Starting a blog. I have a lot of thoughts and I don't think its safe for them to all stay inside my head so for my personal sake, I am writing things down.
I guess I'll start by introducing myself, just because whenever I am faced with a blank sheet of paper I want it to know my history. My name is Alexa, I am married to my prince charming, I love to cook but never share my cooking because I'm self conscious, I hate camping, I run 4 retail stores, and oh yea.. I live on an island.
When I was younger I always wanted to be a "beach bum" and live near a beach, but I guess I've taken that one step further and now I am surrounded by beaches. I live in the Caribbean, where the palm trees high, the beaches are many, and the sun is always shining. I think the excitement of living on an island has started to wear off because I don't find it THAT cool anymore, but then I remember not many people can say they live on an island and only about 48,000 people can say they live on this island so that makes me feel pretty cool.
Now that the introduction is done, I want to talk to you about something A LOT of people ask me.
"So you live here?" That is the most common question I get when I go to work. I find it kind of a stupid question... I just checked you out and handed you your receipt, of course I live here. I don't come swimming in the with tide every morning, although that would be cool! The second question that always follows is what's it like? That is a question I can answer..
So what's it really like living on an island? There are some things you need to understand. Yes, it's paradise, yes its beautiful, and yes there is always a beach about 15 minutes away.. actually everything is 15 minutes away because we are that small of an island. But there are some down falls to living on an island (WHAT!? yes shocking I know). So if you really are thinking about moving to an island or if you're really curious what could possibly be bad about living on an island then read on.
Here are top 5 things you need to make sure you can handle before you pack your bags.
#1 Island time is a real thing..
I'm sure you have heard the expression "island time" but you probably don't know it's a real thing and sometimes it's a painful thing. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY is in a hurry here. If you want to go out and eat before catching a movie but only have 45 minutes, you can forget it. Nobody likes to be in a hurry here and since they're not in a hurry you shouldn't be either. If you live on the adrenaline of crowds, fast pace, and constantly changing environments the island lifestyle is not for you.
#2 We pay for it..
"Is it expensive to live down here?" Of course it is! If it wasn't there would be A LOT more people. Everything has to be boated or flown in which makes the price go up. A gallon of milk costs $6.88 (on a good day), gas is typically double the price of whatever it is in the states. Rent? yes very expensive.. and utilities.. crazy expensive. If you run your AC you're considered rich. Average utility bill around here is a game. I've seen everything from $100/month to $600/month. It pays to live in paradise.
#3 There are bugs EVERYWHERE
Lets not limit ourselves here there are bugs, lizards, frogs, ants, and sometimes even snakes that can get in your house without you even knowing it. They know how to survive. I swear sometimes I should get a medal for how many creatures I've caught inside my house (okay fine my husband should get the medal). If I leave food out it will be COVERED in ants within the hour. Left my door open for too long? A lizard has found its new shelter and those things are quick so wish me luck catching it! The mosquitoes down here are fierce and they love fresh blood. Heard of sand fleas? They're real and they suck. If you think you walking on the beach at sunset will become part of your nightly routine, it won't with those babies around, they attack and have no mercy. Worst part you won't know you got attacked until the next morning when the itching bumps appear.
#4 We honk.. at everything
I don't know if this applies to all islands but the two I have lived on this is very true. We honk to say thank you, screw you, move, hurry, look out, and hey it's Tuesday There aren't really rules here when it comes to driving.. they're more like guidelines. The goal is to be aggressive but defensive, the roads are narrow, and the hills are high. Oh and we drive on the left.. So right is wrong and left is right and if you don't act fast enough you'll get honked at, and if you act too fast you'll get honked at, just plan on being honked at. Also 2 for 1. The islanders are crazy nice when it comes to letting people in on a busy road because remember no on is in a hurry so it doesn't matter if they let 6 more cars in front of them go. BUT remember 2 for 1. If you are letting a car in or go in front of you the second car will follow. It's a guideline or some type of unwritten rule if one car pulls out in front of you (it will happen) just stop because the second car is going to do it to weather you want them to or not. Oh and they'll probably honk the whole time.
#5 Karma... we take it very seriously.
My absolute favorite part about living on this island is the people. They are some of the nicest and most caring people you will ever meet... but only if you say good morning. Good morning is from early to EXACTLY noon then its good afternoon until dark, and from dark on you say good night.. to EVERYONE. If we are walking on the street we say it, we say it at the tax office, DMV, restaurants, and pretty much anywhere and everywhere. If you don't say it, they won't be nice to you. I believe islanders take karma into their own hands, since you didn't give them a proper greeting they don't have to be nice to you. Fair is fair. I have seen multiple times people come into a store and ask where the bathroom is.. no hello, morning, or anything just a demand to know where the bathroom is.. so taking karma into their own hands they will point them in the opposite direction. It pays to be nice here. This island isn't praised on customer service and people complain the islanders are so mean.. but chances are its your own fault you got treated that way, you didn't say good morning. Karma, she lives on this island
So there are 5 things in my opinion you need to heavily consider if you want to live on this island. This is just my experience and things I have noticed from living on islands, but if you were to ask me if the good outweigh the bad I wouldn't even hesitate to say yes.
Just remember the island isn't for everyone and living here is different than vacationing here. If you can handle those 5 things you can make it here. Then you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, calming beaches, and you get to say you live in paradise.
