So, You Want to Live and Work in Vieques..
by Sheila Levin*

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Vieques- July 2009 NEW

Living and Working in Vieques..

• Living and Working….

I see it is close to a year since I have written a column. One reason is that I finished my novel. It is now making the rounds of agents in New York – easier to walk on coals than find an agent.

The recession has hit Vieques in the usual ways, fewer tourist, sparking the trickle down effect of fewer diners, buyers etc. Fewer houses sold, people are more careful with what money they have.

The W is opening (soft) in November and is taking reservation for January. Rooms seem expensive so we are all waiting to see how that works out for the rest of us. One ting is a famous restaurant will open there, a three, maybe even a four star restaurant. Hard to believe that a mere twenty years ago a great meal was a medium burgher at Bananas with home made fries.

The Mayor is making some waves; it remains to be seen if her ideas will find favor with most of us.

The early part of the summer has been unusually hot. I do mean hot. None of us long timers can remember it ever being this hot. Climate change?

Despite the financial conditions, new places are opening. Peters is now at the Crow’s Nest, Chef Michael is cooking at Coconuts, a new Mexican restaurant replaces Media Luna, A “Marina” with a bar that serves pizza and a host of stores in Esperanza is drawing crowds, along the Maleçon, especially on weekends, carts sell tee shirts, shells, jewelry, a fabulous fresh fruit stand is open on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of GE, On Tuesday Wands sells exotic bread and baguettes there, In Isabelle Carlos, formerly of BBH, has a great store that sells specialty food, cheeses, meats, veggies.

Although it is only July, reservations for next years are strong – a good sign. In addition, despite the slightly depressed atmospherics, we cannot help but be struck by how lucky we are. The flamboyant are in bloom, I scored a bag of fabulous mangoes off the tree yesterday (wit the owners help and permission, the ocean is a pool of joy.

It is a wonderful life here, we are lucky, we know it.

Since my novel, with considerable assistance from Eli Belendez, may never be published so I attached it here for anyone who would care to read it. Notes, opinions even suggestions would be welcome.

Download "Musical Chairs" here, please note "all material copyright Sheila Levin".

Sheila

sheilevin@gmail.com

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Enchanted-Isle.Com.

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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.

So, You Want to Live and Work in Vieques.. by Sheila Levin*

Back

Vieques- July 2009 NEW

So, You Want to Live and Work in Vieques..
by Sheila Levin*