Yankees in The British Virgin Islands

After about a month here, it is abundantly clear that Americans are the minority and treated with little respect by many. Canadians here are well accepted as they too honor the beloved queen.  The Irish and Scottish find us more tolerable and in fact sometimes more so than their fellow British countrymen as these Celtic subjects of the queen were put on the front lines of battles in front of the Englishmen.

I met an American, who not only is a neighbor here on the West End of Tortola, but he also hails from the Detroit area.  Don has been on the island a few months longer so this wanderer has found a good resource for expat questions and issues facing Americans.  He has in fact become a good friend.  He "tagged along" with me on my last project.

Kia Sportage

I now have a car and recently found myself wandering to the popular sites of Tortola.  Here is a photo of my new 4 WD ride.

The British Virgin Islands celebrate a summer festival each year and next week this wanderer will spend some quality leisure time at Long Bay.  It is a 5 day weekend so lots of free time to wander.

Nomads, the only frustration is that I cannot share the beauty of these islands with someone.  To see the beauty with my eyes only is empty and tugs at my heart for friends and family to co-witness such tropical splendor.  Although it rains a little almost daily, the sun is soon out and the island glistens in its glorious shades of green and blue.  The ocean is tranquil and beckoning.  I long for the opportunity to dive the shipwrecks and reefs around these islands and shoot some great underwater programs for Caribbean Broadcast Network.  I am now Operations Manager/Executive Producer for CBN Productions.

We are beginning the week long Summer Festival here and a 5 day weekend will be enjoyed for all but the tourism/charter industry.  I will head to Long Bay and lunch at Bomba's Shack with a friend.

The Bomba Shack

Coconut,Conch and KATS

Greetings from Tortola Nomads.  Immigration was trying and troublesome.  Every expat I have encountered shares the same dilemma.  Even the British have similar woes and frustrations over the process.  I have been told to either laugh or cry. 



Nanny Cay Pool



KATS (Kids at the Sea) Regatta

My wanderings took me to Nanny Cay Resort for the 18th Annual Premier's Cup Youth Sailing (KATS) Regatta.  I was on a yacht and the shore shooting the young sailors as they raced for 3 days to determine a winner.  Teams from St. Lucia, St. Croix, Grenada, Antigua, Anguilla, USA, BVI and Puerto Rico competed for the treasured Cup.  Team Anguilla was victorious but all young sailors took home a great experience, new friendships and additional sailing skills.

I am hoping to my wanderings take me to Virgin Gorda to meet with their marketing executives for a commercial.  I hope it doesn't fall through as I have a great idea for their :60 commercial.



30 foot Catamaran being considered for CBN



We are hoping to secure a boat to shoot from and for transportation to the outer islands.  As we will do a show on scuba diving, the boat will also be utilized to that end.

I have indulged in coconut and conch, both plentiful and pleasing to this wanderer.  Your comments are encouraged and welcomed.

Living the Dream

Although it may be easier to pass through St. Peter's gate than to work in the BVIs, I  successfully moved through the BVI immigration process.

As Odysseus sailed from the shores of Ithica, I too leave the comfort and familiarity of  my own shores to venture far from home.  I am now an ex patriot and work permit resident of the British Virgin Islands.  I am a non belonger who literally has no more respect than the transient tourist  In fact many would say that the tourist brings money to the islands and is appreciated where a non belonger simply takes an islander's job.  Just the term, non belonger suggests a notion of being unwelcome and undesirable.  This may be an  issue with the unemployed locals.  Fortunately unemployment is not high in the BVI.

 I was met at the ferry terminal and driven to my new apartment on West End Tortola.
An eerie feeling came over me as a British Virgin islander (my boss, and owner of Caribbean Broadcast Network Limited) drove me to  West End Tortola.  Was I making the biggest mistake of my life?  I have accepted gigs on a cruise ship and on an Atlantic sailboat crossing only to say, "This is not for me."  Would this be any different?  

As I am one of 25 Americans allowed on the island yearly,  I feel a sort of duty to represent America in a foreign land. Although many Americans live here, I will never compromise my heritage or love of country.  God save the queen, but - Oh By God - Bless America.

July 4 means nothing here but a military defeat in British history.  I may next year find myself on St. Thomas for the night and revel in the pageantry as an American with fellow Americans in America.

Nomads, why would I ever take this life, as it is given, with any doubt or deliberation?  I am here and I shall make the best of it.  How many can say they are living the dream; working at what they love to do and living where they always wanted to be?  I always felt that the epitome of success was getting paid for doing what you would pay to do.  Professional golfers are the best example, but I actually feel that way now.  My earnings fail to compare with pro golfers, but the satisfaction of my work and life in the sun gives me reason to believe that I am living the dream.  I work in television .. in the tropics. 
Pinch me. 


the Odyssey continues...