I’ve been to so many islands as of late, I’m almost like every other person here: late to everything, flaky with the possibility of even making plans, and very tan. If you count the cancerish darkening of skin where I have repeatedly been burned, I mean. And don’t tell me how I ended my title with a preposition. I know.
Anyhow, to cap my year on islands (not including the Bahamas or St. Martin, where I currently am), let’s play a game: Which island said this?
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1 “So I go to all the islands and treat people as a specialty surgeon.” “What’s your specialty?” “I’m a plumber.”
- Actual plumber, Bali, Indonesia
- Confused medical assistant, Japan
- Urologist, Big Island
2 “It never rains the next 5 miles.”
- Highly specific weather forecaster, Maui
- Pothead barefoot hiker
- A resident of the White Desert, Egypt
3 “Which side should I sit on for the best view of the islands?” “Left (motions).” [I saw 0 islands.]
- Flight attendant conused about where she was
- Light attendant confused about her left vs. right
- Flight attendant confused about life
4 “Ma’am, are you looking for mangoes? They aren’t good. Here, have these (Peers over the fence, then hands me several lovely mangoes of a different varietal from his yard).”
- The friendly folks of Puerto Rico
- The bitter locals of St. John
- Florida
5 “Looks like fanny packs are in in this commonwealth.”
- Commonwealth of the Virgin Islands
- Japan
- No one ever said this in Puerto Rico, but it was obviously true
6 “Everything’s so delicious and clean.”
- Japan
- Bali
- Java
7 “I have the runs.”
- Vermont
- Yes
- Bali
8 [Returning my rental car] “Do I park anywhere or are there assigned spots?” “I’m standin’ here waitin’, ain’t I?” This friendly response brought to you by:
- An employee in Puerto Rico
- An employee in St. Thomas
- An employee in New Jersey
9 “Sure, you can take photos of me on the water. Wanna see my crystals?”
- Meth dealer in St. Thomas
- Pre-teen surfer in Kauai
- Likely high skimboarder on Big Island
10 “I feel dizzy.” “You do? I feel like I’m seeing things. Everything is fuzzy.” “I’m in a very happy place now.”
- The high skimboarder on Big Island, after taking his crystals
- My friends, after drinking Luwak poop coffee
- Results after visiting a methodone clinic
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Now that we all know how Puerto Rico is a friendly place and everywhere else is dirty, I’ll share some photos from several of the islands that give a li’l hint as to what was there. The answer key is at the bottom.
- c; 2. b; 3. Any 4. a; 5. c; 6. a; 7. b or c; 8. b; 9. c; 10. 2