The Bum(fuzzle)s Are Moving Afloat Again !

[tartansail]

Originally Posted by minaret

snipped . .
And as I said before, I don't know them personally and could be totally wrong about that, I'm just going off what they have chosen to put in print, which makes them seem very much the "ugly american" to me. . . . snipped.

Interesting take on the Ugly American. I found that the Bums engaged many of the countries they visited a lot more directly than the "real cruisers" who they met along the way. Rather than traveling in packs and immediately looking to other first world cruisers for company, they headed out on their own into places that are off the beaten track of the cruising community. In particular, their jaunts in Yemen, Eritrea and Haiti seemed to be missing from the itineraries of the WRC.

Did they look for beer and pizza? Absolutely. Along the way, did they find actual inhabitants of the towns they visited and hang out with them in stead of finding the "safe" places where the cruisers met to discuss their laundry service and weather routing? Yep. They seemed to learn a lot on the way around and are still at it. I'll buy them a round and a pizza anytime they're in the neighborhood.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

You bought high. The trick is to buy low and sell high. You'd be a lousy trader.

It's good that you build things.

Now that's funny.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by tartansail

Interesting take on the Ugly American. I found that the Bums engaged many of the countries they visited a lot more directly than the "real cruisers" who they met along the way. Rather than traveling in packs and immediately looking to other first world cruisers for company, they headed out on their own into places that are off the beaten track of the cruising community. In particular, their jaunts in Yemen, Eritrea and Haiti seemed to be missing from the itineraries of the WRC.

Did they look for beer and pizza? Absolutely. Along the way, did they find actual inhabitants of the towns they visited and hang out with them in stead of finding the "safe" places where the cruisers met to discuss their laundry service and weather routing? Yep. They seemed to learn a lot on the way around and are still at it. I'll buy them a round and a pizza anytime they're in the neighborhood.

You nailed it tart. I was in the Peace Corps - so I had a lot of the "Ugly American" education and training. And minaret just has it wrong...for the most part.

Yes, the Fuzzles lived for familiar indulgences like Maccas, Pizza, Taco Bell, etc. (very common) - but you're absolutely right that they immersed themselves in the culture much more deeply and much longer than typical tourists ever would. Look at the local bars and restaurants they typically sought out, the places they visited - places where the locals were. And look how long they typically stayed in these places. They like "real people" and worked very hard to avoid the actual Ugly American (or whatever country) cruiser pack who stayed glued to their raft-ups, yacht clubs, high-end hotels/restaurants, etc. and moved on very quickly.

No, the Fuzzles were not "in-deep" like Peace Corps volunteers are, but for crying-out-loud, they were freaking sailing around the world to see all kinds of cultures - not to just sink into one for several years!

In my view, they did it perfectly.

The only time I ever saw any real attitude that could be remotely construed as "Ugly American" was when they were in places like Europe where things were very expensive, familiar, and, therefore, "bland". And that's perfectly understandable in light of what they were looking for above. But then, that's not really "Ugly Americanism" is it?

What's funny about the definition Minaret posted is that I've seen a hell of a lot of "Ugly Americanism" while I was in the Peace Corps. But it wasn't just Americans. It was virtually every country that was involved in "Third World Development" - the sum of which is best stated in this paragraph:

The majority of the (development organizations) exhibit a range of blundering, corrupt, and incompetent behaviors, often concentrating on impractical projects that will serve more to benefit (their host country interests) than the local population.

So Min, sure the Fuzzles were young, inexperienced, and somewhat self-indulgent when they did all that. But from the same words you read, I certainly don't see that they were at all "Ugly". I just see them as good-hearted "Hypsies" who are living a great life.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

atoll - obviously you've never read their blog or any of the information posted on here previously. Their finances have been clearly communicated on many occasions to date. Disappointing from a fellow "cruiser."

actually i have read a lot ot their blogs,,anal comes to mind.

what bites my arse is the hedonism,lack of empathy for the locals and the promotion of the idea that any body with a bit of cash can get out there and doit, and they do we generally call them check book travelers,ruining every where in there wakes.

the idea of turning the whole world into a subdiduary of mcdonalds or,wallmart to suit the independent travelers needs i find distasteful.

having lived and visited many 3rd world countries, and seen the effect of tourism ,and thats all they are tourists.

i respect them for what they have done and bear no ill will to them personally.

i rather see them as part of a global trend amongst the "me" generation,who want to change the world but don't actually do any thing other than what benifits themselves........

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by atoll

having lived and visited many 3rd world countries, and seen the effect of tourism ,and thats all they are tourists.

i rather see them as part of a global trend amongst the "me" generation,who want to change the world but don't actually do any thing other than what benifits themselves........

So, as for your last "anti me-generation" paragraph...I served my time as I laid out above. As for your first, what are you exactly in relation to these countries and people - even if you do help build a seawall here and there?

[atoll]

disgruntled world traveler,observing wannabee's spread global materialism..........

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by atoll

disgruntled world traveler,observing wannabee's spread global materialism..........

Heh-heh. Okay atoll.

[svBeBe]

Criticizing someone who makes money from stock trading (or commodities trading) makes no sense, IMHO. What possible difference does it make how Pat earns his money? The money he earns is spent buying the normal things of life and paying for repairs and boat related items. He is supporting airlines, car rental companies, restaurants and street food vendors, clothing manufacturers, grocery stores, toy manufacturers, ad infinitum. He might not be actually producing anything, but he is certainly actively involved in keeping manufacturers and producers in business. The economy of the world does not suffer because of stock or commodity traders; it benefits.

Judy

[atoll]

Originally Posted by svBeBe

Criticizing someone who makes money from stock trading (or commodities trading) makes no sense, IMHO. What possible difference does it make how Pat earns his money? The money he earns is spent buying the normal things of life and paying for repairs and boat related items. He is supporting airlines, car rental companies, restaurants and street food vendors, clothing manufacturers, grocery stores, toy manufacturers, ad infinitum. He might not be actually producing anything, but he is certainly actively involved in keeping manufacturers and producers in business. The economy of the world does not suffer because of stock or commodity traders; it benefits.

Judy

i rest my case......global materialism......aka....GREED!

[sww914]

Atoll, do you dislike anybody with more money than you?
You seem rather bitter about this subject. If somebody has enough money to circumnavigate and goes to the same places as you but they spend more money there, is that bad?

[atoll]

sorry cross posted but this puts it in a nut shell..........hate paying over the odds and those that perpetuate the problem.

Re: Taking a sailboat into Panama

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckr
we are in panama and checked into bocas -- it was incredibly expensive - just because it is bocas - portobelo is cheaper and easier - the port capt with 3 other people showed up at our boat before we had the anchor down and charged us $100 us on the spot as they came aboard for an inspection - then i think 160 for a cruising permit, then immigration got us for more and made us take a 1 year maritime visa - total cost by the time they were done with us was about $500 - if possible go to portobelo -

just my thoughts
chuck

a sign of the times,they got somthing you want,and you got the money to pay for it,......untill people start protesting and sailing away prices/extortion will only increase in the yachting world .......

[svBeBe]

Originally Posted by atoll

i rest my case......global materialism......aka....GREED!

So you don't want to keep those shoe factory workers employed?

Or the t-shirt factory workers, etc.?

If they don't have jobs then governments must provide basic needs at taxpayer expense. Which are you advocating? Welfare or employment?

[atoll]

who needs shoes? we managed a few billion years with out them........................

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by atoll

what bites my arse is the hedonism,lack of empathy for the locals and the promotion of the idea that any body with a bit of cash can get out there and doit, and they do we generally call them check book travelers,ruining every where in there wakes.

the idea of turning the whole world into a subdiduary of mcdonalds or,wallmart to suit the independent travelers needs i find distasteful.

having lived and visited many 3rd world countries, and seen the effect of tourism ,and thats all they are tourists.

i respect them for what they have done and bear no ill will to them personally.

i rather see them as part of a global trend amongst the "me" generation,who want to change the world but don't actually do any thing other than what benifits themselves........

Can't say I disagree with a lot of what you say here. It is difficult though for either you or I to make a call on what the BF's are about. I admire their sticking to their dreams. I've seen your profile and see you are helping out where you go too. The old saying of leaving a clean wake is applied.

[zeehag]

i need one pair of shoes--mine have deteriorated so much i can no longer walk to pizza places seeking hamburgers and root beer. anyone know a good birkenstock store in mexico?????

LOL


bumfuzzles have a good solid sailing cruiser for raising their youngsters in--- is a good boat. has a lovely interior and is roomy and heavy. they ae doing fine. they are out sailing and raising a family. how they made their money is not an issue. they are OUT HERE SAILING.