This Week on the Island 06/07/2009

'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 (click to enlarge) is ‘Me’. Dressed for the 65th anniversary of D-Day. I have on my ‘Panama’ hat made in ‘China’, my ‘American Flag Shirt’ made in ‘Korea’, my cargo shorts, made in ‘Bangladesh’ my Birkenstock sandals made in ’Germany’, standing between my Suzuki made in ‘Japan’ and my Hummer made in ‘America’, walking my ‘Siberian’ huskies and living in Key West, FL that belonged to the ‘Spanish’ for about 300 years. It is truly an international world.

Weather: June 1st started the hurricane season and the rainy season. The forecast for the next 5 months will be ‘hot and humid with a chance for rain.’

No book this week.

Things Tourist Say: ‘Does the sun always set in the west here?’

Another slow week (not a lot of tourist), I love it.

Sassi (the husky) has visited the vet twice this week and cost lots of money. She went the first time for an infected foot and then again for a hot spot. So she couldn’t walk and she has a big spot on her side that is shaved. She is better now and the hair will regrow on her side.

The island of Key West is divided into 3 large areas: (1) New-town, from the triangle to the light at Palm Ave; (2) Mid-town, from Palm to White Street; and (3) Old-Town, from White to the water front. In Old-Town you have the Meadows (near the graveyard), Bahama Village (past Whitehead Street), Truman Annex (behind the fences), etc, and the different parts of the Navy property around town have their own names. It seems we like to divide and name things. I am sure it is the same in your town.

The graveyard. It was once over near White Street Pier, but a hurricane left a lot of bodies washed up so it was moved to the center (high point) of the island. The ground here is coral and very hard, and the water level is near the surface, so we bury many above ground in crypts. The graveyard is divided into many different areas: The Battle Ship Maine area (‘Remember the Maine’, the battle cry of the Spanish-American War), The Jewish area (religion after death?), and last but not least the crypt just outside the Jewish area with the epitaph ‘I Told You I was Sick’. Lots of people visit our graveyard and it is a very pleasant walk.

We started ‘Pride Week' this week (used to be Gay Pride Week). Lots of activities across the town.

Key West, You have got to love it
'Living the life that others dream'
Doug Bennett
Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

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Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow_l9kgPmuQ