“The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?”
― George Orwell, 1984
I just got off the phone with Judy and Andre. They called to see when we would be arriving in Vieques. They also told me that Vieques has some new fascists running around on the refuge. One told Andre that he couldn't hang his hammock in the trees because it was blocking a path to La Plata? Never mind that Judy and Andre have been going to Vieques for over 20 years and that they help to keep the beaches clean..nope doesn't matter. Is there any place where big brother is not sticking his nose in?
Andre also said that they've torn down the cabanas and that there's NO STRUCTURES allowed AT ALL! I suppose now will have to have a committee to determine what a structure is. He said that they were told that everything had to be natural? Really? You mean, like the 21 "lomos" on the way into the refuge? Or the newly build visitor center or the warnings about unexploded ordinances or all the contaminated areas still left? The same government that literally blew the eastern half of the island to smithereens now is telling Andre that his hammock is a problems and my cabanas are not natural.
“TWO AND TWO MAKES FIVE”
This next trip should be be lots of fun to follow on your blog!! You just don't mess with a guy and his cabanas!!
ReplyDeleteYep...the thing about the way I built the cabanas was how simple (everything was on the beach, no need to take anything) and natural it was. A simple elegant solution to a problem of having some shade as well as a place to hang our bags. Now the government gets involved and everything is complicated 10 fold, sound familiar? I'm still going to construct it out of wood but do it in such a way that the uprights can be taken with us. I'm trying to come up with a design before we leave.
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Ever resourceful and built with supplies found on the beach for goodness sake!! Will be following you. You and Lorrie have a great trip!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about how this will all go! Also, how you will feel about being on the water in Bravos!
ReplyDeleteHonestly we're worried about it. When we're in the hills we can leave the doors and windows open all night and we love that. The breezes up there are just wonderful and we love the vistas from the higher elevations. We've never really been able to hear the ocean so that should be interesting. We love sitting outside in the late evening and just zoning out...taking it all in..the noises, the smells, the ever so luxurious tropical air. We love to do yoga first thing in the morning, so if we're able to walk right out of the house and do our yoga and meditate right on the beach it would be really kewl. None the less as long as we're on Vieques it doesn't matter. Gawd how we love the place.
Deletejust got back from 12 days in Bravos - right around the corn er from where you're staying. The place is FANTASTIC - we took a tour and met the owners! And you're truly RIGHT on the beach! The only things to prepare yourselves for are the sounds of the neighborhood dogs and the presence of the mosquitos, but the view is KILLER. Adrienne sat and meditated every morning with the waves and the view of Culebra and was in heaven (I, unfortunately, was spending that time dealing with my first-ever bout of sciatica, but the trip was glorious). Needless to say, we missed you!
DeleteBon voyage and I look forward to the updates!
Hal...sciatica doesn't sound like very much fun. Judy has to deal with that also. We have noticed the mosquitos and are keeping the house closed. The waves seem to drown out the neighborhood noises. There were some people on horses on the beach right in front of the house this evening, but the owners told us that might be the case. Your right though...it is a killer view.
Deletetake care
We just returned and had the pleasure of meeting Andre and Judy on the beach. I have a feeling I know who they are talking about. Every day we were there we had a visit from an 'official' checking on the beach. We were told that the area where the balancing rocks are is restricted and although there are no signs posted it is OUR responsibility to know this and it wasn't his job to inform everyone. ....and then he went on to warn me to keep my top on! Really! I was laying face down, a towel all tucked around me but my strap was undone. We dubbed him the 'topless police'. This guy was on a power trip of some kind. We spent our last 2 days on La Chiva and no one bothered us. Say hi to Andre and Judy for us (we're the crazy Canadians who had a knife). Enjoy your time on the island.
ReplyDeleteThe topless police huh...my gawd, and what's with the restricted area in the rock art gallery? Seems to me that the waterline is not restricted, at least that's the way I understand it. So glad you got to meet Andre and Judy, they're going to give me heck about all the writing I've done about La Plata. We fly out in the morning and can't wait.
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