Life in Paradise is NOT always paradise

Ok.  So we all know what we love about living in paradise.  But rarely do we hear about things that make our environment, well, less than perfect.  You know when you are watching HGTV and they show a real estate agent taking a couple or family around the Caribbean showing them beautifully stages homes, with flowing sheers blowing in the Caribbean breezes at large wide-open windows and/or doors. Or, they show open roof top houses that let you count the stars in the evening while you sleep in your beautiful new home in paradise. Well, it’s images like that which prompted me to write this blog post.  Because honestly speaking, we could all use a little bit of reality in the middle of our HGTV awe inspiring moments.

Right off the top of my head, I can give you three things that could make you take pause when thinking about taking the leap to paradise.

1)     Mosquitoes and any other bug you can think of.  Yup, the

western Caribbean has them all.  I know, I know, you say.  But everywhere has some type of bugs.  This is true, but I’m not talking about everywhere.  Right now I’m talking about Quintana Roo.   I never, and I do mean never, leave home or go outside without mosquito repellent; no matter what time of year.   I use Off Deep Woods Towelettes, Unscented.  They are easy to use and easy to put a couple in your pocket or purse for a quick refresher. In fact, I buy them by the case just to make sure I never run out.  I normally use one a day, but if I go out in the evening, I will use a second one.  

And, speaking of bugs and other creepy crawlers, the Caribbean

has the largest cockroaches you have ever seen.  I mean those suckers look like they could stand up and snatch that can of Raid from you.  And, that cute little gecko that the GEICO Insurance company uses for their marketing, well, they are not that cute in real life crawling on your floors, walls and ceiling. Last but not least are the ants.  I’ve heard many people here talk about how they have stepped into an anthill and were dearly sorry they had. Those little rascals bite like crazy and make you swell up like the Michelin Tire Company Man.  So before you get all excited about the flowing sheers at your large, open windows and doors, make sure you buy screens and get a referral to your local fumigator.  It will just make life in paradise…well, paradise.

2)     Now, counting the stars at night from your open rooftop can be so beautiful and breathtaking…until it rains.  So there you are during rainy season with this wonderful open rooftop that is pouring rain into your new home and causing all sorts of water damage. They don’t show you that on the HGTV.  But, believe me when I tell you that they don’t call it rainy season for nothing.  Besides, how do you think all this beautiful greenery…stays green?  
But here is the problem; in a lot of places in the Caribbean, the drainage system cannot handle large amounts of rain coming down hard and fast.  So what happens is that several streets will become flooded; those cute little sandals you wore to the local farmers market this morning are now underwater, covered with dirt, twigs and anything else that’s floating around.  Or, maybe that cross walk you normally use to cross the street is now flooded to the point where you have to walk several blocks out of your way just to find a place where you can cross.  That stroll you were going to take…forget about it.  Everything and everywhere is flooded for the next several hours.  

    

But don’t feel too discouraged; the sun will come out and most of the water will seep into the ground as if nothing had ever happened. Just keep a small retractable umbrella, a light raincoat that folds up into a small pouch, and maybe a pair of rubber boots handy.  The rainy season is part of living in paradise, but you do not want the rain to stop you from enjoying yourself.

       3)     Notice how all the pictures of paradise show clean streets and bright sidewalks.  Well, at some of the resorts that is probably the case.  However, if you are truly living in some of the local communities of the Caribbean, I can tell you right now that you will notice that things are just dirtier.  You are living in a beach environment, which automatically means there is sand everywhere; and, you are living in an environment that is not as developed, so the sidewalks and roads may be more dirt and gravel than asphalt. 

For example, after spending the day out walking around and taking in the sights and sounds, look at your footwear. I mean pick up your shoes, sandals, sneakers…whatever you are wearing on your feet, turn them over and look at the bottoms; dirty right?   And, it’s not just your shoes; everything is just dirtier.  Your house has to be cleaned more often; your furniture dusted more and floors mopped more. It just really comes from an environment where we all have our windows and doors open more (with screens of course), which lets in more dust, dirt and grim.  I guess the alternative is to keep your doors and windows closed, and just use your air conditioning and fans more, but then we would all be worried about the high cost of electricity in the Caribbean; and that could be a whole other blog post. 

Now, I know you may be saying to yourself that a little dirt never hurt anyone, and we all have to clean and dust our homes wherever we live.  To that, I say…you are probably right.  But, I think it’s important to note that the dirt is here and you will be impacted by it one way or another.

That’s it for now.  Keep watching and enjoying all the episodes of the Caribbean on HGTV.  But before you pick up your phone and call that real estate agent, remember you want a house with screens on the windows and doors, no open rooftops, a retractable umbrella, lots of mosquito repellent, the number of a qualified fumigator and a good pair of rubber boots. And, be prepared for a little more dirt in your life!

HAPPY PARADISE!