How I find my inspiration in Bacardi

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10: Whenever I’m feeling sad or blue about the economy in Bermuda, I go to a special place that’s all my own. Somehow it makes me feel a little bit better to see that at least there’s one place in Bermuda that doesn’t show any outward signs of a ravaged local economy.

Quietly and discreetly, I slip off my shoes and stand on the vast lawn. Each narrow blade of grass peeks through my toes and as I squeeze and tighten and then release the muscles in my feet, my cares and woes dissipate almost instantly.

Beyond, I hear the dulcet sounds of cascading water and the sense of relief is so great that I allow myself to think, perhaps only momentarily, that my bank account is not in a state of negative balance.

Where is this secret place? Why it’s the front lawn of Bacardi International Limited. It’s perfection, in a corporate sort of way.

Everyone has their own personal barometer when it comes to judging certain economic conditions and Bacardi’s front lawn is mine. You will not find a single weed or brown spot and the flower beds flanking the lawn are magnificent.

I once witnessed an errant leaf fall from a nearby tree and rest upon the centre of the lawn, but it was only there briefly. Even the falling leaves seem to know not to disrupt the peaceful vista.

I have always been an optimist but lately I am succumbing to that nagging feeling that we might not ever get out of this endless recession. It’s probably a little ridiculous to be looking at someone’s front lawn to determine how bad the economy is but for me, Bacardi’s beautifully manicured lawn at least gives me hope that all is not lost.

After all, if anyone knows firsthand about adversity, it’s the Bacardis. You can’t come through decades of political upheavals, a war of independence, confiscated assets, product theft and one small revolution and not be a little bruised.

What’s impressive is that Bacardi’s story is not so much the David and Goliath tale of a single battle, but a story of relentless perseverance. They dug deep, followed their instincts and kept going.  They weren’t quitters.

Bermuda is in real trouble and the town of St. George’s is especially hurting. Since 2007, the Park Hyatt Hotel has been an ongoing hallucination in the minds of a few and doesn’t show signs of materializing any time soon. Each day one is left wondering what business will be the next to close its doors. 

You would be right to think that the situation is dire but recently the mayor of St George’s, Kenneth Bascome, and eight business owners and museum officials, formed an activities committee to see if they can breathe some life in to the Old Town.

Rather than being dragged down by the island wide disease of complacency and waiting for permission to do something, they are taking control. I don’t know Mayor Bascome but I like a man who takes matters in to his own hands. Perhaps unwittingly, Mayor Bascome and his colleagues may have started their own revolution.

The ancient town of St George’s is the living legacy of Bermuda — your legacy. I’m glad the Mayor and the business leaders of St George’s decided to quit waiting for an answer and are instead, attempting to create a solution of their own for the future of St. George’s.

Bermuda doesn’t need one more armchair correspondent making comments under a pen name on the Internet — it needs action. If you can’t run with the St George’s team, then stay on the wall. 

Need inspiration? Let me suggest a visit to the corporate headquarters of Bacardi International Limited. When you’re there, don’t forget to admire the ceiling in the lobby. Cleverly recreated through lighting and special glass cubes, the constellation appears exactly as it did on the night of February 4, 1862 when Don Facundo Bacardi Masso founded Bacardi.

This is surely a fitting acknowledgement as I suspect that there were too many occasions to count where he must have looked heavenward in frustration and cursed the day he started his company. But he kept at it and today, seven generations later, through triumphs and travails, the company is the largest privately held spirits company in the world.

I think of this every time I pass by to inspect the grass. It’s too bad Don Facundo Bacardi Masso never saw Bermuda. He would have been impressed with this amazing island and her people. I think he also would have liked the idea that his 150 year old company might have something to show a 400 year old town.