‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land, Not a tourist was stirring, child, woman, nor man. The beaches were sunny, the water was warm, “But where are the visitors?” locals cried with alarm. “It’s the economy,” they whispered, “and no one has money. Can’t pay the mortgage, can’t go where it’s sunny.” OK, I’m not going to be named Poet Laureate anytime soon, but you get the idea. Barbados is my favorite winter vacation spot, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this empty. The global economic meltdown has, sadly, spread to Barbados as well. A number of decent, mid-range hotels have closed. Some are closed under the mantel of “refurbishment” (In the middle of high season? With no visible workers?), some are actively being demolished, and some are just shuttered and
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