THE LAST WORD

Knowledge of Things Caymanian

by Barrie Quappe, Host/Producer of ‘Cayman Crosstalk’ with Barrie Quappe, Rooster 101.9FM

Friday,  December 2, 2005

I applaud the efforts to uplift Cayman culture that are appearing everywhere these days. We now have a Craft Market, Cayman Jazz Fest featuring local artists, local story tellers and so on.

Now when persons apply for Permanent Residency they must sit a test on things Caymanian. One of the questions, I was told, was the square miles of Little Cayman. Well I am Caymanian and have lived here my whole life and I wouldn’t have a clue to the answer so I don’t know how that number would help improve an understanding of things Caymanian. With that I decided to write down a few that might really help:

1.         Where is the best place to eat a mango?

a). In a chaise lounge?

b). In a back yard with a bee hive nearby?

c). In the sea?
 

2.         What are the opening lyrics to the Cayman National Song?

a). Oh say can you see ?

b). Oh land of soft fresh breezes ?

c). Oh Canada?
 

3.         Who of the following can be considered as Cayman Music Royalty?

a). Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney?

b). Radley Gourzong and Andy Martin?

c). Sponge Bob Square Pants?
 

4.         Your view on work permits?

a). A pain in the ***?

b). Protection of Caymanian citizen’ s employment opportunities?

c). A non-business friendly obligation?
 

5.         Visas now required for countries identified as high risk is:

a). A pain in the ***?

b). A dumb idea?

c). A necessary and normal border protection measure used world-wide?
 

6.         The difference between a plantain and a banana?

a). A what and a banana?

b). One you eat cooked and one you can eat raw or cooked?

c). There’s a difference?
 

7.         Durty Reid is:

a). A peg legged swashbuckling pirate who discovered Cayman in 1501?

b). A local real estate agent ?

c). The owner of a popular sports bar in Cayman and decorated US war veteran?
 

8.         The diving pioneer in the Cayman Islands is:

a). Lloyd Bridges ?

b). Boy George ?

c ). Bob Soto ?
 

9.         Where is Boggy Sand Rd?

a). West Bay ?

b). South Beach ?

c). Stretched along the long sandy coast of Cayman Brac ?

I would ask that you take the time to answer these questions carefully and e-mail your responses to barriequappe@yahoo.com 

My view is that if you have been here long enough to qualify for Permanent Residency you must answer all questions correctly. If not your application will most likely be denied.

The correct answers will be revealed in next week’s column.

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