Preface: In an effort to boost economic independence in the area the local travel industry (eg backpackers who all support the community) pushes the community to provide goods instead of begging for money. The ladies of Coffee Bay sell beaded jewelry and they are better than a small town car salesman. Women target women. “No” is not a readily understood word. When we exit our room in the morning, they’re setting up displays across the path, ready to tell us to “come look at my beads.” For the first day or two I was able to walk by with a quick “no thank you” or “not right now.”

The other day we were out on the overlook hill, watching the ocean with a couple of friends we met. Some local ladies came up, introduced themselves, and immediately sit down and whipped out their beads. We were cornered.

The hillside ladies were already pulling out their jewelry, and before I knew it they were fastening their bracelets and anklets on my appendages. I’m not opposed to buying their things anyway, and since they already had me trussed up I figured I might as well use this opportunity. I ended up buying a bracelet from two of them (because they are each their own separate businesses). I probably could have haggled them down on their pricing, but it is a few dollars for us and much much more to them. Now, I wear my bracelets daily. They’ve become my beads of defense. I see the women at their posts, or they’ll nab me on my walk to and from the main lodge, and I’ll show them my beads and say I already have some! Thanks though! They’ve become a great shield and we’ve supported the community.