Flu Shot!

The threat of swine flu (H1N1 for Scott's comfort) and the media's take on what to do about it has been quite a boon for the island. All cruise ships bound for ports along the Mexican Riviera have been rerouted to other Pacific Coast stops. Catalina Island is one of them. It's amazing how the town is transformed. On our way back from Pebbly Beach, it's unusual to see a cruise ship here, and even Olive can tell something's up.

The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce is a very proactive force in promoting the island, recognizing opportunities and making contacts. Their efforts have island merchants working at peak capacity to accommodate the cruisers. It's been a tough year overall for all tourist-dependent economies like ours, and this is unexpected.

There were two cruise ships in harbor Friday.

Saturday morning there are two different cruise ships in harbor already by 6 a.m.

We stroll back through town around noon to check on the "effects of the flu" on the island. The main street skirting the harbor, only two streets away from the quiet street where we live, is filled to the brim with people. We hear and see a lively and colorful Folklorico performance, with the two cruise ships as a backdrop:

Large crowds are enjoying the show, including a huge "pack" of men dressed in solidarity. They fill the streets, the bars, they're everywhere! They're all wearing T-shirts explaining their mission (I hope the bride is doing something fun this weekend):

Apparently the back of the shirt serves as a To Do checklist of some sort:

All I know is that they contributed to the healthy bottom line for a few merchants in town, and hopefully no one got hurt (there seemed to be quite a few of them in the fountain as I walked away).

Sunday comes, and here's another one! Welcome ashore!