Election in Dominica

Just over 2 years ago we heard the results of the US Presidential election in New Zealand.  Today we have been barraged by campaign signs, parades, and speeches on tv for the upcoming election in Dominica.  They will vote December 8, as announced by the current prime minister on November 5 (at least that's when the on-line article announcing the election was posted).

One party has lots of signs seemingly everywhere.  That's the Labour Party, the ones who currently have control.  In contrast the United Workers Party has far fewer signs (and presumably less of other resources) but seems to have candidates for all 21 elected seats in the House of Assembly.  Yes, 21 elected seats (plus 9 others)  doesn't sound like many, but the population is about 72,000, and a grand total of 37,913 people voted in the 2009 election, the most recent one.

We took a rowboat ride up Indian River -- a place where some of the Pirates of the Caribbean films were shot.  We had our own boat, and had an interesting discussion with our guide who introduced himself as Thomas Edison (he also rowed the boat).  On the way to the turnaround point -- a dockside bar in an otherwise deserted area called The Ticking Croc-- he talked about the flora, fauna, and the river which are fascinating.

On the way back we chatted about many things We discussed how it's good for the economy to have cruise ships but bad for traffic and we agreed that cruisers don't get to see much.  He asked how we'd arrived--by ferry from Martinique -- and was impressed first that we went there and second that an American could speak anything other than English -- and he was pleased that we're spending 4 nights here.  We talked about how it's hard for Dominicans to make a living since there aren't many ways to sell the easy-to-grow fruit -- the coconuts of one coconut tree can seed 1000(!) new coconut trees.....mangoes go to waste because everyone grows them but there's only a market for a small percentage of them -- as a result many young people have to go overseas to find work; our guide seems to cobble together a living as a guide (in English, French, and German), as an electrician and by doing other odd jobs as well (those who know about our Kangaroo Island adventure in Australia will be pleased to know that we refrained from asking him if he's also the mayor).  I would add that he's a clever salesman....we struggled to make the right turn in traffic to get to the parking area and he stopped traffic, showed us where to park,and offered to be our boat guide (note: if you drive on the left side of the road it's the right turns that are challenging....haven't seen any FedEx trucks here but obviously they would minimize right turns).

Finally we chatted about the election.....he told us that that Labour Party has 18 of the 21 elected seats....and he shared his disdain for the current administration. 

After dinner Jeff suggested going to the hotel bar for a daiquiri and, as it turned out, a rum punch.  The tv was blaring a series of Labour Party speeches and several employees were watching. There seem to be an impressive number of employees for a 17-room hotel with a bar and restaurant....and while admittedly it's still the shoulder season for tourism, there's a decent possibility we are the only current guests so the employees have some available time.

If we're clever, we'll look for the election results on or after December 8.  Somehow we're guessing that the Las Vegas casinos are not offering any odds for the results.