July 3, 2014

Dear Sir:

While recently waiting for my one piece of luggage to be delivered via carousel when I arrived in Nova Scotia (one bottle of Bermuda Gold Liquor), I overheard a fellow passenger joyfully tell the person meeting him about his Bermuda experience.

Naturally my ears tuned in to the conversation.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority could not have written a better script! I could not leave without letting him know that I was ‘ahem’, Bermudian. Whilst collecting my 40oz. of Bermuda Gold I said to him softly, “I am happy that you enjoyed Bermuda”. He responded,, “I always do”. “You have a beautiful country and you people are so friendly, I’ll be there again next year.” I wondered how he managed to feel so good and so positive after spending time in the country where I read, on a daily basis, such negative stuff about that very same country.

My ride from the airport was arranged by a German woman who resides in Halifax.

She, her Lebanese husband, (now deceased) and their Canadian son have visited Bermuda and I, their home in Halifax.

The ride to the hotel lasted less than forty-five minutes, long enough for my Iranian driver to tell me how beautiful, though expensive, my country was.

He heard that from a world-travelling friend who said that Bermuda was the most beautiful place he had ever travelled to (or had the pleasure of visiting), and that the people were very warm and friendly.

He also said, however, that it was the most expensive place of his travels.

My driver spoke favourably of the Bermudian students in Halifax; he had heard of their politeness. Perhaps I should clarify this drive was not a paid fare so there was no need to assume he was talking-up a tip.

Next door to the Waverley Inn Hotel is the View Point Gallery (which houses photography exhibits).

The owner’s husband, Mr. Smith, has visited Bermuda on a few occasions.

Trust me, I did not seek out these people, however they all had something in common, good things to say about Bermuda and its people.

All of the above within sixteen hours of arrival at YHZ.

I hope to see the Iranian driver, the gallery owner and her husband in Bermuda as I gave them an invitation!

Oops, I did not promise them a new hotel with private beach, a new cruise ship for St. Georges or permanent residency.

I only promised that I would show them MY BERMUDA

LLOYD A. WEBBE