Alligators

[ldygwynedd]

I've lived in Florida for 30 years. My home is located on a canal that has alligators in it. We raised two children in this house, with the canal just twenty feet from their bedroom windows. I raised them to be aware of the alligators and told them exactly why. They may have had gator nightmares but I figured therapy as an adult was cheaper

Comments

[billijean]

I remember this. And when I read the news article, I made my husband read it, because when we were at Disney in June 2010, there was a little (tiny) sand beach at our resort. It had a no swimming sign. Yet, one afternoon, I found M there with C, who was 3, playing in the tiny strip of sand, and running along in the shallow water.

I. Lost. My. Fucking. Mind.

If someone has taken the time to post a sign, there must be a reason. I am going to believe that there is some good reason. Maybe the water isn't clean. Maybe there are unexpectedly strong currents. Being in Florida, its probably because there are alligators.

When I said that it could be because of alligators, he laughed. Like, full on, I can't believe you are so stupid stupid laughter. I couldn't believe it. I was in tears. I was being rational; it wasn't crazy to be cautious of alligators given where we were. But he would not have it. He just could not fathom that gators are as ubiquitous as they are. I remember that I said to him, The Magic Kingdom isn't REALLY magic; they can't just keep the wildlife out.

While we were having this heated discussion, another couple came up with their two kids. The man literally stood and listened to us. He also laughed at me, then told his wife "She thinks there's alligators" and then they both laughed, and sat down in the sand at the edge of the water with their two toddlers.

I picked up C and left. M was mad at me all day.

Two mornings later, M had taken C for an early walk while I showered. As I was putting on my shoes, he came into our room, ashen faced and said, "Come here, quick". The three of us walked down through the gardens to where the walkway went along the water, just a few yards from the little strip of sand where we'd been two days before. And swimming there, was an alligator. Not a big one, not even 3 feet. M was horrified. And he was having a hard time sorting it all out in his brain because what he was seeing was proof that things were very different than he had believed them to be.

I took full advantage of the moment. I said, "In two weeks, we move to India. I expect you not to question my judgement when it comes to safety." And he never did. And he even happily followed my rules about washing the kitchen counters and sweeping all the floors twice a day (because crumbs attract bugs, bugs attract rodents, and rodents attract snakes, and given that there were full grown cobras in the garden, we should be careful about that).

So yes, I agree. People from away can be ignorant, or just unable to accept that something so dangerous can just be walking around like it's normal. I think the signs should have been clearer. Given M's reaction, though, I can see why Disney would want to avoid telling people why they shouldn't swim there, it's just really upsetting to people and they're in the business of happiness. Plus, a good portion of people would still ignore the sign, assuming it to be 'just for insurance reasons, to cover their asses'. As a rule, people don't take instruction very well.

Similarly, in India, I was consistently shocked by the shock of expats upon discovering a snake in their house or garden. Or when a tiger was spotted in a village. Or when monkeys stole food from their children and were rather rough about it... I developed a standard reply to these stories: What do you watch on tv? Because I suggest a little less junk and a little more David Attenborough. .. but I can be kind of a jerk lol