Saturday, February 26, 2005

This Week on the Island 10/19/2003

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am spending time reading books about Key West, this week I have spent some time reading two books: 'Mile Zero ' by Thomas Sanchez and 'Wind from the Carolinas' by Robert Wilder. 'Mile Zero' is about Voodoo in Key West and 'Wind from the Carolinas' is about the large plantation owners that were Loyalist to the King of England that moved out of the Colonies after the revolution. Some moved to the Bahamas and then went to Key West. Next I hope to start reading 'Reap the Salvage Wind' about Key West old Wreaking Days.

This week was also 'Goombay' which is a celebration of African Heritage. The celebration takes place Bahamas Village on Petronia Street and is free. Lots of food and spirited music and dancing. There was a great parade on Saturday at 5:00PM. Well it actually started at 6:00PM and was only 1/2 block long.

This week is also the beginning of 'Fantasy Fest'. The theme this year is 'Daze of Future Past'. It last for 10 days and ends with a big parade next Saturday night. This island of 25,000 residents will be overcrowded with 70,000 - 80,000 visitors. At 'Fantasy Fest' if it is painted it ain't naked. Lots of people are getting all sorts of paint jobs on interesting parts of their body. Women walk up to an air-brush artist, sit on the stool, strip to the waist and get painted. I enjoy the show. More next week.

The first week of November will be 'Meeting of the Minds' (MOTM) when all the Jimmy Buffett fans (Parrot Heads) come to Key West. More in two weeks.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it.
------------------------------Jim Bo-----------------------------------------------------------Jim was a tall skinny 'dirtbag' . He wasted good air everytime he breathed. Jim was an Officer in Viet Nam and caught a bullet in the mouth as they were getting on a helicopter to be evacuated after a fire fight. Jim ended up in the hospital here after years of being a drunk and when he got out he quite drinking, got a job, and is actually doing well. I am not sure rather he killed off too many brain cells drinking, or if the bullet to the mouth did some brain damage, but Jim is a little 'slow'. It is very rare to see one of these 'dirtbags' make a change toward the better. They usually backslide into their old habits. Jim has been sober for 8 months. I am proud of him.