When we were there in Dec/Jan that new craft shop area was pretty much empty, glad to see businesses open now.
In a somewhat unrelated event, we have been getting quite a few phone calls ftom TJ, the guy that ran the tiny cook shop not far from Tim Bamboo along the beach. I feel really bad for him, he told us he was forced to close because his place didnt meet the proper health regulations, something to do with no running water I think. He is really hard to understand when he talks, I only pick up half of what he tells me.
Honestly, I wish I knew if he was sincerely in need, or is he just looking for a handout from us. We have actually been avoiding his phone calls the last couple weeks. I know my wife would like to send him some money but I have told her we can't make him think we are walking ATM machines. A few months ago we had a sign built for his shop and sent to him, which he received a long time after we sent it, along with a few other trinkiets. I am going to call him in the next few days, and explain to him he needs to slow down and talk slowly and try to figure out how desperate he really is.
