Letter from Boston My 'Temptation Island' By MASAKO YAMADA	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
アメリカで人気のＴＶ番組「テンプテーション・アイランド」は、4組の若いカップルがカリブ海の島に渡り、それぞれのパートナー以外の人と交流するうちに起こる浮気や破局を、テレビ視聴者がのぞき見するもの。偶然にも、雅子さんとボーイフレンドは、この番組の舞台となっている島で休暇を過ごすことになりました。

There is a new "real-life" TV show called "Temptation Island" on the air now. A bunch of young, attractive people who have steady girlfriends or boyfriends are put together on an exotic island without their partners, and then the drama is allowed to unfold.

The TV audience holds its breath to see which of the members cheat on their sweethearts. It's a pretty crude concept, but I know that some very thoughtful and intellectual people have been enchanted by the show.

It seems that no amount of refinement and education can erase the desire for people to snoop on other people's personal lives * especially when the stories include conflict and betrayal!

The island in question is called Ambergris Island and is in the country of Belize. Belize is in Central America, next to Mexico and Guatemala; and like Mexico and Guatemala, it has Mayan ruins.

Since it's located in Central America, one would think that it would be a Spanish-speaking country, but it's not: until recently, it was a British colony. However, it is more interesting than that: the country has a mixture of Spanish, English, African, Chinese and native influences. It is said that the people are very laid-back and friendly.

Until a few months ago, I didn't even know where Belize was. I'm definitely not an expert on the country now, either, but I've suddenly gotten a small lesson in the history and culture. My knowledge has grown from zero to something a bit more.

I did not get my education from Professor Television; my boyfriend and I had just made plans to go to Belize for our winter vacation when this new TV series started. It was simply by coincidence that it was set in Belize.

Our decision came after much discussion, some arguments and a little bit of luck. We have different vacation preferences. I wanted to go somewhere where we could enjoy beautiful scenery without having to worry how we'd get our next meal; I like nature, but I also like hot showers, snack bars and ranger stations.

I also wanted to go to an English-speaking country, since I don't derive much pleasure in "communicating" by pointing downwards whenever I need to go to the bathroom. My boyfriend, a seasoned world traveler who speaks four or five different languages, wanted to go somewhere more exotic.

Just by chance, he happened to see some cheap tickets to Belize on the Internet. He didn't know anything about the country, either, but he was immediately attracted to the words "rain forest," "Mayan ruins" and "English-speaking."

Although most of the country is on the mainland, Belize also boasts many beautiful islands with plenty of opportunities to engage in marine sports. Although I originally wanted to go somewhere like Arizona or New Mexico (in the United States), I agreed that Belize sounded like a good place for both of us.

The weather has been dreary in Boston lately. At times, we've had rain, snow and hail in the same day. Some of the sidewalks have been slippery for weeks. I would feel better if there were mounds of fluffy white snow everywhere, but things just seem to be gray and damp.

I'm looking forward to the tropical breezes, friendly people, natural jungles and historical sites of Belize. It goes without saying that I'm looking forward to spending two weeks away from my laboratory * and my computer * as well.

I think Belize is really a "Temptation Island" for us. This isn't because we both like to lie on the beach all day with pina coladas from a hotel bar and then go dancing in resort clubs at night. We don't.

We both grew up on the northeast coast of the States, and we've never taken to beach culture. I have the same bathing suit now that I had in junior high school, and I think I've worn it only once or twice since. At times, even Californians or Hawaiians seem like foreigners.

I would say that Belize is a "temptation" because the country has such a wide enough range of things to do that both of us will be happy. When two people have such different preferences, it's not easy for both of them to be tempted by any one place. We need to keep a sharp eye out for such rare locations, and pounce on them when we find them.

Shukan ST: Feb. 9, 2001

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