h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We all know,(or rather,those of us who excell at geography know) where the Caribbean Sea is. I wonder how many of you know what it's like to live there. Been here, done that. Wonder if you would care to share some experiences? Have lived through two major hurricanes here and don't quite know how many changes of government. Right know the major concerns are equally divided between simple services (i.e. water and electricity) and a political fight with Congress for a small target-practice island in the neighborhood; which, according to sources, shouldn"t be used as such, beacause of environmental concerns, having to do with both people(living) and animals(endangered sea creatures).
Anyone care to comment?

The burning question, of course, is which island? I've only been down there twice, to Barbados and the Caymans, and of course only for a couple weeks as a tourist- but both islands were fairly tame and content to rake in the tourist bucks, though Barbados has a growing drug problem... My ultimate retirement goal is to go and live in a place as beautiful, as warm, as uncrowded and laid back as some parts of the Caribbean- though it sounds like life on your island is a bit tempestuous-in more ways than one.
Any suggestions for the ultimate South Seas hideout? Mok

Well Mok,
I was referring to my island home for the past 15 years, mainly Puerto Rico. We are supposed to be part of the First World, and the fact that everyday life responds to the weather (trust me, it does!!! and with a vengeance, too!) makes me feel that the First World image is illusory, and we are truly a Third World country in disguise. Well, maybe not quite Third World, but a definite Second World. There's a lovely but incomplete posting on the Guide about Puerto Rico, which is factually accurate. You mention a couple of Caribbean tourist island meccas; however P.R. is more of a "working" island, if you get my drift. Sure, a large part of the economy depends on Tourism, but you'll never catch any of our government spokespersons admitting to it (unless they want to justify expenditures on advertisement for the Tourism Department, and yes, they have used Ricky Martin in the past!) The island is heavily into manufacturing and services for the rest of Latin America (we are American citizens and bilingual to boot!) and herein lies the fallacy: How can one expect to be a nerve center for the Caribbean Basin and have electric failures with dismaying regularity (i.e. after a few hours of torrential rains)? How can one be a manufacturing center when you have one sixth of the population without water service for days because a 40 yr. old pipe broke due to lack of maintenance (and an immediate previous "glitch" on electric power supply)?
So, Mok, maybe you'll have better luck finding your ultimate retirement paradise in the South Seas after all(don't they have typhoons???) Just be sure that the basic services are secure, 'cause "life on the beach" can be pretty unconfortable!

The Caribbian looks best from about 50 under water! Many parts are also lovely from the air. However, I spent plenty of time there in lot's of different places. Can't say that I ever care to return to Puerto Rico. And I stayed away from the trendy areas...I saw the REAL
Caribbean. A fellow asked me to marry him & live w/his Mother while
he was out to sea working. It sounded like a dream come true...then I
saw the poverty! I actually had a sandwhich from the leg cut from a goat. The goat was kept alive to use later. Without refridgeration the
family had to do what they had to do! I too have dreams of someday
living my golden years in the Tropics, but WHERE?!? I also saw things that would get you murdered. And our clipper was boarded somewhere in
the West Indies, by whom, I'll never know. You ask no questions when there's a machine gun pointing at your chest! Although I've been active in local politics here in my Village, in the States, I am unable to understand tropical politics! It's odd to be so afraid of an
area that I love so much. The people I met were soooo wonderful! Good
luck with your living arrangements! Peace, Pandora