Welcome Stranger

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Think about the town where you now live: its local customs, traditions, and hangouts, its slang. What would be the strangest thing about this place for a first-time visitor?

My work space, under the pavilion at Fort Myers Beach,
My work space, under the pavilion.

I reached my local airport returning from visiting family abroad, when I met a couple who appeared lost. I stopped to offer some assistance to a distinguishing looking gentleman with a very lovely woman on his arm, whom I suspect of being his wife. He asked was I a resident and what could I tell him about the area? So begins my story.

I explained I live in the area, and for six months, starting in October through April, there is a concentration of people, swelling the roadways, restaurants, parks, and beaches that will boggle the mind.

They can become rowdy with their loud parties along the beach and the local bars. They are fairly orderly. Yet must leave for home between 7-8 pm to get an early start for the next days activities.

During the same time migrating various species of birds, with their brightly colorful plumes settle into the area with sites that are awe inspiring.

Fort Myers Beach Bodwhich Park Sunset
Beach Bowditch Park Sunset

If you are used to being in a winter climate during this time period, you will quickly become accustom to wear only a light jacket after dark and appreciating the warm afternoon breezes along the coast. One of the customs in my community is to simply relax and take in the wildlife, at the many state and federal parks offering wildlife viewing that will simply overwhelm your senses.

I would suggest you get a bicycle to enjoy the various activities during the early morning hours, along the beach between 7:00 am – 10:00 am, pedaling along for exercise, sightseeing or a ride to a local coffee shop.

I would also recommend kayaking to enjoy the mangroves, view wildlife up close, and a fishing pole to contemplate the meaning of life. There is an amazing community of artists encompassing theater, writers, and painters that thrive with weekly, monthly and yearly shows promoting their crafts.

There are many annual traditions celebrating the regional seafood, music, art, theater, sand sculpture and a pirate festival. With guided beach, and nature walks and an assortment of locations to gather and enjoy a cup of coffee, lunch near the beach, and dinners cruises to view the sun sets.

So as a first time visitor, this place can be overwhelming with so much to do and see, however I would recommend, taking your time, with so much beauty to view, it will always be available.

Now, I notice that you have a New York City brochure in your hand, are staying in our fair city of just traveling through, you do know what city this is?

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3 responses to “Welcome Stranger”

  1. ashokbhatia Avatar

    It takes maturity to be able to see our own place through the colored glasses of a visitor/tourist.

  2. Greg Avatar

    Can’t consider there is a topic that has eclipsed day-to-day Kardashian brunch reviews. “Ermagerd, Ebola, we are all going to die!” The quantity of narrow-minded individuals on earth is unbelievable.

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