Kudos to Crystal Caves

September 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

It is always nice as a Bermudian to gain a new appreciation of our Island home when showing around a visitor who has never been to the Island, especially as the weather of late has left a little to be desired from those who can hardly appreciate our dire need for drinking water. It is even nicer to be so inspired as to return the favour, as this is indeed the way Bermudians used to and should once again treat each other. While contemplating the indoor activities available, my visiting girlfriend and I settled on the Crystal Caves as a fairly decent activity for an overcast afternoon.

Upon arrival at this place I had not been back to since late childhood, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the grounds were well maintained and appointed, the facilities clean and well signposted and the reception warm and friendly. Potentially expecting the all too common tooth sucking hurry up your wasting my time attitude, this cheery arrival set the stage for what was a most pleasant afternoon adventure. It had been so long since I was there that I had not even known of the opening of a second cave on the property and we quickly decided to explore both. We were just in time to join a waiting couple and their guide and set off into the Bermuda depths. The guide was fun, informed and friendly, and kept the mood light and interesting as we learned about this other realm in another world.

When we ventured forth from the first cave the rain was bucketing down and low and behold we were given an on-hand cave umbrella in order to get to the other cave for the next tour. The next guide was also pleasant, conversant and added to the tour in an enjoyable way. OK perhaps I am a little biased due to the sheer joy of having my girlfriend's company to add a little skip to my step, but I offer high praise to this beautiful Bermudian location, the Bermudians who run it and the Crystal Fantasy they provide.

SPELUNKING BERMUDIAN

City of Hamilton

Remember the Kennedys

September 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the Summer Community Programme for Handicapped Adults I write to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the late Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the late Senator Ted Kennedy. As friends and family mourn, I'd like to take this opportunity to remember two great contributors who worked tirelessly on behalf of our special persons' population in Bermuda. Mrs. Shriver introduced the Special Olympics to Bermuda and assisted in raising funds for our special Olympians to compete in several overseas events. Whilst the Bermuda team attended a Let's Play to Grow Programme in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Shriver invited the entire team to her home.

At a banquet held the very next evening Sen. Kennedy invited one of our special persons, Miss Sandra Trott, to join him at his table. Senator Kennedy's son, who is a physically handicapped person, gave the formal address on that evening. The welcome address was delivered by Mrs. Shriver and highlighted the Bermuda contingent being in attendance. The following day, there was a meet and greet event held on Capitol Hill. Our special Olympians got to meet other special people and their leaders from all over the world. This was a great opportunity that highly impacted the lives of our special young people. Due to the efforts of these two outstanding people, Bermuda embraced the Special Olympic and Let's Play to Grow Programmes, both of which opened many hearts, minds, and doors to the world for out special population. A sincere thank you from the depth of the hearts of all those who participated and benefited from your dedicated work.

MRS. ANN WAINWRIGHT

Warwick

A normal Friday

September 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

This isn't exactly what I expected. The landscape isn't made up of clouds and there are no shiny gates. There are many people here who appear to be waiting, silently.

The Facts:

I decided to go out on this Friday evening. It was a normal night. A normal Friday. As we usually do on a Friday night, we drank towards the effort of getting drunk. "If you aren't drinking to get drunk, then you are just wasting your money …" After numerous hours, I was fairly intoxicated and my night faded away into a blur …

What she didn't know that actually happened:

I had two gentlemen who I had been hanging with the entire night. They both took turns buying me drinks as if there was some sort of code between men. Money was spent on satisfaction to our 'hunger'. After the point when I was unable to walk, stand, and barely even talk, they tried their best to take care of me. One of the guys I knew and the other was cute, but I had only met him for the first time. Their intentions were to get me home safely; even as I stumbled and faltered along the side of the road.

"Well we can't just leave her in town," one of the boys said. Both boys, while attempting to keep my head up so I wouldn't puke, decided to call a taxi. They called a generic taxi number in order to make an effort to getting me home in one piece. The taxi with the license plate number of T1475 pulled up next to the club on King Street. One of the boys shouted out to the taxi; however when the driver took one look at me, he responded out the winded down window, "I don't take home drunks!" The taxi then drove off leaving me with these two boys on the side of the street. I don't understand why the law is made to penalise us for driving home inebriated, yet when we try to do the right thing and get into a taxi; we are still turned away. I may be drunk, but it seems like a lose-lose situation to both me and to the boys who are helping me.

What didn't happen:

The two men I was with were trying to take care of me. I could only see a blur as I lay on the side of the road with markings and dirt drawing up my leg and arms. I really appreciated what these guys were trying to do for me; however it was evident that it wasn't working. I remember that my bike was just around the corner. Not knowing that I still had my keys, I suddenly ran from them into a random direction that I hoped was in the direction of my bike. Both of my friends tried to chase after me, however I managed to get away. I was alone, and best of all; my bike was next to me. I took out the key and inserted it into the ignition. I looked left and right for police. I know I'm drunk, but I'm not stupid.

Riding through the streets, it occurred to me that this could be a bad idea. That thought quickly faded with the numb feeling of alcoholic effect. I turned a corner leaning the bike rightward. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I swear the wall had a magnetic effect. As I pulled away from the wall, it took hold of me and before I knew it, my bike and the wall connected. As I lay in the middle of the road, an onslaught of thoughts rushed through my head. "Why did the taxi driver refuse to help the drunk?" As the pool of blood caressed my cheek in that slow creeping manner … I died.

That is why I see the landscape of people who left this life before me. Did I fall through a crack in the system? Was my death the reason that a man wanted to keep 'his fabric clean'? I may never know, but the system cheated me and I am just another dead Bermudian.

ROAD FATALITY NUMBER ___

Devonshire

Costly mistake

September 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

The cost of Future Care for Bermuda's 8,000 seniors for one year, is less than the difference between the estimated cost of building Berkeley and what it ended up costing the taxpayers.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Warwick

Who controls the Police?

September 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

I would like to respond to MP Zane Desilva's comments on the ZBM News. Mr. Desilva was alluding that the country is in a state of shambles when it comes to policing and crime prevention. He appeared to cast blame towards the Governor. Mr. Desilva called for the Governor to apprise him of what plan he has to fight crime.

It is my understanding the Governor does not physically go around Bermuda fighting crime himself like Rambo. I don't think he schedules shift work or even involves himself with deployment of police officers. The Commissioner of Police along with his subordinates carry out the functions of the police service as they see fit. They do this with monies funded by the Government. Perhaps MP Desilva can lobby the Premier for more money to be allocated to the police service. There seems to be a lot of funding for music festivals and other celebrity events, why not a few more dollars for crime prevention? Maybe if that doesn't work, MP Desilva could ask for an appointment to become the Public Safety Minister, then he would be made aware of the challenges that the police are confronted with.

Lastly Mr. Editor, many of us do not support Mr. Desilva's perceived agenda to discredit the Governor. In fact we are happy the Governor is in charge of internal security. God forbid if he wasn't.

MIAMI VICE

Warwick