SWITCHING ONE ISLAND FOR ANOTHER

"They" say that change is the only consistent in life - besides birth and death I guess.  And so we find ourselves changing up once again.  Packing up our lifestyle and worldly goods in Bermuda and depositing same in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

We have been on the island since early January and, apart from the first two weeks of buying groceries and linens, putting up blinds, and supervising the last of the renovations, we are settling into a comfortable and lazy island routine. We have been blessed with good weather and temperatures in the 20’s on most days.

The view from the balcony is fabulous.  It has become our favourite place for sipping wine at sunset and quiet reading.  We love our walks on the nearby beaches - feeling our feet sink into warm, powdery soft, white sand;  listening to the rhythm of the  white, frothy waves; and looking out over  sparkling turquoise water.  We love  our casual meals at beach side restaurants watching petrels skim the water, while beach goers swim or catch the sun.    

The pace is slow and, as we South Africans say: “More is nog ‘n dag” (Tomorrow is another day).  Our everyday routine has begun to reflect the waters on the canal outside our home - calm and still and quiet.  Just how we envisioned it.  

This change will be good I think.

STRESS AND STASIS

It has been some time since I sat down to write on my blog.  I seem to be the proof of my own hypothesis: that the stress of dealing with negative and undesirable events and situations can often result in a total suspension of activity - right now I am the epitomy of the "deer caught in headlights" phenomenon.

But it's not just that I appear to be more lethargic, and less motivated to "seize the day", it's also a stasis of mind.  Like a dog chasing it's own tail, I seem to go around in circles, unable to escape the incessant repetition of the same thoughts, over and over again.  There has been so much going on that it impacts on emotions as well - I feel I am in a state of constant anticipation - with the predominant fear of wondering what's round the next corner and always expecting it to be difficult or bad.  It's being nervous to open emails or answer phones - holding my breath until I know for sure what it's all about.  Sighing with relief when it's not negative.   

And doesn't that just tie into the next known factor - anticipatory anxiety is a curse and just why can't I learn that for the most part, the incoming messages are not all hostile or insurmountable.  In fact, very few are harbingers of doom.

I really need to learn to let go, to solve only the problems or the parts of the problem that I am capable of at the time, shut my mind off from the obviously inaccessible or insoluble ..... and move on.  How about practicing what I preach - Mindfulness - staying in the moment, making the most of what you have presently. 

Stress seems to make me stuck in time, unable to move forward unless I am able to have the problem or situation solved to my satisfaction.  The problem with that is you miss out on all the positive going on around you.  It's like being in an airplane that is circling a major airport for hours - unfulfilling, tedious and a useless waste of time.  

Recent stress points:  my brother Leigh's death in February, my mother's continuing battle with emphysema far away in South Africa and her death in July, living far away from grandchildren in Canada, experiencing Hurricane Nicole firsthand in Bermuda, losing our home to Hurricane Matthew in Grand Bahama, negotiating an imminent retirement from the school board,  dealing with partners work situation - company closing down, trying to get our worldly goods off the island is bits and pieces, trying to sort out the condo issues on Grand Bahama island: dealing with condo owners who are quick to complain and criticize, but never offer solutions or volunteer to help, dealing with legal proceedings because of an illegal condo Board, a condo Board that caused financial fallout by underhandedly underinsuring our building so that condo fees did not increase, dealing with six months of project management to reconstruct and repair our home, and doing a lot of it long distance, spending weeks alone in Freeport trying to exhort tradesmen to complete their work timeously and professionally.  And that's just to name the worst of the stress points over the last few months.  Not in that list because they are just minor irritants: no car in Canada as it was totalled in an accident, not being in our own home, dealing with difficult renters in  our primary home, trying to prepare for the next big cliff jump as we both move into retirement. 

I hereby resolve to change my behavior forthwith!  Out with the old and in with the new!
My goal - appreciate each day that I am given.
Concentrate on the positive and try, really try, to let go of the negative and the worry. 

Seize the day!

KING TIDES

We woke up this morning to an ocean overlapping the sea wall.   For the first time ever, we saw a  water line well above the usual high tide mark.  The water was creating slushy pools in the grass and flower beds.  This was certainly not a high tide, nor even a leap tide.  We found out that it's called a king tide - which is apparently a very unusual phenomenon.

We took a walk down to St. George's -  to find the town square drowning in water.  Restaurant coffee tables were 4 inches under water and you would have needed wellies to wade through the tide to sit down and have a relaxing morning coffee.    Some people had some fun later by bringing their little sailboat into the square and actually sailing it - to much laughter from the crowd.

The phenomenon has been a four day wonder - the talk of the town, and quite a few articles in the local newspaper.  L.F. Wade Airport long-term parking lot was so far under water that they undertook to move cars with a forklift (glad it wasn't mine) - this after asking people to remove their cars because the salt water would be a hazard for the engines.  I guess nobody thought about the fact that long-term parking at the airport meant that the person was unlikely to come to the airport anytime soon.  Certainly a surprise encounter on their return though!

Ruth Curry, physical oceanographer at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, said that two factors were responsible for the high water that submerged low-lying portions of the island over the weekend, including King’s Square in St George. Ms Curry said the recent full moon, coupled with a warm ocean eddy passing Bermuda, was to blame. She added: “This is no a consequence of global warming, but is a very unususal phenomenon.”

Another interesting event in Bermuda. 

PARADISE IS A STATE OF MIND

What makes us happy? At one with the world? Content with our lot?  None of us will come up with the same answer - we will each respond to a different call - and that's how it should be.

Ask a dung beetle - her answer will surely be "face down in a fresh cow patty rolling a perfect ball to trundle home to the family".   Us humans are a little more diverse I would think - line up 50 people and pose the question and you would probably get 50 different answers.

My own philosophy - aspire to your own dreams and definitions of happiness without worrying about what the next person is doing.  No one should dictate, approve, or disapprove another individuals choices.  As long as the dream is within the bounds of socially appropriate behavior, and realistic in expectations, then all dreams or goals should be entertained and hopefully achieved.  

Diversity and variations on a theme make the world a happy place, if we would just let it happen.

Each to his own and each of us should let it be!  Just like the Beatles/beetles tell us. 

AMERICA'S CUP

As stated on the official site: "The America’s Cup, sailing’s pinnacle event, is the oldest and arguably the most difficult trophy in the world to win. For the first time in its history, the 166 year old competition will be hosted in Bermuda."

Living in Bermuda has given us the privilege of participating in a world event that we would never have had otherwise.  America's Cup only comes round every four years and always in a part of the world where we have been unable to go.   Now, here it is - on our doorstep - how could we not attend!  Starting on May 26th through June 27th 2017, it has the whole island in its grip.  

All the harbours are filled with yachts, sailboats and megayachts from around the world.  Visitors are everywhere, and hotels and restaurants are filled to capacity.  Flags fly everywhere.  The excitement is almost palpable - smiling faces abound, music is in the air.  

The event itself is at Dockyard.  The American team US Oracle has been here for the last four years and we have often seen them out on the seas practicing and training on every sunny day that presents itself.  Now the teams from New Zealand, France, England, Japan and Sweden have set up camp as well.  The yachts are amazing to look at - catamaran style - but so far advanced in technology and design that they are a set apart from every other yacht I have ever seen.  Dockyard has been extended and refurbished to accommodate all the visitors.  Special events have been organized.  Huge tv screens are everywhere for those of us who don't have VIP seats. 

We loved watching the yachts perform their choreographed moves - looking so much like dancers on waves.   We had prime spots at the sea wall to watch the finish of each race.  I was cheerleading for US Oracle - they have done so much for children's education on the island.  Patrick was rooting for England. 

Sadly neither of us won - New Zealand took the cup and unfortunately for Bermuda, will take the event to New Zealand.

Nice to have another bucket list item checked.

LIVING ON THE ROCK

Locals refer to Bermuda as "The Rock'.   It's a rather apt description if you think about.  Topographically, we live at the top of a submerged mountain in the middle of the Atlantic.  The islands lie on top of an extinct volcano.  The so-called Bermuda Platform was also created by "reef building corals, vermetid snails and calcareous algae that colonized the eroding seamount" (1). 

Suffice it to say that the island is made up of a mixture of volcanic rock and limestone.  There are no fresh water rivers, and no lakes.  There are patches of land that are arable, but very little in the way of agriculture is possible.  The plants, trees and shrubs are lush and beautiful despite the hard rock beneath.

Despite its foundations, there are luxuriant golf courses and dense tropical nature reserves dotted all over.  Accordingly, living on 'The Rock' even with it's bowling ball core is a fabulous experience.

(1)  Introduction to Bermuda: Geology, Oceanography and Climate in Coral Reefs of the World 2013 P115 to 133

ISLAND PROBLEMS

Oh, the problems we endure whilst living on the island. 

To wit - this post seen lately via IWC Facebook: 

"Does anyone know of a coconut-removal service I could call to remove several bunches of coconuts from a very tall and thin palm tree? The tree is taller than our house and looms above my kids' outside play area. Our gardeners said it is too high for them to deal with..."

Oh, my heart - the trials and tribulations!  In my humble opinion, this makes me feel truly blessed!  How lucky we are to be beset by problems of this magnitude.   Do we truly appreciate the fact that most of us who live in countries of the Western world do not usually have to deal with obstacles and issues of earth-shattering significance?  

Most of us in the vicinity of North America have access to running water, organized public transportation, shelter, a variety of job options, a smorgasbord of food in the grocery stores - the big things are all there for the taking.  Opportunities and potential abound.

Now, that is not to say that all of us don't have to deal with the darker side of life: death of loved ones, consequences of accidents, health issues, and climatic calamities that nature throws our way.  

But truly, barring those awful events that all of us must deal with from time to time, I do believe that we should be grateful and thankful for the fortunate lives that the universe has dealt us. 

Time to smell the roses I think.... or the hibiscus here on the island.