Why is it when people go on vacation they leave their manners and brains behind? For the life of me I do not understand this! I consider myself a "seasoned traveler"; I have only been to 50 or more countries and am eager to see as many more before my days are numbered. I keep a log of these places; what I loved, what I saw, where I stayed, ate and drank. I always try to buy a piece of art to take back as a souvenir, something that reminds me of a wonderful place and the life lesson that went along with it. The one thing I have learned over the years, on these journeys around the world, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Easy enough; be respectful, flexible and considerate of your surroundings and local inhabitants, (human and non) and the gift back is usually mutual respect and maybe if you are lucky enough, a new friend.
This leads me to why on earth the guests that rent the house next door, feel entitled to party like it's 1999 and woot and holler into the night? You want Club Med? Go to Club Med (are those around anymore?) or here's a thought, how about visit the local disco or nightclub? If you do want to carry on like this, do not rent a house in a very quiet, isolated area on top of your closest neighbor. You are going to piss people off! Just because you paid to go on vacation does not give you any rights to act like complete assholes! My kid gloves are off, I am at war with these tourists, do not mess with me, I will fight for my home, make your vacation as miserable as possible and make you regret your decisions! You want to party all night, then be prepared to be awaken to barking dogs, bagpipe music and trumpets before dawn! I have the loudest Polaris vehicle on the island; how about full gear "donuts" outside your bedroom window? I also have a decibel reader and when you hit 70, (which by the way, you flaming big idiot, frying bacon is over 70 decibels), I will call the police and you will probably get a ticket and risk going to a jail cell for the night! I am thinking of more ways to make your visit here even more miserable as I sit here and write!
This house next door has new tourists each week, we endure this idiotic, inane behavior each week! This owner has no idea what I have up my sleeves now! Trip Advisor? Here I come! BTB? Get ready for more calls! SACNW and SP Police; you all might want new phone numbers! What happened with a visitor visiting and visiting? When did visiting become a time to piss off locals and disrespect them? Just because you paid to be here gives you this right? What has happened to civilization? If I ever thought I was disrespectful while peeking into a Hindu shrine in Thailand or visiting a museum in Paris or bar-b- q'g at a townhouse rental in Cozumel, I would did a hole, hide and beg for another chance to be a better visitor! I tiptoe through lobbies early morning or late at night, I read or star gaze from a balcony sipping wine, watching the wonders of nature and beholding a view I hope not to forget. When I travel, I want to leave with a positive experience and hope that my visit was one that made the people I met want to visit me in my home. Oh well, some say it is in how one is raised. I was raised to be respectful, an equal and no better than my fellow woman at home or aboard. (Apparently, the "ugly American" is something some travelers want to be?!)
So, since the I have had a chance to rant, my blood pressure is back to normal, and I will take a walk along the beach to remind myself why I am here and chose this place to live out these"golden years". The revenge attitude has gone away and I will behave myself! (I do have children, albeit, almost grown, but I do have to uphold their respect for me and continue to be a good example! Darn-it!) I hope my next door neighbor guests will take a page out of my guide to life and try it. Travel is a wonderful gift and experience, take from it something new to learn, knowledge in a different culture or a new respect for the environment. Do not litter, disobey laws, expect things to be like they are at home. You are visiting some one's home! Take your shoes off, have a local drink, see what a street vendor has for sale, visit the national treasures of where you are a VISITOR! Delight in the quirkiness, the absurd, the unusual and take home some knowledge of what you were just given a chance to do! Do not expect any more and know what you are getting yourself into. Four miles south of town may seem like nothing in Los Angeles, but on sandy, golf cart roads, you might as well be staying on the next caye. It is real quiet here and that how the locals love it! Adios...
