Holiday schedule
Because of the coming holiday, this is the Beacon’s last print edition of the year. Regular printing will resume with the Jan. 8 edition, for which all editorial and advertising deadlines will return to normal. In the meantime, news updates will be posted at bvibeacon.com. Beaconites wish readers a joyous holiday and a happy New Year.
Rubbish
Can’t find a trash can to dispose of your garbage? Don’t blame the government: Blame yourself. It’s your fault! Well, that seems to be the view of Deputy Premier Julian Fraser anyway. After Mr. Fraser used a Friday press conference to urge people to stop dumping plastic in the environment, a Beaconite asked about trash bins that have been removed recently from Cane Garden Bay and other areas. In response, Mr. Fraser took a peculiar approach. Instead of explaining the situation and committing to do better, he blamed the Beaconite for not previously reporting the missing bins. “As a good citizen, if you see something like that, report it: Don’t wait until you come to a press conference and let us know,” Mr. Fraser admonished the Beaconite. Erm, the Beaconite had noticed a missing bin in Cane Garden only a couple hours earlier — and he wasn’t actually aware of the (non-existent) emergency “Disappearing Trashcans Hotline.” The Beaconite came away feeling that he was deep in the rabbit hole of the “magical realism” associated with Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Márquez. Missive to ministers: Don’t blame the messenger — just sort out the mess. Or make way for someone who will.
New face
Having traded one island for another, the newest Beaconite has found old, familiar things to love about his new home on Tortola. Hailing from Long Island, New York, where the beaches pale in comparison, Joaquin Contreras has found the fond memories of his childhood summers in the Dominican Republic in the tropical climes, warm and convivial attitudes of Virgin Islands residents, and the similar speed of life here. A bookworm, gourmand and former reporter in the city that never sleeps, the Beaconite has embraced the lifestyle of the VI as one he didn’t know he needed but is glad he has found. Only three weeks in, it’s the little things that still amaze him: the intimidating hills, the left-side driving, how the diversity of the islanders belies the size of the territory itself. But the sounds and tastes of home are never far. Spanish is always within earshot, and already he has found a good spot for some good tres golpes, cold Presidente, and vibrantly melancholic bachata. The Beaconite has found his calling among the voices of so many, and he is happy to be of service.
Tourist’s-eye view
Like most Virgin Islands residents, a Beaconite has met many, many tourists — both those staying overnight on boats or in villas and those stepping off a cruise ship for a few hours. And in her conversations with them, she has noticed how frequently they mention the kind and welcoming attitude of VI residents. She was recently reflecting on this observation after she joined a group of cruise passengers on a two-hour safari bus tour of Tortola. As residents go about their daily lives, hundreds of thousands of people visit the territory on holiday. Many of these vacationers are loud, drinking and simply having a good time. It could be easy for residents to find themselves annoyed, but it seems that most still treat visitors with warmth and friendliness. This welcoming attitude makes the reporter glad.