Above you will see a picture of something very exciting: Grenada’s one – and I believe only – escalator.
It doesn’t work.
In fact, rumour has it that it only worked for a short time after being built, and has never been repaired. This was a long time ago – predating my arrival to Grenada by years.
But I’m pretty sure that Grenadians aren’t too perturbed by this inconvenience; there are stairs, and there’s an elevator for those who can’t manage stairs.
This escalator is evidence (to me, in my humble opinion) of a country trying to make the leap from “developing” to “developed”. But sometimes those efforts are misdirected; instead of trying to stay on top of the technology curve by installing an escalator (for which there aren’t any repair technicians or easy access to parts), a coat of paint and some structural repairs for the whole town (which would likely have cost the same amount of money) could have more of an effect.
What would you recommend to a developing country like Grenada as a measure to take to become more “developed”?
Below please find my latest published musings, including a piece on planning vs flexibility (and why we need both in our lives), and a guest post on the art of financially sustainable travel. Enjoy!
Care One
Planning vs Flexibility: Opposites or Companions?
Sometimes planning isn’t all it’s cut out to be. Then again, floating direction-less through life in the name of being flexible seems a little pointless. Where is the sweet spot?
Profiles & Shout-Outs:
I was invited by We Said Go Travel to share my journey to – and the art of – financially sustainable full-time travel.
The Art of Financially Sustainable Travel
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Nora,
Interesting post..I never knew this..What would I recomend? well first of all I think modernization of a country is do-able and a leap forward is not impossible…they need to learn from a country like Singapore..When Singapore became independent in the late 1960′s, not only did they have nothing…it was a filthy, run down down state with little or no prospects for the future…today, they have transformed themselves into a world financial power house…and they did all this in a very short period of time…food for thought.
What an interesting example you’ve cited with Singapore. I wonder what the secret to such (sustainable) growth is…and how a country like Grenada could replicate that.
Well Nora….The secret was a commitment to improve their collective lot and a non-corrupt leader who was determined to see his people not only survive but prosper and prosper they did. Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew was crying and desperate when Malaysia announced It would let Singapore go. He didn’t know how the people will survive next and it bothered him no end. In case you’re wondering if I’m Asian…no I’m a Canadian interested in a lot of things…like traveling…history….. But The man managed to put his feelings out of the equation and created a country that should be and is now a world example of what can be achieved… in a short period of time.
Can Grenada or any other country do the same: Certainly…it can be done.
Grenada can improve by first trying to fix that escalator…I mean how much does it really take..it’s probably a blown fuse….
In general, the whole world can improve if the people populating the world could be provided with the 3 very simple basic requirements of life… without strings attached to the providers.. and these are:
1- Food
2-Shelter
3-Sex
As human beings these are the basics we need and if fulfilled we will not fight…but remember number one priority is food
Great food for thought, and thanks for the history lesson! (No really)!
Your point about providing the basic essentials in life reminds me of a post I wrote about poverty a while ago:
http://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/2012/06/dealing-with-poverty-on-the-road/