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Vieques- April 2007 NEW
Living and Working in Vieques..
During the months of my partners illness, he asked only that he could have his old life back. He has that now; sometimes too tired, sometimes he has a little cough, but more often he is smiling, laughing, dining with family and friends, renting and selling houses, running the guest house and restaurant , translating Vieques Events and critical to the Vieques Historical Society and thats the short list. With some friends, we are also going on a barge trip through Provence in a few weeks, an affirmation of life if there ever was one.
I deeply appreciate the notes I have received from many of you about my columns while my partner was ill. But he is well again, and now other things are on my mind.
Them and Us.
In the cocktail lounges and dining rooms of New York, I was pretty clear about who was them and who was us. Then, although none of us talked about it, we knew who we were, our place, our class it was simple, we were pretty much all the same. To put it bluntly, we were a monolith a white, upper middle class, democrat (except for me), wine loving,
Art film aficionados, ballet-opera-concert lovers, subscription holders to NY Theatre, NY Times readers ( all seven days delivered to the door), restaurant critics, cross word puzzle experts, bridge players well, you get the picture. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
In Vieques, however, people are not all the same. There are differences, significant differences political and economic amongst the indigenous population. Some Viequense see the expatriate community as helpful to the island, others see it as malignant.
Amongst the expatriate community there are differences also. Some identify more closely with the Vieques left; others deplore the actions that deface the road and private property.
In a perfect world, the difference between people would strengthen the society; even the most pressing financial differences, which is usually what causes all the trouble, could be discussed and possibly resolved. By and large, as I experience it, Vieques is a reasonable place to have differences. There is no violent anti-North American feelings, although there is some small anti-North American stuff that does go on.
Vieques is, as I have said many times before, an egalitarian society. Literally, the richest people are social friends with the working people, and not just nobles oblige but real friends.
But, nevertheless, there is a they here. Language difference, income differences, do exist and sometimes it is hard to know just what lies behind that friendly hello one gets from someone who is working for you.
I do notice that more and more migrs are doing good works, helping out with time and money for a variety of Vieques programs, from the Vieques Historical trust to the first Montessori school. Also, language classes abound, and more people are learning Spanish at a faster rate than ever before.
Real estate has definitely taken a hit not so much in price but in volume. There are very few desperation sales here, so prices have not really dropped much, but this season has been a bust in terms of sales. One exception is former New York Governor Pataki who bought a house after looking for several years. If you are looking to buy, this is an excellent time to consider it.
Rentals, on the other hand, have been fabulous. So if you are looking to rent for next season of in the summer, do it early.
Speaking of summer, it is a constant refrain of mine that winter tourist miss the best of Vieques by not coming here in summer. In summer, the island is in bloom, it is a gorgeous fusion of fruit and flowers. The weather is not much hotter than in the winter, although the water does get pretty warm. Come in the summer, you will not be disappointed.Have a wonderful visit,
Sheila
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Webmaster's Note * Sheila has many hats and is also a published author Her first book was "Simple Truths". She has asked that I put a short story she has written and I enjoyed it a lot, even though it has nothing to do with Vieques. You can download "Knowing" by right clicking on the link.
She is also Co-owner of Crow's Nest Realty with Eli Belendez of the hotel Crows Nest.
Sheila can be reached for a brochure through her web page at http://www.crowsnestrealty.com