The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 2 of 6)

/p> p> NO NEED TO SHOUT IT br> Re: Bill Croke's Rocky Mountain Bohemia : /p>

One fine Winter not so long ago, I just up and left City Life to go to the Bahamas. I worked on boats, acted as the "supply guy" who somehow knew who to call to get those hard to find items and helped practically the whole island who had the means to get connected to the Web and trade e-mail and set up websites for their little B&B or Fishing Camp. Life wasn't particularly difficult; sandals, shorts and an Aloha shirt were considered dressy, food was plentiful if you could deal with fresh fish, lobster and conch, and the temperature never got remotely cold. Why do I not identify this place? Well, the night of my going away party, one of the Old Timers took me aside and asked conspiratorially,

"Do you like this place?

I answered, "Well, yes!"

He smiled and said, "Shhhh!" complete with finger in front of pursed lips.

Now, I thought about this just a little. You'd think that people who lived on tourists would want the word spread in the States about the idyllic paradise just a short plane flight away. The old timer had a point though, a stampede of wretched American Tourists (Not Anti-American at all. Just get on any Cruise Ship. You've seen them and been revolted too) would ruin the place and drive living expenses up for everyone, not to mention essentially killing their town and island culture. I kept quiet, and still do.

p>So, from the voice of experience, "Shhhh!" br> -- Robert Wood

topics:
Trade, Television, Catholicism, Abortion, Environment, Law, Alaska, Oil, Unions