It was beautiful music. This morning I heard the low, flatulent bellow of a cruise ship for the first time since the swine flu freak out. There was a press conference at the docks celebrating the arrival of the cruisers after such a long absence. It's funny. I never thought I would find joy in the presence of something I have always found to be a nuisance, but absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I have always hated the throngs of day trippers that choke the market, Plaza Machado, and the streets of Centro. They get in the way. They drive prices up. They can be rude and drunk and obnoxious. We used to play a game, Spot the Cruisers, only it wasn't very fun because it's not very hard. Big floppy hats, fanny packs, and socks with Birkenstocks.
A lot of the businesses here depend on the trade that the cruisers bring with them. My friends who are waiters or own restaurants or sell trinkets on the beach have been having a really hard time. A number of restaurants are on the verge of closing. And the lack of cash during this time of year, one of the most difficult seasons, has had an affect on every part of the local economy.
But now the cruisers are back, and will hopefully inject some much needed money into the local economy. It's a grey, rainy day, but boy is it beautiful.
Mostly Cloudy 82 oF • 28 oC