Saturday, 9 January 2016

Welcome to Paradise






I arrived on the island after a very long flight from London, stopping off in Miami and then taking a tiny plane to the island. My body is still recovering from the 37 hour flight from India and then the 3 days lost with fever finally ending in hospital admittance with Norovirus. Therefore the anxiety of moving continent combined with my fragile state of health meant that I was constantly on the verge of tears.  


Things didn’t get off to a swimming start. At Heathrow, an American security guard instantly told me you will not be boarding the plane today, not without an Esta”. The tears then trickled and of course the man backed down from his pedestal of intimidation, trying to comfort me and directing me to the Esta browser. I then sat there fumbling with my mobile phone. God I hate my fat fingers – thanks Dad! I finally boarded the plane to be sat next to the very charming Kyle from Turks and Caicos. It was so refreshing to sit next to someone I could hold a decent conversation with and for such a long flight. In the end he gave me his card and as he’s on a nearby island we may meet again.

I got to Miami and to say everyone was helpful would be a complete lie. MIA was just like Delhi airport, only full of overweight Westerners – is that nasty of me? After queuing for an hour in order to go through another set of security for my connecting flight, I was then directed to ‘concourse 4/terminal J’ ‘on the other side of security!!!! So of course I had to queue for another hour. And when I asked for help, did anyone listen to me? No. They just passed me to ‘checkpoint 3, no 2, no, concourse D, no, just passed Starbucks.’ I was not happy and even had another cry. After getting through security I boarded my final flight to Grand Cayman. With the overhead lockers being full I had to check in my carry on and my yoga mat. I NEVER EVER check in my yoga mat for the exact reason that I just KNOW they’ll lose it. And as expected, they did! Myself, along with half the other passengers on the plane had our cases left in Miami, so I then waited in line where one poor local had to report each missing case one by one.

Wearily, I managed to get a taxi to Sunshine Suites, where I’ll be staying for the week. I can’t say I recall what the place looked like, I was far too tired and it was pitch black. All I remember is clambering onto a super king bed and melting into the memory foam mattress. Ughhhhhh this is paradise!!!

Aaaaaaannnnnnd sleep!


This morning I awoke to emails, Whatsapp messages, Messenger bubbles and Facebook notifications, all wanting to know if I had arrived safely. Over breakfast I began to type away and leave voice messages for all of you.

Then what? What was there to do next?

I wandered to the beach and did what everyone I’ve met on the island so far had instructed. I got myself a towel and bed and sunbathed….for one hour, two hours, three hours. I felt very strange. Uneasy. Agitated. Surely I should be doing something. An errand to run. Something to organize. Work to prepare…

Nope.

I took a walk to the main road and hailed the local bus. Yes, we don’t wait for buses here, these mini bus like vehicles will stop at the side of the road when you raise your hand J I then wondered into Georgetown to get a local sim. Not with any luck though, everywhere shut at 2pm. So I mooched around, realising how flat the island is – perfect if I start my running again. Which reminds me, I must purchase so more trainers, but I’m unsure if stores actually ship to the island.

So my plan for tomorrow – I have my mat back now so morning practice to get some routine back into my life. After breakfast I’m then getting picked up to go and view an apartment. I’m not sure what to expect but a 1 bedroom apartment instead of a mice infested room in a shared house has got to win any day J And of course it must be big enough to accommodate my many visitors.


Sunshine Suites


2 comments:

  1. Wowsers, what a start to your new life. One things for sure, you'll have many stories to share with your grandkids and/or Nieces and Nephews! Wishing you love and light in the land of paradise Em. Go with the laid back lifestyle, many of us crave it and now you have it. Looking forward to reading more of your exploits and to one day, visiting! xxx

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  2. After a bit of a shaky start, and an interesting one at that, I hope that you are in a good routine and starting to find your way around. Love your photos. I expect you will find the pace of life hard to deal with at first as it is probably much slower than London. Look forward to reading your next Blog Love you, Aunty K x

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