Dream Catcher | Taking Stock

Taking Stock

Hello and happy holidays where ever you may be. Sorry for the recent communications black out. We are in Georgetown, preparing to enjoy the holiday with some close friends.

Since we last spoke a lot has happened. First off, a large 15 foot Caribe dinghy with a 70 horse, 4 stroke Yamaha was stolen from the back of our boat. It wasn’t ours, but rather a friend of a friend’s and it has done nothing for our love of this once beautiful, quiet little community. I filed a report with the police, but I have absolutely zero expectations that they will do anything about it. Fast forward to this past Sunday and another, larger 27 foot boat with a brand new, 250 hp, 4 stroke Yamaha was stolen from the nice folks at Saint Francis resort.

We found the boat early the next morning, but it was completely stripped of the running gear. Another report to the police and still no action at all. On an island of less than 5000, someone knows something. It strikes me as exceedingly odd that only ex-pats (read: white people) are being stolen from. This brings the total to 11 boats stolen since September. And still the police do nothing.

Add to that the extremely xenophobic attitude of the current government and you have a once beautiful locale rapidly turning in to a "wretched hive of scum and villainy" (Star Wars reference). I’ve honestly stopped recommending Great Exuma as a place for people to visit. As soon as it is realistic we are leaving. I never thought it would come to this, but the place here just isn’t safe, friendly or even remotely inviting any longer.

I’m not sure where we’ll be heading, but it will be away from here. I’ve gotten free of a couple of things that have been consuming most all my time, so I hope to post several more back-logged updates soon.

More to follow, end of line ….

William 03.01.2016 18:03:39

I find it sad, but predictable. In a population of 5k or less, it amounts to a small town in the US. Everybody knows everybody's business. So you are right. Not just someone knows something. Pretty much everyone you meet there knows who is doing this. The sad part is that by there silence they are condoning their own destruction. As fewer and fewer people spend their time and money in that place it will have its inevitable impact. I believe at some point they will look back on the "good old days" and lament your absence. It is human nature however to push things to the limit. All those boats in such a short amount of time is certainly doing that. I would leave and never come back. That is the greatest amount of harm you can do them. No more of your money. If you can reach others, then no more of their money. If you can convince the annual rally (cant remember what it is called) from using that island even better. It will bankrupt an entire island in a couple years. Then perhaps the police (who know who is doing this) will put an end to it. As always, too little, too late. But it may happen. Anyway although you enjoy a really pretty environment, my sympathies go out to you. Sometimes it just sucks to be me. Sometimes it just sucks to be you. I really appreciate you logs. Please keep them coming. I apologize for being so long winded this time. I am not usually so.

William

Gordo 08.01.2016 18:34:30

Good update. Great website. Did a derecho pass through your vicinity?

Al 06.01.2016 19:31:28

Tom, it is sad to hear about conditions there in Gtown. Perhaps you and Amy could start a petition drive to get all the boats to sign and have a meeting with the authorities to voice the complaints. If you could get a few hundred people to show up it may help change things.

Good luck,

PS, I was looking at some old pictures yesterday with you holding a couple of spinies in one hand and a Snapper in the other and I was thinking you don't want to give that up since you already know we're all those critters live.

Al

Jim 07.01.2016 18:23:15

Alaska should be on your list for at least a tempoary destination.... visit in March, we're participating in the "Over the Top" snow machine ride from Tok, AK to Dawson Canada. The weather should be perfect; probably won't be less than -10... or so. Machines are ready. Stay safe my friends

Al 13.01.2016 19:21:54

It's been 26 days since your last post, I hope you didn't get blown away when that big squall came thru!

Taking Stock

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