
nothing until you’ve seen Patronales. This year the
island of Vieques hosts a party beginning on the 14th and
running thru the 18th. Patronales was originally a religious
holiday honoring the patron saint of the town. Somewhere
along the line, the religious aspect abdicated in favor of a
town fair type of celebration. There is music and food, and
food and music for five straight days. Wednesday and
Thursday activities begin at 7pm, 6pm on Friday and noon on
Saturday and Sunday. The Plaza, or town square, in Isabel
Segunda is the location for the festivities. You can sample
all manner of Puerto Rican food and every dance step known
in Latin quarters. Not one person will laugh at you if you
join in on the salsa. Trust me on that one.
The location of the party does cause some traffic
nightmares. Several of the streets will be blocked off
making travel to and from the barrios of Bravos de Boston
and Santa Maria a bit tricky at best. There is nothing that
can be done, so just bring a book and a beer.
Last month I was promised the scoop on the new location of
Coqui Fire. So here it is…. Jimmy and staff will be
opening July 6 at Roy’s in Isabel Segunda. Roy’s is
the pink house on the way into town. It is open every
morning for great coffee and breakfast dishes. Jimmy will be
open the normal Tuesday and Thursday nights, with a couple
of Saturday specials thrown in. He has created another new
hot sauce with a sweat factor of 12. Ask about it.
The staff at the Inn on the Blue Horizon have been
working very hard to bring back the restaurant. They are
succeeding. They offer a full white table cloth menu in the
dining room and have a tapas style menu for the bar. The
cheese and meat plate is to die for. They also are open for
breakfast every day. The grounds are beautiful and you can
take a walk around the pool. Everyone is super friendly and
the food is great. It is definitely a place to check out.
Cantina La Reina has changed it’s schedule for July.
They are open Tuesday thru Saturday for lunch and Tuesday
thru Friday for dinner. Upstairs is open to play pool, but
you will have to come downstairs to grab a drink.
The Next Course is open Friday thru Tuesday. The same
is true of the Crow’s Nest and Coconuts.
Coconuts is now open for lunch as well. El Quenepo
is open Wednesday thru Sunday, Bili is open every
day except Wednesday from 11am to 11pm. Bananas is
open every day beginning at 11am. Belly Buttons is
seven days with breakfast served until 11:30 and lunch until
2pm. Mucho Gusto is open every day around noon..
Trade Winds is open every night for dinner and Friday
thru Monday for lunch.
Lazy Jack’s is open every day starting at noon.
Beverly, from daytime at Taverna will be doing some
lunch specials there this month. Looking forward to having
her back in action.
Marge has settled in at Duffy’s. She has put together
some great summer style dishes like Boston Bibb lettuce
wraps with fresh yellowfin tuna. Yum! Another good one is
the arugula salad with green apples, walnuts in a strawberry
vinaigrette, also yum! Duffy’s Esperanza is open
every day beginning at 11am.
For the late time crowd, Lazy Jack’s has something
going on every night, from open mike to karaoke. La Nasa,
in Esperanza, is open Friday night, Saturday and Sunday all
day with Latin music and a back porch dance floor.
You are no one unless you hit Al’s Mar Azul for
Saturday night karaoke. It has been a long standing
tradition at the Mar Azul, much to Al’s dismay.
However, we have a lot of local singing talent, so karaoke
at Al’s is not like listening to fingernails on a
blackboard. (at least most of the time) Larry and Victor,
behind the bar, get the drinks out fast, always with a
smile.
All the Bio Bay companies are in full swing. Don’t forget
that Island Adventures also has a super Puerto Rican
restaurant that stays open after the tour. BYOB.
Elizabeth on the south side and Penny on the north side are
offering horseback riding. Fun Brothers has a
line of scooters along with jet skis for some fun.
A quick word on my two favorite charities. The Vieques
Historical Society and Conservation Trust (VHCT) is
sponsoring a summer camp program again this year. There are
three age group divisions, mini-mantas which are elementary
school age, mantas which are middle school age and rayas
which are the older children. The camp focuses on the
ecology of the island, the importance of conservation, the
sea life that surrounds the island and most importantly
gives the Vieques youth something to do each day. The VHCT
can use any and all support.
The importance of the Vieques Humane Society came
through all too clearly last week when a small dog was hit
by a car on the Malecon. Of course it was a Sunday, but we
were able to reach the shelter manager and rushed BB Muffin
to the humane society. Her injuries were severe with one leg
cut to the bone and much skin loss to one side of her head.
We cleaned her up, bandaged her leg and made her as
comfortable as possible until she could see a veterinarian
two days later. BB Muffin is doing fine. She will take some
time to mend and needs bandage changes every two days until
the wounds heal. Money was raised to pay for her emergency
visit and I want to thank everyone that participated.
Without support from the community the shelter would not
have had the supplies and personnel available to help BB
Muffin.
So, this is it. This is last time my friends will hear,
“nope, I can’t stay. Gotta go home and write my column.” Of
course they hear that every month, and on the last day of
the month. Deadlines are not my strong suit. Which brings to
mind that with the new blog format, I will have more than
one deadline per month. That could be ugly.
To quote Oprah, “the one thing I know for sure” is that
Duffy’s Chez Shack is closed. At least it was closed as of
last night at 5pm. Today may be another story.
(Jim, maybe insert how to get on the blog here????)
Cool Janie! Thanks We’ll get together and I’ll show you how
to access the blog.
The address is:
http://www.vieques-island.blogspot.com/
While you’re at it, join us on Facebook at
Amigos de Vieques.
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