Quite a few years ago, I was a frequent traveler to the Caribbean - even though I didn't
spend much time sunbathing ( I loved the scenery, the ocean, the lush tropical vegetation,
the various cultures and the history ) but I never liked the heat so I spent most of my
time in the shade and wearing a "Southern belle" hat, using lots of sunscreen. I guess
that's why I was suprised with my basal cell carcinoma diagnosis. Well, at 66, with
years of looking at the sea, I suppose I could have gotten a bit of sun. Anyway, it
was certainly worth it, I think, to see all the beautiful world that I did!
I was in Puerto Rico,probably, fifty times in ten years. It is a vibrant exciting place
but I loved getting outside the city to other places. One of my favorite places was
La Parguera and the Phosphorescent Bay and Humacao on the other side of the
island. If I had to pick a favorite island, though, it is Barbados. I think it is so beautiful,
with its calm Caribbean side and its wilder Atlantic coast. Not to omit the fact that
my favorite rum comes from there, the dark Mt. Gay variety. I've done a serious study
of rums of the world and, thus far, it ranks at the top. I also like Goslings from
Bermuda, Flor de Cana from Nicaragua, Pyrat from Anguilla, Babancourt from
Haiti, Appleton from Jamaica. Bacardi is not oe of my favorites!
Whenever I could, I took in a folkloric show or saw flamenco or Puerto Rican
dancers - or my favorite singers, Los Kintos, who used to perform weekly
at th Caribe Hilton.
Oh, the memories all this brings back!
