The island

[lighter]

Hops:  I can't imagine going to the island....

::stopping to think about it.... visions of every zombie apocalypse boat escape comes to mind::

Nope.  I want nothing to do with a 12 hour car drive, pulling the boat out of dry dock in Miama, with all the international travelers they have.... then boating with enough supplies.... nope.  Not even on my radar, Hops.

The girls had a pow wow about stocking up, just in case.  They decided on rice and beans... and toilet paper.  I added butter, lunch meats, and more red curry in the cans so I'm pretty sure we're staying put, worst case scenario.  ::knocking wood::.

I'm glad you seem calm, supplied and comfortable where you are.

Lighter

[lighter]

Ok, the first real airbnb guests were scheduled to arrive this afternoon at the Cottage.  I felt good about it.  They felt great about it.  Super fit, healthy couple, sans children.  I see them overcoming any problems, and pointing some out without difficulty.

The thing is.... there's a mandatory COVID 19 test they're waiting on results for.... they were promised results by Tues.  Wednesday at the latest.  They missed their Ferry and are trying to get results so they may re-book, and go. 

It's frustrating, bc cases are rising and the labs prioritize the hospitalized people who are ill, understandably.  We aren't angry they're unable to LOOK ahead and put systems in place.... but we are frustrated.  Not enough labs, STILL?  Really?

Just....  gobsmacked, and I don't see things getting better anytime soon.

I've asked them to bring a few life preserves with them, and maybe bicycle tubes. I'll take it out of their fees, and they plan to stay an extra 4 days anyways, so it's shaping up, IMO.

Will see. 

In the meantime, I have video and pictures of the cottage inside and out.  Things look really great.  The beach sand is back... no exposed rocks at all, which is good, bc they're so slippering and not comfortable to walk on. 

My "renter" is employed, which is good.  He's also got the outside garbage free, and trimmed up... which isn't something he's ever followed through on before. 

Since he's supposed to cough up 400.00 a month, so I can pay someone to do the exterior maintenance, and hasn't been able to, bc.... COVID and lack of work in general..... he's months behind in rent, and things must have come together in his brain... he NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING if he can't pay rent.  If he hired someone, or did it himself... it appears to be done. 

I'm pretty relieved, and breathing easy about things. 

There's coffee, and water and cooking oil in place. 

Please, dear God, let this first rental go well. 

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

I'll keep my fingers crossed it all goes well, Lighter!  I imagine there are always a few little bits and pieces to iron out with initial renters but you've done so much and prepared so well I can't imagine that anything catastrophic will occur.

[lighter]

Guest's test results still not back.

The husband is getting very upset... apparently he has limited time for a vacation.  I think he works in his father's business and mistakenly believed his father would allow a longer span of time, with the setback, but alas... nope.

I notice how nervous it makes me, and it's about paperwork.
Again.

The upside is these are super nice people.  They will (or were going to) bring some things with them... life preservers and bike tube kits.... would have been so helpful. 

::trying to relax into whatever outcome arrives::

In the meantime... the flight attendance, from Ohio, lovely person, has booked the cottage with her husband for October.  I'm over the moon about that,  bc she'll tell everyone she works with and flies with who asks about where she goes on vacation.  I can also have her pay the maid, if necessary, bc the bank closed down their money gram bit. 

My brother said my renter didn't clean up the yard.  His paid guy did it.   I'm not sure, but if it wasn't my renter... he's going to have to go.  Also, it seems my brother GOT the renter a job, so there shouldn't be many hurt feelings.   We've been nothing but amazingly generous and patient with "renter's" refusal to participate in "work." 

It is what it is.   Still need a seawall.  That has to be next and it's going to be very close to the cottage by the time it happens.

Lighter







Lighter

[lighter]

The Guests have arrived at the Cottage!

They say it's.....


"BREATHTAKING!"

Breathtaking.

::nodding::

SO relieved.

Lighter

[lighter]

A call from renter F yesterday to say the water had been out for over an hour and a half. 

That's a bit unusual, or so the "caretaker" said.  Maybe the water company was doing repairs.  It was reported, by CT the water was back on, at some point.  Electricity only going out once of twice a week, he said.

Guest F said he'll unclog the AC unit in the bunk room, which flooded that space back in April.  I'd be very grateful, but have already had a local work on it, to no avail.  Guest is a mechanic, with HUGE energy, so will remain hopeful.   He will also replace any bike tires that need it.  Revelation.... most of the time getting anything done is like pulling teeth. 

Guest also has a sense of humor.  Yesterday he said....


"I hate to tell you this....


but.....




 this place IS friggin AWSOME."


I needed a shower SO BAD by the end of what seemed like a 48 hour day.  I think my body utilizes the girl's 8.00 charcoal deoderant as fuel.  It's been difficult to find my straight-up salt deoderant, with the green top. Youngest dd went OUT OF HER WAY to find a half-empty bottle for me, dear child.   

SO
MUCH
STRESS
By 11pm I considered it safe to sleep.  The guests didn't check back in after trekking off to the restaurant at the end of the drive.  I hope it was open, that they had cracked conch, and very crisp fry frys.


They ended up knowing their cab driver, from Florida, and the shop keeper at the end of my drive... the one SQUATTING on property at the end of my drive.  I should be squatting there... I'm the reason anyone KNOWS it's squattable property.
The best laid plans.

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

I'm glad the rental's going well, Lighter.  I was wondering if the guy your brother pays (that you mentioned in one of the other posts) could deal with anything that comes up so that you don't sit by the phone?  Or are you just doing it because it's the first one?  I'm glad they're enjoying it out there.  It's nice to get people who appreciate that things might not be the same as at home and will cope without some of the home comforts for a few hours if need be.  I found myself wondering if your nice nice guest might be up for a 'doing repairs instead of paying rental' visit every now and again to do routine maintenance and redecorate and so on?  He sounds like he might be good at that? xx

[lighter]

Oh, guest is a mechanic and fixing the clogged up AC in the bunk room.. he offered.  He's also doing some other stuff... fixing the door locks that aren't perfectly lined up... BUT....
the electricity went out last night, right when their lobster and steak was ready to go.

And it went out for hours... at least 3... which is not normal, or so I'm told by housekeeper and "caretaker."

IT was hot enough guest began whining a bit about it getting very hot inside, which I completely GET.   They ended up at the Casino, so likely went out for dinner, rather than use the grill, which is another debacle... I think my "caretaker" pretended it was his, and he was going to "save them" from my lack of preparation, which is SO unfair.  It was a fight to GET that grill, and dry charcoal and lighter fluid TO the island, and stored so it could be easily found, and....

::going to pick up car getting unexpected repairs::

I'm a tad stressed, but I have to tell you.... I understand this is small stuff. 

::picturing guests on a POS boat, sweltering and sunburning without shade... miles offshore with engine failure::

That hasn't happened, that I know of, but the "caretaker" set them up with a 700.00 fishing trip, that should have cost them 1200.00 and I'm picturing some pretty terrible scenarios.  I didn't want to be responsible for that kind of stuff,  and now my "caretaker" is recommending people who likely give him kickbacks and I KNOW how hard it is for the islanders to keep their boats in working order, and....

::sigh::.

Employing DO ALL I CAN, then put the story on the shelf coping strategy.

::nodding::

Maybe zero utilities will go out on this, their 3rd, day at the cottage.

If it's not OK...  it's still OK.

Lighter

[lighter]

Island guests appear very happy today.  They just got it together and gambled at the casino till 10pm... long after AC at cottage came back on.  Not sure if they cooked on the grill or ate in town, but.... they can bob and weave.  I assumed they could, frankly.

They don't go fishing with a captained boat till tomorrow... they think.

That means they're officially on island time.  Nothing happens when it's planned.


NOTHING.

They plan to stay longer than the original week, which is great.  I'll have them pay the housekeeper ahead, and hopefully cover the costs of things they brought over for me.  Tire tubes, life preservers..... I think that was it. 

I'm not going to jinx this.  I will say I'm super happy right now... slept SO LONG, which I needed, and we've got happy music on.   Quite the scene on the highway... 3 gals dancing like there's no tomorrow..... in the car.  And I have to say.... dancing is a super shortcut to joy.  It's contagious too!

Lighter

[lighter]

Guests seemed to have a grewat vacation at the cottage.

I didn't realize they couldn't find the paddles to the kayaks.  They never mentioned that.  I'm having trouble understanding WHY people can't KEEP UP WITH things like PADDLES.

::smoothing blouse::

The husband seemed to hit it off with the "renter" but I don't know how much of that could be the guest's people pleasing tendencies, and what's honest to goodness happy connection. 

Guests swam with renter's dog... remarked on all the ticks..... I knew guests would have a problem with a dog NOT receiving good care.  This is a 3rd world island and people don't have the money or access veterinary care.

Renter is working, bc my brother got him a good job, but he's not paying rent.   Yet.  This is an interesting puzzle to piece together.   Trying to run a business so far away.

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

I'm glad that first rental went well, Lighter - fingers crossed it's the start of many more good times for people there xx

[lighter]

They shut down flights and fast ferry from US....again.

The guest left a good review.

[lighter]

So....the story is....
and I only have it from my " renter"....
The resort people were clearing sand from the canal at the government dock.

That' s a confusing statement bc the city water pipe TO our side of the island was damaged THEN the electric pipe was damaged while repairs to water line were under way.....
So no power or water on South AND I have no idea how anything will get resolved.

Lighter

[lighter]

The power and water came back on.  My brother arrived there yesterday after discovering his truck was broken into, laptop and very large set of keys to the cottage(only 1 of 3) were taken.

Keys were hidden at the cottage, for everything, but brother was about out of patience when the hunt for that first key began.

He found it, but....it wasn't pretty.  I have no idea if he found the larger set.  He hasn't updated me.  No news is good news.

Things should be in good shape....I hope the electrical is ok in the house.

I plan to take my clothes dryer next trip.  There's a small washer there, and large wooden drying rack, Amish, like Hopsie's.  On humid days, we need a dryer. There's an outside box built to hold w/d.  Might put it back in there.  Might put it in the bunk room where most of the power is.

I'm still torn on oven stovetop appliance.  It would require electrician and...
::sigh::
Maybe put in full size washer too.
I just wanted it to be simple. 

And done.

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

Sorry about the break in, Lighter, I hope not to much damage done and things can be replaced/repaired as necessary.  Good to hear that the water and power is back on, though, and hopefully that will continue now xx