This Week on the Island 10/14/2007

'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.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is 'Shrimp Boat Sounds', Jimmy Buffett recording studio on the Key West bight. Another place the Parrotheads will want to visit when they get to Key West for MOTM (Meeting of the Minds) the first of November.

The Weather: Lots of wind the first of the week, lots of rain on Wednesday, beautiful the rest of the week.

This weeks books were 'Hunter's Moon' and 'Key West Connection' by Randy Wayne White. Two murder mysteries in the Key's.

Last Saturday, Key West had a road cleanup project. The local Parrot Head Club (135 members) volunteered to help. 5 (including Jo and I) showed up and of those only 1 was a Board member. Pitiful!

Last Sunday was Italian in Bayview Park in celebration of Columbus Day. The weather was beautiful.

Some friends from Chicago were in town and met us at Schooner Wharf on Saturday.

I love Key West, but it isn't for everybody.

People come to Key West on vacation and have a wonderful time, then they want to move here. When you are on vacation and get up in the morning and have a Bloody Mary, it is wonderful. When you live here you better NOT be doing that, you better be getting ready for work. On vacation you walk Duval Street or fish all day. When you live here you work all day. On vacation you go out to dinner and then party. If you live here you go home for dinner and watch TV. If you try to live here and party like you are on vacation you will not be able to work tomorrow and you will lose your job. If you drink too much and lay in the bushes, no one will bother you. In Key West we leave others to their own life style. If you become a drunk, no one is going to send the little old ladies from the local church to save you. After you lose your job and your house and are living on the street and pass out on the sidewalk, we will send the police and they will find you a place to stay on Stock Island for a few months. Key West will chew you up and spit you out. Most people don't make it 6 months before they decide they need to get 'off the rock'. Some of us have self discipline and can enjoy life here. We spend our days working around the house, riding our bikes, kayaking, volunteering for charity, etc, etc. The trick is to stay busy in a healthy way. I enjoy partying when friends come to town, but then it is back to the old normal routine.

Key West is tough. Come here and find a place to rent (one bedroom apt for about $1,200 a month and that does not include utilities).(Our water and electricity come from Miami and are not cheap.) Find a job and get paid minimum wage, then find a second job so you can make ends meet. Most jobs are tourist related so you will probably be laid off in the summer, so save every penny you can. Get around on a bicycle, you don't need and can't afford a car. Find a roommate and share the rent and utilities. If you make it 6 months, then you can start looking for a place to buy.

Hurricanes, need I say more?

Key West is wonderful! The sun shines. People are on vacation and happy. When it rains it is only for a few minutes at a time. The summers are hot and humid. The winters are wonderful with no humidity. The water is beautiful. The people are friendly. You can get a job fishing. You can get a job walking tourist on tours, or even bicycling tourist on tours, or peddling tricycle cabs carrying people to their destination. You can get lots of interesting jobs dealing with people. How about driving the Conch Train and telling tourist the history of Key West. How about a job tying up the cruise ships when they come into harbor. How about a job as captain of a catamaran going to the Dry Tortugas. Key West can be wonderful! It all depends on you and your attitude.
Come on down! Enjoy yourself. Have a wonderful time. BUT if you want to live here, be prepared. Go to http://zipskinny.com/ Key West is 33040.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Meet me at the end of the road' - Conky Tonkin'- Jimmy Buffett

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

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