Parrots in Paradise

Reading: A Pirate Looks at Fifty by Jimmy Buffett



To celebrate his fiftieth birthday, Jimmy and some friends island-hopped around the Caribbean, a journey of nearly a month. Their purpose was to visit and re-visit the cities that can best be described as “influences” on Margaritaville. The itinerary included Georgetown, Caymen; Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua; Baranquilla & Cartagena, Colombia; Caracas, Venezuela; Port-of-Spain, Pointe-á-Pitre, Guadeloupe; Grand Case, St. Maartin; Grand Turk Island and many others.

Cannot decide which intrigues me most, the idea of cruising in the Caribbean OR listening to Jimmy Buffett’s music, or maybe both. Musing about the upcoming Western Caribbean cruise we have planned with our ballroom dance friends, I have been reading Buffett’s sort-of autobiography “A Pirate Looks at Fifty.” An entertaining book since we both began in the same decade but Jimmy has more to tell than I. The book is less story and more musings and reflections about places and memories, all told in a very casual style. Published just after his fiftieth birthday, the work may help you recall many memories of your own.

My interest peaked on one discovery in the book. Buffett learned that a college professor teaches a course entitled ”Geography based on Jimmy Buffett’s Songs.” This from Dr. W. V. Davidson, chair of the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Where was this professor when I was in school? or where was Jimmy for that matter? But out of curiosity I thought to look for references to the Grand Caymen Islands, Cancun, Mexico and Key West, Florida - all in the heart of Buffett country and all on our cruise itinerary. Sure enough, Jimmy has been to all of them, many times. The very heart of ‘Margaritaville’ lies in Key West and last year we discovered another Margaritaville in Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

What book by Jimmy Buffett would be complete without music? Lots of it. My longtime favorites of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrid & Joao Gilberto are mentioned but who knew about Milton Nascimento, or Caesario Evora (she sings in Portuguese)? Then there is reggae artist, Bob Marley and the group Desperados, who have opened for Jimmy many times (their hit: The King of Somewhere Hot). How did I miss so much? And I thought just knowing “Come Monday,” or “Pencil Thin Mustache,” would put me in the know. Obviously I have much to learn, finding cd’s of these artists and reading Buffett’s other books is now a priority - or maybe to read on the cruise.

Every year this cruise gets better, more relaxed and the dancing keeps us fit & happy. Who can resist a Cheeseburger in Paradise? Better check the map, there might be a quiz later. bb