Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“You got a green card?”
“I do, but Gavin here doesn't.”
“That's OK, we won't tell anybody, right? You need work?” he asked, removing his cap
and scratching the back of his head.
“We really do; we are very broke,” I replied.
“Go and anchor your boat. Go to the store and pick out five work T-shirts and shorts and a
cap; tell them I authorized it. Report for work tomorrow at eight, here's a hundred bucks for
food. We will start you off at seven dollars an hour and take it from there; see you tomor-
row South African twins.” He had a winning smile and evidently made snappy decisions.
“Well, can you believe that?” I said incredulously, on the way back to the boat, “A place to
stay for free, money for food and work clothes, and a job in the first hour on land! Hey, this
certainly is America, the land of opportunity!”
We were untying Déjà vu from the splintery dock when a friendly couple arrived in their
dinghy waving at us from the dinghy bay. We waited for them to tie up as I wanted to ask
them about the anchorage. They were a weather beaten, elderly couple from Washington
en route to the South Pacific and around the world.
“This is a great place to spend a bit of time stocking up and sorting out any problems with
your boat,” he said, “but I wouldn't want to spend any more time here. It's got some odd
characters that are a little strange. There have been a number of incidences where the Mar-
ine Police have been around and arrested a couple of low lifes; there was even a guy here
who was arrested for shooting at the jets taking off from the airport!”
As he said it, we were prevented from further talking as the relative peace was shattered
by a shrieking jet taking off and flying overhead so low that one could almost see the pas-
sengers looking out. The tortured engines were so loud that you had to shield your ears to
protect them from the painful noise. It was unbelievable.
His wife continued when the jet had gone. “That's pretty obnoxious, isn't it? You get used
to it though; they fly overhead all the time especially in the morning and afternoon.”
She continued, “Yes, and I would keep your boat locked, you just never know. There are
some lovely folk here too though, and I'm sure you will meet them all in due course. You
might consider staying in the Marina; at least there it is all locked up, and you'll have your
own water and electricity.”
“What does it cost a month?” I asked.
