Slept late this morning!
Sun already up! Bright! No breeze. Palm tree just standing there. Water not moving.
And humid!
I walked the waterfront yesterday morning. Trying to get back into good health!
Parked my car at Paradise Cafe. Then walked over to the water. My route took me by Dante’s, the back side of Half Moon, along Turtle Kraal, the backside of Waterfront Market, along Schooner’s Wharf, outside the Conch Republic, by Alonzo’s, across the street to the Galleon, around the Galleon dock and then back again along the same route in reverse.
A good solid 30 minute fast walk!
I was soaking wet from the walk. Bought a bottle of water at Paradise and sat and read the papers. Later I had lunch at Paradise. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The best!
Then to Borders for some book reading. I glanced through a work on pre Castro Cuba. What a place!
The question presently is two fold. Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?
Many here in Key West believe the opening is coming. And soon! And that Key West will benefit economically!
We shall see.
I stopped into the Chart Room last night. I was all alone by the telephone. The bar was empty!
Peter had already been in and gone. I called Marty on the cell. He was in Miami.
So I was alone!
Two tourusts came in and saved me. Andy and Anikue.
Andy and Anikue are from Brooklyn. Their fifth visit to Key West. They love it! They have always stayed at the Pier House.
Andy is a paramedic at a New York hospital emergency room. He runs the whole operation. Five emergency vehicles and a staff of 50 odd persons. A big responsible job!
I learned a lot about ambulance work and paramedic activity. Whether a trauma, heart attack or whatever, these people are our immediate initial chance for survival!
Anikue (that is her name!) was an attractive lady! As lovely as her name! Her job is the most important of all. She is a stay at home Mom of 3! And proud of it!
My dinner was wings at Kelley’s bar. Good, as usual!
Then home to an early bed.
I have a screw off day in the making! Nothing on my plate! Good!
I hope you can squeeze some do nothing time into your day!
"Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?"
It could be detrimental to tourism in Key West, as well. (Glass half empty/full?) Although I'm sure there will be some nautical transportation businesses spring up to provide lovely cruises from KW to Habana and back. Potential.
KWBound a.k.a. Deanie
"Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?"
It could be detrimental to tourism in Key West, as well. (Glass half empty/full?) Although I'm sure there will be some nautical transportation businesses spring up to provide lovely cruises from KW to Habana and back. Potential.
KWBound a.k.a. Deanie
The cruise lines have been ready for many years to take their cruise passengers to Cuba once it opens up. There are just so many places to go in the Caribbean and the industry needs some place that is new and different to offer it's clients. Key West would be a perfect part of that cruise itinerary and one that cruise passengers always enjoy. Bear in mind I've been in the cruise industry 25years and the discussion has been ongoing the entire time.
The cruise lines have been ready for many years to take their cruise passengers to Cuba once it opens up. There are just so many places to go in the Caribbean and the industry needs some place that is new and different to offer it's clients. Key West would be a perfect part of that cruise itinerary and one that cruise passengers always enjoy. Bear in mind I've been in the cruise industry 25years and the discussion has been ongoing the entire time.
Yes, Lou and everyone, I am in total agreement. The phraseology simply always used is "when Cuba opens up" rather than "if Cuba opens up", as I've happily noted when in Key West!
Oh, how glamourous it sounded to my young ears whenever my Uncle Fred and Aunt Betty shared tales of the Cuban dinner clubs and musicians from their vacations!
And, sweetly, my uncle was fond of both having and sharing those big Cuban cigars!
Yes, Lou and everyone, I am in total agreement. The phraseology simply always used is "when Cuba opens up" rather than "if Cuba opens up", as I've happily noted when in Key West!
Oh, how glamourous it sounded to my young ears whenever my Uncle Fred and Aunt Betty shared tales of the Cuban dinner clubs and musicians from their vacations!
And, sweetly, my uncle was fond of both having and sharing those big Cuban cigars!
I think it will suck money out of Key West. Those that travel here will want to go over there for a day or so. Every minute the Key West tourist spends in Cuba is money not spent locally. I really think this is gonna be bad for us–at least in the beginning; however, what do I know.
Ammie and myself may be out tonight at Hot Tin Roof visiting Val. I may break this tradition for Harry Potter… I have not decided.
I think it will suck money out of Key West. Those that travel here will want to go over there for a day or so. Every minute the Key West tourist spends in Cuba is money not spent locally. I really think this is gonna be bad for us–at least in the beginning; however, what do I know.
Ammie and myself may be out tonight at Hot Tin Roof visiting Val. I may break this tradition for Harry Potter… I have not decided.
Want to see more money spent in Key West by cruise ship passengers? Allow them to stay in port later into the evening. They always remark they want to see the incredible sunsets. Just think how much more money would be spent if the ships didn't depart until midnight. Restaurants, gift shops etc would all benefit. I have had nothing but positive comments from my returning clients that have ported in Key West and many have gone back for to stay on land for long weekends and more. The proximity of Key West to Cuba is a plus for Key West.
Want to see more money spent in Key West by cruise ship passengers? Allow them to stay in port later into the evening. They always remark they want to see the incredible sunsets. Just think how much more money would be spent if the ships didn't depart until midnight. Restaurants, gift shops etc would all benefit. I have had nothing but positive comments from my returning clients that have ported in Key West and many have gone back for to stay on land for long weekends and more. The proximity of Key West to Cuba is a plus for Key West.
Unfortunately having the cruise ships stay later means that only their passengers can watch the sunset as the huge, hulking ugly boats completely block the view for anyone else. It has been well established that the majority of cruise ship passenger spend next to nothing in Key West, they do not eat at the restaurants, or shop in anything other than Swift and/or Israeli owned business's. Let Cuba have them for a while. Good riddance.
Unfortunately having the cruise ships stay later means that only their passengers can watch the sunset as the huge, hulking ugly boats completely block the view for anyone else. It has been well established that the majority of cruise ship passenger spend next to nothing in Key West, they do not eat at the restaurants, or shop in anything other than Swift and/or Israeli owned business's. Let Cuba have them for a while. Good riddance.