Island Ennui

[SamFamAustin]

I guess I'll start a new rant because I don't like the old ones, and this is something I think is a serious issue: island ennui. Some go stark raving mad from it, although 99 percent of us simply deal with it and are fine.

After living nearly 5 years on a sandbar for an island, I can say it has been an interesting experience. In the off season, the isolation is complete, and many locals hide in their shacks like land crabs, enduring the power outages and boredom. The local food is OK, but it's like after fried, fried, burgers, burgers, more fries and maybe a pizza, you're about to scream for some real food. You watch your best friends as their business starts floundering in these hard times, and wonder about the whole game. Fortunately, we didn't get a couple of hurricanes to really mix things up.

The main antidote is simply to travel, to see something besides the same old island. This can be expensive but even the local doctors say is essential. But whenever I travel to big cities, I am appalled by the traffic, smog, nasty people, jerk drivers, and simply how darn ugly my old towns and cities have become. This does not help, and I return back to my island nest saying "gosh, back from that rat race, whew."

So don't get me wrong, living is paradise is the best move I ever made, the wife loves it, and it's a great excuse for the kids to come down to visit. We're hoping for grand-babies! But the affliction I'm talking about does sorta happen. It grows on you little by little.

My antidote ... would be to keep meeting new people and to stay active. Many people who get 'island ennui' stop even going to the beach (yikes!). And don't dwell on the negative, because that's another sign of the disease. Funny, we were just celebrating the birthday of a real islander who turned 95 years old, and he is still horny as a billy goat and funny as the day is long, and can drink with the best of 'em. He is always happy, and looks people in the eye like he really cares about what you say. Now that old man, he's got it right.
sammie

[BahamaAngie]

Good post! You are right though. One time frame, I was working so much, we never got to the beach and then one day I said "duh....that is why we moved down here." So we tried to get there more often. My friends have been down here for over 40 years and go to the beach several x a week and then every day for 2 months in Hawaii. They know how to live....That man sounds great Sammie. Nice to know someone like him. I bet you will be the same way!

[Agurs Wish]

Sammie,
I put our house in MX on a house exchange site. You'd be amazed at how many people want to stay in a house on the beach. I've had offers from all over the world. Beautiful houses and I just have to pay for airfare and food. It would get you off the island for awhile.

[SamFamAustin]

Sammie,
I put our house in MX on a house exchange site. You'd be amazed at how many people want to stay in a house on the beach. I've had offers from all over the world. Beautiful houses and I just have to pay for airfare and food. It would get you off the island for awhile.

Gosh I love old Mexico, if that's what you meant. It seems more dangerous now and I haven't fooled with going down there in the last two years. I had TWO honeymoons in Puerto Vallarta (same girl), loved the borders, and like the coast down in those little fishing towns by Tuxpan.

But lately, if it's not a business thang or visiting my parents like in the Abacos, I simply drive. I don't know why, as I used to love flying. It was fun back then, especially before 9/11. Now I hate it with a passion. It's not that I've become a hermit or anything, since I do drive to Austin, Mississippi, and even Maine. I haven't been to Colorado in a while and am threatening the Puzo clan at some time too. It's only about 25 to 30 hours. :eek:
sammie

[Patti Puzo]

Gosh I love old Mexico, if that's what you meant. It seems more dangerous now and I haven't fooled with going down there in the last two years. I had TWO honeymoons in Puerto Vallarta (same girl), loved the borders, and like the coast down in those little fishing towns by Tuxpan.

But lately, if it's not a business thang or visiting my parents like in the Abacos, I simply drive. I don't know why, as I used to love flying. It was fun back then, especially before 9/11. Now I hate it with a passion. It's not that I've become a hermit or anything, since I do drive to Austin, Mississippi, and even Maine. I haven't been to Colorado in a while and am threatening the Puzo clan at some time too. It's only about 25 to 30 hours. :eek:
sammie

We've been in training for quite some time....;)

[Blue Moon]

I would come off my mountain to the flat lands to that sammy in winter coat, goves and one of those cute little beanies to keep his ears warm!

[SamFamAustin]

Can't wait for some snowdrift snorkeling and ya know, those wore-out Crocs really have some ski potential. I do have some surfing wetsuits to make me look really awesome as I do the "boonggie slide" down the mountain. But honestly, please, don't dress me up with "beanies" OK? :eek: :D :)

[BahamaAngie]

Too bad we all live sooo far away. We could to a Forum Board meeting like they use to do AMB. Would be so coool to have one 1/2 way somewhere being we are not all in Abaco at same time.

[Patti Puzo]

There was a mini-forum meeting in NC a couple of years ago. Lots of fun!

[boatbum]

We spent all of last Winter in the Abacos, and upon returning to the states, we tied up at Jeckyll Island to review the historical district. We elected to walk from the marina to the area.
We found ourselves on a busy two way paved road with cars flying by us.

This after walking around most of Guana via the beaches, just about all of Elbow, Green Turtle and various other small cays we visited via the dink.

It was horrific to be back home. We have slowly re-acclimated and soon we'll be back down there. I think becoming re-acclimated to the Abacos is going to be a bit easier on us.

[BahamaAngie]

There was a mini-forum meeting in NC a couple of years ago. Lots of fun!
I remember that and the pictures!:)

[Hank g]

Well said Dan. I guess most of us would consider our home areas "normal", though maybe also hectic. The antidote is a couple of weeks in Abaco, where we might get acclimated to an easier, less stressful environment. There are many good reasons that most folks are unable, or not willing, to consider that Abaco may be more normal and our various lives at home more abnormal that we would like to admit.

I think Susie and Al, Patti Toler, Eddie and Patti Davis, Mark and Patti Gonsalves and many others on this board have very successfully adapted to the lifestyle and changes required to live more-or-less full time in Abaco have it right. I'm trying to get to a point to be able to live there for much of the year, but I do know that it requires lots of going there first and really considering many issues I hadn't even thought of the first seven or eight times I visited.

Thanks for all the help Dr Ralph, Papanasty, Sammie, Sandy, Tina, various Pats and Patties, those mentioned above, and everybody else who contributes just out of their pure love for Abaco. I'll see you around the first of November for a few weeks, then again for a longer time in early Spring.

Hank

[Blue Moon]

where will you be? there are a handful of us there the beginning of november

[Hank g]

Hi Shae,

I'll be at my cousin's house this time, Cat's Meow, across from Dewey and Erica Russell. I know where your house is and I'll look you up.

Hank

[Patty&Rudi]

Hank,

We'll be up the hill at Coconut Cottage - just up from Dewey and Erica, starting November 2nd.

[Hank g]

Hi Patty and Rudi,

I've been following your building process and move, and I look forward to meeting you both. See you in about three weeks, eh?

Hank

[Patty&Rudi]

Sounds good Hank - we'll be there! Stop by!
Maybe we can arrange a grand meeting with Shae too!

[Summerview]

Hey, this is starting to look like forum get together, where do I sign up??

We also look forward to seeing everyone. :D:D:D:D

[Patty&Rudi]

Maybe PM me your number, and we'll call over to Lubbers and we can all pick a date and time!

[PELLUCID]

As I seem to be doing zip-de-doo-dah with the fairer sex in Fort Lauderdale, I think I will be back in the Abacos sometime in November. Nothin' to keep me here, that's for sure!

If a Forum thang happens then, let me know, I will be there.

[Patty&Rudi]

How early in November, Bob?

Looks like Hank is in Hope Town for a few weeks, so I'm guessing until the 15th of November or so?

I like potlucks - maybe we can do something on the 8th, the Sunday?

We get in on the 2nd, and I know we'll want to go over to Marsh Harbour to do some banking and food shopping, and we're busy on the 5th and 6th from 10-3...

So - we have hijacked this thread! I will move it to a new one.

[Blue Moon]

Ok looks like we are set at sea spray... I know cats meow, next to LL will you be going over with Capt Curtis in their boa or your own?
Patti and Rudi your place is up the hill from there and right on the brand new cement roads for the new development.. everyone is close to each other after all the island is tiny right? see ya in a few weeks.

[SamFamAustin]

Can I rant now? You're killin' me. I wish I could be there so quickly. My folks won't be down on Dickies Cay quite yet, early to mid-December. Waaaa!

[Hank g]

Shae,

Curtis and I are scheduled to take Miller Boys back over Nov 1. If the weather precludes that day, I will probably go ahead and fly over. Either way, I'll be there that weekend.

Hank

[abacobob]

Shae,

Jane and I will be down for a couple of weeks starting Nov. 7th. Seaspray sounds good!

Bob

[Blue Moon]

ok all the day is sunday the 8 at 4 at sea spray
a mini forum paoolza
skip, walk or boat see ya there

[Tingum]

The "Tingums" have been safe all summer on the mountain. Did not go over 100 miles away for the first time ever. Now that it is leaf season our friends have brought us colds and sniffles. We will be back on GTC just in time to dress up like goblins and jump into the fun!