Haber Travel/Retirement Report

Dear Faithful Readers,

This Haber Report emanates from the island of St. Kitt’s.  If you’re
wondering what it feels like to go on a totally relaxing vacation when
you’re retired, the answer is: WONDERFUL!  As most of you know, just because
I’m retired and don’t have the stress of a full-time job doesn’t mean I’m
not busy; yeah that would be a big understatement.  Gosh am I busy.  I know
most of you received my Retirement Report after the first 8 months had
elapsed.  As we approach the one year anniversary of my retirement (at the
end of the month), I can only say:  it is one of the best decisions I ever
made.  Retirement is the best and I urge all of you who can to consider
doing so.  I know most of you (probably all of you except Joyce) wouldn’t
even consider having a retirement like mine, but for me it’s the best.  I’m
still spending lots and lots of time in museums (especially the Met) viewing
exhibits, going to gallery talks and attending lectures.  In addition, I’m
still going to lots of concerts (jazz on Thursday afternoons, classical on
some Wednesdays), book readings, lectures and the occasional film (that no
one else would be interested in!)  And those are just my day time
activities.  I seem to have increased my evening activities as well.  In
February there isn’t one weekday evening that I’m at home!

Anyway when the new year rolled around, I decided to add 2 additional
activities to my repertoire.  The first one revolves around the idea of
“giving back”.  One day a week I now volunteer at the Meals on Wheels
division of the Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood House (a senior citizen center
in my neighborhood).  I started out as a glorified file clerk.  I seem to
have been promoted to a case manager; I have my own cases who I am following
up on.  My mother would be proud.  Until she got too ill, she visited
several women in various nursing facilities; she referred to them as “her
old ladies” and she was well into her 80’s at the time.

In addition, on a monthly basis I’m volunteering at a soup kitchen (or
“welcome table” as they like to say) at a church in Chelsea.  In 3 hours we
serve 1000 meals.  It’s a terrific organization; very fulfilling work.

The other new activity I’ve added is Curves.  For the first time in my life
I’ve joined a gym and I’ve been going on a regular basis.  Their regimen is
extremely easy to follow.  Whether it will really do anything for my aging
body, I don’t know, but I feel good about doing it.

OK, enough about retirement and its joys, lets talk about St. Kitt’s.  We’ve
been here since last Thursday and return home this coming Thursday (if the
snow doesn’t prevent our return; I wouldn’t mind that happening).  We’re
staying at a Marriott (the only show in town).  The island is quite small
and has only recently been drumming up tourism.  The hotel has advantages
and disadvantages.  The room is ordinary, the towels are what you might
expect in a Holiday Inn, the guest services personnel aren’t especially
helpful or cordial, the hotel food isn’t very good.  On the other hand,
there are 3 huge pools.  The depth of the water in each is only 3
feet–perfect for me who doesn’t feel secure in deep water.  The water
temperature is cool enough to feel refreshing but warm enough to feel
comfortable.  Apparently most guests like to stay by the main pool.  We’ve
been staying at an auxiliary pool that is almost as large as the main one.
We basically have the place to ourselves.  I’ve been renting a float
everyday and lying in the pool all by myself.  It’s really odd; it’s a large
hotel and there are several corporate events going on and we have the pool
to ourselves.

The weather has been perfect.  Temperature in the 80’s; bright blue skies.
Couldn’t be better.

Yesterday we had our touring day.  (I’m sure Marty will be happy to give you
his version of yesterday when we return.)  We started by driving in to
Basseterre–the capital and only real town on the Island.  We had breakfast
in a lovely restaurant overlooking the town square; they call it the Circus
because it’s modeled after Piccadilly Circus in London; yeah, in their
dreams; obviously whoever came up with that has never been to London!  After
a very nice breakfast, we walked through the town; wasn’t much to see but I
did buy a nice tropical outfit as well as a matching pendant/earrings from a
local craftswoman (which I will wear tonight).

From there we started to circumnavigate the island.  Our first stop was
called Romney Plantation.  There are several sugar cane plantations on the
island which have been converted into other things.  Romney is mostly ruins,
most of which are not visible from the little road we had turned on to see
it so I missed it and persuaded Marty to drive up a small road.  This is the
story you will want to hear from him.  We drove up and up and it got
narrower and narrower.  Eventually we turned around (our car is very small)
and went back down and found the ruins!  He was not a happy camper.  Along
with the ruins there is a batik factory where they show you how they dye the
fabrics.  I bought a shirt.

From there we continued on.  Went to Brimstone Hill which was a huge
fortress and many of the buildings are still there.  We also stopped at
several of the other old pantations.  We wound up having lunch at one of
them which has been turned into an inn and restaurant.  Lunch was so good
that we went back for breakfast this morning.  It is also where we will be
having dinner tomorrow night which is not only our last dinner here but
Valentine’s Day.  It is clearly the best restaurant on the island.  The
owner is a Jewish woman named Karen who hails from Princeton.  Yes, of
course, we got into a long conversation with her.

So speaking of food, the only dinner we have eaten at the Marriot was our
first night (before we were oriented).  For such a small island, there are
many restaurants and we have tried all those considered “the best”.  I’ve
had lobster twice; (Fawn:  you would love it here!)  Mostly, we’ve been
eating the local food, always the smartest thing to do.

All in all, it’s been a great vacation although I wouldn’t recommend the
island or the hotel.

Hope none of you will be too inconvenienced by the coming snow.

Ellen:  looking forward to seeing you and Arnie at Gordon Ramsay on Saturday
evening.

Ellyn:  looking forward to seeing you and Bernie at Amy’s wedding on Sunday.
I know it will be wonderful.

Comments welcomed from all of you.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you.  As Doug so aptly pointed out in his
toast to his parents on the occasion of their 35th anniversary, Marty is the
thoughtful sentimental one.  I’ve already received flowers in the room (days
ago so that I would have them for more than one day) as well as a trip to a
jeweler which resulted in pendant and matching ring with Australian opals
and diamonds.

Gotta go get ready for dinner.  We’re going to a restaurant called Water
Falls; (MD:  I will let you know if there actually is one!)

All my love,
Your Roving Reporter,

Irene