Birthd(el)ay card
Oh, happy day! A Beaconite was beyond delighted to receive a birthday card from London this week. The fact that his birthday was actually in May and said card had been posted way back in early April added an unusual twist to the occasion, but it did not diminish the joy felt. But why on Earth did the card take more than seven months to get from the British capital to the Virgin Islands? Alas, it will probably always remain another of nature’s little secrets. The Beaconite, however, can reassure the VI that it isn’t alone in facing such challenges. While sending an important document from the United Kingdom to Bermuda, where he previously lived, he became concerned that despite using a well-known courier company and paying handsomely for the privilege, the package was showing no signs of reaching its destination. When inquiries were made with the firm, the reporter was told, “It’s resting in Memphis for four days.” In exasperation, he responded by asking, “Resting in Memphis? Is it having a mini-break? Has the package booked a tour of Graceland by any chance?” Like the VI card, that document made it in the end, so one can only live in hope. And the Beaconite is now looking forward to receiving his Christmas cards just in time for his next birthday in May.
Culture
A Beaconite always enjoys talking with residents about the territory’s history, geography, ecosystem, culture and more. When she was attending the recent launch of a new tourism manual, which was commissioned by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission, she spoke to some Virgin Islanders who were not tourism stakeholders but were nonetheless thoroughly interested in the presentation. When she asked one woman what attracted her to the event, the attendee replied, “This is my history, my culture.” The woman was surprised by the Beaconite’s question, because it seemed so obvious to her why she would attend. Because why wouldn’t she? The reporter was not surprised by such a response either. She has found that many residents, especially those who grew up here, are eager to learn more about the VI. It is also clear to her, after learning about the Department of Archives and Records Management, that there is a plethora of historical information about this territory just waiting to be uncovered. She hopes that more of the information that is already known and available can reach all residents and tourists who are interested.
Joes Canyon
Change is in the air. As problem sections go under construction, the road up Joes Hill is narrowed to a single lane just in time for tourist season. A Beaconite is so smitten with the return of six-wheel trucks carrying shipments of cruise passengers that he is basically unbothered about risking a head-on collision with each trip. Surely, the tour bus drivers missed the Beaconite as well? He imagines they can’t help but smile when he zips past their lumbering custom cruiser carriers. Or maybe they shake their fists. If the latter is accurate, he proposes that the unfair survivability ratio between his motorbike and their multi-ton vehicle permits whatever behaviour is safest. They don’t have too much room to talk anyway: The driver of any vehicle that simply doesn’t fit in a single lane in the Virgin Islands must take special care to avoid the danger they inherently bring when pulling out onto a road. The territory’s roads are simply unfit to host the tour busses, and they’re even more deadly when under construction. Despite the increase in risk, the Beaconite is nonetheless pleased to see the roadwork. However, he wishes the entire road would be closed and torn up to be fixed all at once, rather than piece-by-piece.