I live in Key West, Florida. There is a kind of ownership to your life and to your surroundings if you say those words out loud. As with any new address we now know where the post office, bank and grocery stores are located. The Assistant Manager of the local Arts Cinema takes the time at the beginning of each film to stand before the audience and identify himself as the “go to” person for any inconvenience during the movie and in closing points out that there are receptacles at the exit of the studio to deposit any trash generated during the show. The Ben Franklin Craft store has an adequate supply of yarns and they have a great bargain on “cheaters” - $4.00 per pair. The Home Depot is within walking distance – if you don’t buy too much. There are new bookstores and used bookstores and we have now been told of a combination store with new and used books – it’s on our list.
Today we made a return trip to a local Thai restaurant and the waitress gave us the “local” discount.
As we weave our way to the downtown section of the city we have been exploring some of the side streets. There is a flare for the artistic and unique in the facades of the houses; some are grand with wrap around porches and decorative urns lining the entryway, others are brightly painted cottages with hammocks and mobiles and other decorative ornamentation attached to the structure. Foliage is lush and creates in many yards a magical quality of secrecy. Property borders are often demarcated with picket fences and tiles and/or bricks create inviting walkways and terraces. There is also a village of houseboats on the docks at the Municipal Marina.
Lack of snow and short distances make the scooter and bicycle manageable modes of transportation. There are designated bike/walking paths and all ages and sizes of people flow along in the procession. There are the tourists (riding the rental bikes) who are wearing too little clothing for the weather and smell of sunscreen, the working commuters who are wearing versatile attire, with a briefcase over their shoulders, and the families who are attempting to stay in line giggling and calling to one another to keep together. People are more accessible for dialogue and interaction when they are on bicycles.
The range of housing here is amazing; shacks abut stately southern mansions without pretense or excuse.
Neighborhoods and even Mallory Square are dotted with chickens and roosters who roam freely with no apparent roost. We were told that these chickens are descendents of chickens brought to Key West by Cuban immigrants. I welcome this carefree addition to the scene – not all residents do, however!
Mallory Square is brimming with activity as sunset approaches. Venders set up their wares; performers mark their spots.
During the day the gulls and the pigeons may have the square to themselves… It’s amazing how this place can change in the blink of an eye.
We all have different ways of getting to this Southernmost Spot. Cruise ships are anchored right where the action is. The destination may be the same but the journeys are certainly different.
I live in Key West, at least for now. Provisioning is nearly complete, the upcoming winds look favorable and our order at West Marine should be in tomorrow. Departures require readjustments; more adventures are sure to be in our new home!
