It’s been a year and change since I started this wonderful journey into the, to me back then unknown world of Travel Blogging. Of course I did the necessary research before hitting “Publish” on my very first blog post on that faithful day in June of last year. Google became my best friend in those days and my reason, or reasons for starting the blog were all very well documented in my early blog posts.
According to the urban dictionary a Bucket List is a list of things to do before you uhm well, kick the bucket.
To me the Bucket List is simply a list of things I must achieve or at least try my darnest to make a reality. I have lived far too long in fear of doing what I want to do and I am not the only one. You always seem to have a reason, or rather an excuse, not to do the things you wish you could. It’s always too expensive, too far, too early, too late or too something or there is always someone in the way: maybe if I was still single, when the kids grow up, yada yada yada. You know what I am talking about, don’t you?
I started blogging mainly because therapy is just too expensive and I already mentioned countless of times how I had a sudden revelation when I turned 40 (It’s a Big World out there) and how I was searching for myself (How to find yourself on a tiny island) and what all I planned to do to be a happier person (7 new year’s resolution I intend to keep).
Well, my kitten died on Sunday. It was yet another devastating blow in what has been a devastatingly crappy year so far. I lost a total of 3 pets, I had one major car accident, owe a small fortune in bills and have too many heavy arguments with my husband. So in other words Code Red on the stress level and hitting the reboot button has never been more appealing.
I was born and raised in the Caribbean and with the exception of a brief stint in the Netherlands have been an island girl pretty much all of my life. Even though I have not yet experienced each island in the Caribbean, I have come to the realization that we have quite a lot in common. This is mostly based on the different island nationalities I’ve encountered here on St. Maarten or the different islands I have visited in my lifetime.
What makes one earn the title of a true Island Girl, I wonder? I thought long and hard about this question and I came up with a few different attributes and have jotted some of them down below. Whether you were born and raised in the Caribbean like me or decided to make these magical islands your home, you are bound to identify with a few. And if not, you will hopefully at least get a good laugh out of it. There, my good deed for the week is done. You’re welcome.
Growing up on the gorgeous but super superstitious and religious island of Curaçao, I was constantly scared of something or someone. As an adult I often wondered if it was because of my personality but I am not one to shy away from anything. I’m more of a grab-the-bull-by-the-horn kinda girl, a real go-getter. But one day it hit me. It must be all those old wives’ tales I heard growing up, or the “Doom” scenarios described to me when or if I ever behaved badly. I still find myself making the sign of the cross for example whenever I drive past a church. Driving in Curaçao means crossing yourself pretty much at every intersection or street corner.
It’s almost that time again. I sense it in the crawling of my skin. My sensors all go on high alert. I’m crabby, emotional, obnoxious and unbearable. Yes, Christmas is upon us.
It’s the only time of year that I get home sick. Home sick to Curaçao, hell even the Netherlands will do, anywhere but here.
If you haven’t noticed it yet I dislike the holidays on my current home island very much. I say this knowing very well that this revelation might get me kicked off the island permanently. I can see the true St. Maarteners already, coming to get me in the middle of the night with pitch forks and torches, holding up signs saying “Off with her head” and “Death to the traitor”.