A few weeks ago, a reader of my blog posted a rather “negative”
comment to my “Why We Don’t Like Curacao” (December 2011) entry. She pointed
out that I shouldn’t be so negative when I write and that I should move on when
something disappointing or bad happens and not let “the whole world” read about
those less than wonderful experiences and thoughts. Ha! Since this is my blog and I like to share the good and
the bad and put things in perspective, instead of always raving about all
things awesome, turning my life into an unrealistic tourism brochure, I don’t
agree with her. So… here are some of the less nice or less appealing things
about the San Blas islands. Just to keep the “perfect paradise” seekers at bay.
After my last few blog entries (and the next), one might think Kuna Yala is paradise, and that all I write about
are positive things! :-)
As I started writing about the different San Blas
characteristics that might put people off from visiting with their boat or make
them think twice, my blog became longer and longer up to the point where it was
no longer a blog, but more like an article. It will be published in the
Caribbean Compass magazine later this year. Just to give a little insight, the
topics mentioned are: the difficulty to navigate reefs, dangerous lightning
bolts and storms - like the one last week, and like the one that hit our
friends Michele and Mark’s home last year. They were out of commission (read:
stuck in a marina in Panama for repairs) for five months! - annoying biting
insects (no-see-ums), the inconveniences of being here in regards to food and
necessities, the cost for permits, the tricky anchorages, the many mola
vendors, the lack of social activities and going out scene, the crowdedness of
certain areas, and the difficulty of communication with the outside world. And,
I didn’t even mention the stubborn sharks hanging around our boats and fishing
grounds!
Of course, the positives in the San Blas islands surpass the
negatives by a lot; otherwise, Mark and I would not be here for so long! More
about that in future blogs…
Pretty beaches are not so attractive anymore when you are eaten alive by no-see-ums
Charging the cell phone of a Kuna Indian on Irie
Kuna Yala congreso members collect the fees for being in their territory
Hi Liesbet and Mark,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it is your blog so you write what you want... I think we all (sometimes) kind of fall into the same trap: the mega vast majority of people live on land, and there is just a few of us that dont. So we are kind of outcast, nomads of the sea and all of that... We tend to only tell the real good stuff: the sunsets, the friends, the drinks, the dives, fair winds and waves, maybe to avoid the critics and comments from land: "I told you so, this was going to happen..".... and, "nobody ordered you to live on a boat" you choose and these are the consequences...and more of amongst those same lines.. you catch my drift..I guess, once you live on a boat, we all get those suck moments (related to energy (lack of), mechanics and/or hydraulics), insects indeed, burocracy, the weather.. all of this or a mixture can be at sometimes very challenging.. On the bright side: i then remember the hours i sort of lost in Sao Paulo traffic, the noise in the apartement building, the stench of the city...With that in mind, finding our way in new ports and anchorages, fighting of bugs... it is worth it, very much so... Take care, fair winds
Hello Pieter,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input! At least my cruising peers know what I am talking about... :-)
I think we want to keep telling all the great and beautiful stuff to keep convincing ourselves that we love the life we chose! And, most of the time, we still enjoy life on the water. I just don't like the fact that people living on land think that we are "fortunate" (it isn't luck, it's a choice) or that we are always enjoying ourselves in paradise. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way or more people would do it. When we're honest, of course, we would rather suffer from the heat and the bugs than being part of a routine in the "normal" world. Most of the time... :-)
Hi Irie,
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog while doing research on the San Blas Islands.
I visited the islands last spring and was saddened by what I saw. I discussed this with my island mates, one of which had visited the islands the year before.
I want to write a story on the dilemma between the Kuna Yala people wanting to preserve their culture, but giving into the temptation of tourist money (which is understandable). My islandmates and I discussed the excess trash around the islands and witnessed one woman burning plastic bottles.
If you would be willing to speak with me more about this as well as sailing, I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Kaitlin
Hello Kaitlin,
ReplyDeleteSure, no problem. I'd love to contribute to your article, by sharing some thoughts and experiences about Kuna Yala. Just send me a private email. The address is mentioned in the right column of our blog,a bit down.
I'm curious about what you mean with "your island mates"... :-)
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Liesbet
PS: On the islands, burning garbage is about the only way to "dispose" of it. Many Kunas in the villages just throw their (plastic) garbage in the water!