A couple of years ago the city got a letter from a couple who'd come out for the Return of the Swallows. They were angry, though, that not enough swallows really came back, and essentially accused us all of being liars.
And now this pops into my mailbox, after the 2009 Parade:
Dear Mr. Volzke,
Last Saturday night my wife and I decided to spend the evening in downtown San Juan Capistrano. For months now we have been thinking aobut relocating from Belmont Heights, Long Beach, to such a charming town. We have been scouting properties and have previewed a few. Yet, after witnessing the mess that downtown is on weekends we have discarded the possibility of relocating there.
As we made our way through downtown alll we found was filth, broken beer bottles, rowdy crowds and a sea of drunkards. What kind of city allows this? How can you advertise your city for tourism without disclosing the nightmare it becomes on Saturday nights?
I hope one day this beautiful city and its mission can be cleaned up and be a place where families can enojy a weekend in peace.
Sincerely,
George and Robin Schneider
Long Beach, CA
I wrote back and explained that judging SJC on parade weekend is like judging New Orleans on Fat Tuesday or Long Beach on the weekend of the Grand Prix. I offered an insider's tour if they want to return...
UPDATE:
The good feelings return. I just got this email:
Just have to say how much we enjoyed the parade and festivities in San Juan Capistrano last Saturday. It was our first visit and definitely won't be our last to your charming and hospitable area. Everyone we met was friendly and hospitable. We had a ball!
Vicki and Ken Menges
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
To bad for them. Have them come down for the Tree Lighting and see what they think when Santa roams the street and we have Los Posadas, tamales and warm greetings over the holidays. Wow, hope they never go to New York City on New Year's Eve.
Yes, their loss.
Posted by: Jennifer Pointer | March 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM