Ok, ok, I admit I am overreacting a tiny bit. I don’t think I will trade in my cozy life under the Caribbean sun, at least not permanently but sometimes I do fantasize about living in a cold country again. Right about now a reader in some colder weather, all bundled up and holding on for dear life to a hot coffee mug is screaming: WHY?
I hear ya, my dear Popsicle. I do. Blame it on the whole “the grass is always greener” BS or perhaps it is just human nature to always want what we do not have.
Fact is I have lived in a cold country for 6 years and completely understand what it is like to walk in slush, feeling like your ears are about to just fall off your face and making unladylike falls on icy pavements. No, my fantasies are not based on hallmark cards and Christmas movies where the snow is always perfectly white and there is always that handsome stranger waiting to catch you when you’re abut to hit the pavement.
After 14 years of being back in the Caribbean I sometimes find myself shamelessly fantasizing about trading all of this heat in for a little cold, at least for a week or two. Especially when spending time on Facebook, looking at pictures posted like this one by my beautiful friend and fellow blogger Heather from My Dutch Life who recently traded her island life for hard cold winter days in the Netherlands.
The reasons why I would trade my Caribbean life for a bit of cold weather may baffle you, or not.
Reason Number 1: The Chewbacca Syndrome
One winter, back when I used to live in the Netherlands I was invited by my girlfriends to go to a sauna. Like a good little island girl I quickly made a waxing appointment, cause God forbid I have a bathing suit malfunction while not perfectly groomed. Little did naive little me know that first of all most European saunas are “sans” robes and secondly everyone walked around in their birthday suits. And let’s just say that it appeared that president “Bush”was quite favored among most of the sauna visitors. Since then I decided to do as the Romans, or in this case the Dutch do and took grooming advice from everyone’s favorite Wookie, Chewie. How I miss those hairy days. The winter meant no need for shaving, waxing, plucking or zapping (at least if you were single). If living in the cold means I can go without this daily or weekly torture routine, sign me up.
Reason Number 2: “Layer” it on me
Cold weather means great fashion. The boots, the coats, the jackets it all sums up to Fashion heaven. And the best part? You can layer and hide all your fluffiness. Isn’t that just wonderful?
Sweaters over t-shirts matched with tight faded jeans and high boots. Add a swanky scarf, some cute ear muffs and a cute double breasted coat. Yes, I can definitely live like that for a few weeks. Believe it or not it is hard to look fashionable in the Caribbean when all you want to do sometimes is walk around in your mismatched underwear.
Reason number 3: Call me Mrs. Snuggles
Outside is cold while inside is warm and cozy. The cold weather makes for a perfect excuse to stay in and cuddle up to your favorite person or pet. There is nothing like binge watching your favorite TV show, wrapped in a warm blanket while sipping on hot chocolate. Yummmm. Here in the Caribbean a night in means air conditioner or fan on, all oiled up in mosquito repellent and with a mosquito zapper in hand.
There you have it. My top 3 reasons for trading this Caribbean life in for a little cold weather. Now who is willing to play “Trading Places” for a week?
Much <3 from too hot to handle St. Maarten