Vacation leaves bad taste

The following letter was sent to Tourism Minister Ewart Brown and copied to The Royal Gazette.

July 22, 2005

Dear Dr. Brown,

I am writing you this note with a bit of sadness. Less then two weeks ago, on July 13, 2005, my daughter and I had the good fortune to visit your beautiful country for a week-long vacation from Los Angeles, California to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation and her acceptance into many prestigious universities. However, our vacation started with an unexpected event upon arriving at your Airport that set a tone for most of the trip.

As soon as we arrived and located our luggage we hired a porter to assist us and as we were standing in the Customs line with the other passengers we were approached by a female who identified herself as a Bermuda Customs Officer asking us to come with her out of the line to the area where they search your luggage.

We gladly agreed since we travel frequently and know this is a normal airport security operation even though this was the first time we had ever been told we needed to participate.

Well, up until this point everything seemed to be customary until I noticed that every single person who was on our flight that was black was pulled off to this search side too.

Both my daughter and I thought that was odd and a bit discriminatory since there were only six black people on our flight in the first place yet we were all pulled out of the Customs line.

The officer's first question to us was asked with sarcasm: “So do you normally travel without luggage?” and my reply as I pointed to the porter who had our four bags on a cart and was waiting for us to get to the front of the line to show her that we indeed had luggage like normal travellers.

Still we remained calm and cooperative while being questioned by this female officer who seemed determined to find something during her search and line of questions.

But then her line of questioning became very odd and inappropriate and this is the reason for my letter.

I hope that the Customs Officers, and especially this officer, who's name I did not get, will never treat another tourist, especially a black American, in the manner in which she did to us.

After she asked us if this was our first time here in Bermuda and we said yes she then asked us: “Why did you choose Bermuda?” I answered and then she asked but why would you travel all the way from Los Angeles to Bermuda instead of going to Hawaii?

My daughter and I looked at each other in amazement and I answered, “because we were just in Hawaii this past spring for my daughter's spring break and thought Bermuda would be another nice vacation spot”.

Then she asked me how did I pay for this trip and said: “Isn't it quite expensive to come here from Los Angeles?” I politely replied: “I work hard and earned a vacation and chose Bermuda since I have been to every island in the Caribbean and beyond except Bermuda”.

She still asked but what method of payment did I use, I said American Express. She asked to see my paid receipt and itinerary.

At that point I felt this line of questioning was becoming way too invasive and ridiculous, but I kept my cool, though I was about to lose it.

Her tone of voice was becoming more and more hostile every time I had an answer that she was not expecting to hear. She asked again about why we did not choose somewhere else in Hawaii, but if she really knew her locations she would know that Bermuda for us is only about an extra hour and a half than Hawaii.

Then she wanted to know where we were staying and made a comment about how pricey the Fairmont was and why did I choose that hotel? I told her I like to stay in the finest places and Elbow Beach was sold out for our dates already so I chose the Fairmont. She asked to see some type of hotel confirmation.

I showed her my paid itinerary since I happened to have it with my travel documents but felt it was none of her business how I paid for my trip, and then she asked me what type of work do I do and wanted to see my work business card.

At that point I was about to call my attorney and asked her if this is customary especially since I noticed that all of the other people in that area had come and gone with one or two questions and a bag search.

She proceeded to ask a million other questions and searched every single bag we had, every aspirin and vitamin bottle, totally rearranged our clothing that was neatly packed upon arrival.

She made so many inappropriate sarcastic comments while searching our bags like “it looks like you packed for three or four people instead of two. Why so many shoes? Are you sure you don't have someone hidden in here, etc?” I was sick and tired of her sarcasm. We were tired, had taken a red eye flight out the night before and had not slept well at all and now to have to deal with an overzealous officer was becoming a bit too much.

Now nearly 30 minutes had passed since our arrival. Every single passenger from our flight had come and gone.

Our porter even mumbled: “I have never seen this before, what is she looking for?”

She continued to say anti-tourist statements like” “I still don't understand why you did not choose somewhere closer to you like Hawaii”.

We thought these statements were very inappropriate and so out of line on to try to discourage American black tourists from visiting Bermuda.

I believe it worked and I had made up my mind that this will probably be my first and last visit to Bermuda. She had the dog sniffer come by three times before we were finally told to have a good visit.

The porter once again said to us when we went to the car: “I have never seen anyone interrogated like this before. That was ridiculous.”

He told me I should file a complaint. The driver who was there to pick us up was wondering what took us so long, he thought we missed our flight and the porter told him what happened.

He apologised and was embarrassed by our treatment.

But that was not the end of it. During our week-long stay we were asked by many locals, especially females, why did we come all the way to Bermuda?

We have travelled all over the world on flights that took up to 22 hours, so coming seven hours to Bermuda was not that far to us. We had an encounter at the Fairmont Southampton when a waiter charged us more for the Sunday brunch and then having major attitude when addressing us saying: “Well, you are locals and locals have to pay more since they are not hotel guests”. But never once did he ask us if we were staying here in the hotel, he just assumed!

I am used to warm, welcoming Caribbean and island hospitality, especially like the treatment we receive in Jamaica, where we go at least once a year but this time I wanted to try somewhere different but found myself extremely disappointed with some of the local people. We were so disappointed and really thrown off by this behaviour.

I felt Bermuda was one of the most beautiful, though one of the most expensive, countries we have ever visited, but the appreciation of my money was not there not to mention the hospitality I was expecting and am accustomed to.

When we returned back home I was discussing my vacation with a neighbour and learned that you (Dr. Brown) were once my neighbour in Los Angeles.

I live in a wonderful historic neighbourhood, work hard for my money, and value my vacations but this time I felt short-changed.

My husband is a Hollywood celebrity and we have been invited guests to visit several countries and islands throughout the world and I know if he was with us we would have been treated entirely differently but he should not have to be with us in order to be welcomed and valued.

We had to not only endure this treatment but also live through the inconvenience of the Island blackout, too, so you know it left a bad taste in my mouth about my Bermuda vacation. I phoned the American Consulate and left a message and visited the Chamber of Commerce in Hamilton and relayed my experience. I hope this never has to happen to another tourist, I feel as though I should receive a vacation rebate.

Disappointed,

JO-AN TURMAN

Los Angeles, California

Waiting in the wings?

July 18, 2005

Dear Sir,

Have we missed something?

Through all the hoopla about the GPS system being forced on the taxi drivers, there is one thing most of the drivers have overlooked.

For many years, ownership of taxis has been restricted to a maximum of four. Without any lobbying from taxi owners to change the number, Government changed the number from four to unlimited.

I find that very strange, which leads me to believe that maybe - and I stress maybe - someone or some company is patiently waiting to purchase a large number of taxi permits from the many drivers that would most likely prefer to sell at a price just above the going rate rather than be enforced by a GPS system which is not guaranteed to make more money for them.

The Minister mentioned that GPS will enable the Government to make decisions about the industry such as increasing the taxis on the road by 100. Hmm.

TAXI DRIVER

Paget

Police should be armed

July 27, 2005

Dear Sir,

Permit me to express my views regarding the Police being armed and other matters pertaining to the Police and Prison Officers. Incidentally I have made these opinions privately to the right authority and found we agreed on most things.

The time has come for the Police to be armed. The types of criminals the Police have to deal with today are armed and would not hesitate to take a life. We bury our heads in the sand if we think Bermuda is still the safe little community we knew as children and all the Police need to protect themselves and the community is the truncheon. Unfortunately, drugs and other factors, which have come to our society, have made our country unsafe in many respects.

I have also suggested the Criminal Code should be amended to include, “if any person is found guilty of killing a Policeman or Prison Officer they should be given a sentenced of complete life in prison without parole”. The laws pertaining to a Policeman or Prison Officer being harmed while in the exercise of his duty also needs to be reviewed.

I am pleased and fully concur with the amendments to the law brought forward recently by the Attorney General and adapted by Parliament. The Government is beginning to demonstrate it is serious about dealing with the criminal element threatening to destroy our society.

One final suggestion, I strongly suggest the penalties in the law for purse snatchings from tourists and women be increased substantially. The cowardly crime of purse snatching seems to be directed at tourists and our Bermuda women who are more vulnerable. A message should be sent that the Government intends to do everything possible to protect this group. It is this kind of activity that gives Bermuda a bad name overseas.

THE HON. QUINTON L. EDNESS CBE, JP

Warwick

Unsportsmanlike conduct

July 30, 2005

Dear Sir,

I did not attend Cup Match this year, but I did listen to the radio. The thing that disturbed me most is that we seem to have forgotten what this holiday is all about.

I am not referring to the Emancipation of the slaves which is certainly extremely important. I am referring to the modern day aspect which is pure, clean, enjoyable competition. This holiday is unique to Bermuda. Whenever I mention the fact that we close down for two days to watch a cricket match, every foreigner who hears this reacts in amazement because they cannot imagine this happening anywhere else in the world.

This is supposed to be an opportunity for us to see our respective teams compete for the coveted Cup Match Cup. That means that both clubs put forth their best teams who do their best on the field to win the cup based on their athletic abilities.

Unfortunately we seem to be relying on everything except athletic ability. The horrible things that batsmen have to listen to while playing the game is simply despicable. This year we have an accused drug importer and one of the players decided to physically strike another player. What is wrong with you guys? The alleged drug importer should not have been allowed to play until proven innocent and the player that struck another player should have been removed from the game. That is what responsible captains and umpires would have done. Listen, if a player strikes another player for whatever reason, as captain of the team it is your responsibility to remove that player even at the cost of losing the cup. You do it to ensure that the integrity of the game remains high. Officials, if you do not have the courage to do what the applicable captain refuses to do in such situations, then please do not accept the offer to umpire the game. This game is a game for men - which means that we do what is right even if it results in a cost to us.

So sportsmen, it is time for all of you, irrespective of which sport you play, to rise up and be men and do the right thing which is to reject all unsportsmanlike conduct for the sake of the game. Let's keep the integrity of our respective sports very, very high.

Congratulations St. George's. Next time try to win purely with your skills (of which you have much) and let's quit all of the other foolishness that goes on on the field. If you all are as good as you say you are then you do not need to resort to such unprofessional behaviour to win the cup.

A RESPONSIBLE CUP MATCH FAN

Devonshire

Cup Match headache

July 29, 2005

Dear Sir,

I certainly did not expect to be exposed to the type of loud and aggressive behaviour while seated in the VIP section that I was subjected to on Thursday, July 28 during this Cup Match.

My wife and I were seated directly in front of a lady who acted as if she was the only one present by continually shouting and screaming to the top of her voice as she rooted for her team and a family member who was playing.

As a former Cup Match player I can appreciate that we all from time to can get very vocal as we support our team. After all it is Cup Match. However, when we shout and scream directly in the ear of other spectators who are trying to enjoy the game as well, is a bit much. But I guess it is bearable.

But then to go a bit further by taking a loud foghorn and raising it directly above another person's head and setting off an extremely loud report is totally unacceptable. This is what this lady did to my wife. The sudden noise not only frightened my wife, but all of the other dignitaries who were seated in this section. My wife and I had a headache for several hours after the game. The Premier and the Governor, who were seated in this section as well, had gone for a stroll around the grounds when this rude and aggressive behaviour was being conducted.

However, there were several other dignitaries including Mr. Ira Philip and his wife present to bear what I can only describe as unruly conduct. I don't care what we are celebrating; I am of the opinion that we should at all times be considered others. Especially to our seniors as they have already paid their dues.

My thought for the day is: “Avoid loud and aggressive people, because they are vexatious to the soul.”

NEVILLE T. DARRELL

Devonshire

Leading by example

July 30, 2005

Dear Sir,

After reading the article in the July 30 paper online about the “abusive MP” I felt compelled to write this letter. The actions taken and remarks made by a Member of Parliament show us exactly the attitude of the Government in whole today. It seems as if everyone in Bermuda is beneath them. They are the say all and do all (or do nothing for the most part). The Members of Parliament and Government officials need to remember that they must lead by example. If they are arguing, shoving and verbally abusing someone in public, then by their example, so can everyone else.

Are we really that shocked by the violence and attitudes that Bermudians, and visitors alike, face everyday? I'm not, especially when you read, in the paper, about the incident that occurred in the club over Cup Match. These officials must also remember that they are in the public eye, every day, whether they are working or enjoying a cricket game. Some people don't have any examples to follow. They pick up actions and attitudes from others in the community.

Leading by example might be the first step in fixing some of the problems that have risen in Bermuda over the past few years. I was lucky enough to have my father as my example. Thank you for your time.

KEVIN ZUILL

Antarctica