Well, we didn't have the big Beach Party Send-Off I had planned, but perhaps this is better. I don't particularly like good-byes. Besides, I keep running into so many people that I know many of you are already saying "You're still here?" How to remember and encapsulate a whole year's worth of experience? Punctured eardrum, 2 injured elbows, a tangle with a Portuguese Man O' War, Sea Lice Infestation, lost teeth--all true, but although amusing, perhaps, not really representative. Feral chickens, giant cockroaches, trails of ants, leaping lizards, giant toads. Social ills, challenging school system, troubled kids, delightful children, loving parents, fun teaching, good teachers. Weddings, birthdays, illness, funerals, good-byes. Hot sun, heavy humidity, high prices, hurricanes, house-sits. Black and blue elbows, turquoise water, pink sand, red hibiscus, yellow frangipani, green palm trees. Delicious food, amazing fish fry, peas and rice, molly cake, rum, shrunken clothing. Panto, set building, drop painting, backstage antics. Sisters, swimming, snorkelling, sailing, scootering, shopping, sunning, Sloop, Swizzling. Fishing, parties, dinner, singing, Cup-Match, Non-Mariners, Easter, French Group, Daylesford, Quiz Night. Family, friends, laughter, fun, visitors,welcome.
That about does it. What more can be said except thank you to all of you who welcomed us, included us, housed us and made us laugh. We have felt like a part of your families in some cases. Coming here was part whim, part adventure, and a lot of missing my big sister. We have learned to live another kind of life and mostly how to spend most of our time having fun! I have had the gift of a whole year with my sister and I treasure it. We have made life-long friends and have gathered enough stories to bore our Canadian friends for years. What more can we ask of a Bermudian Adventure?
Being here for a year enabled us to get a glimpse into the 'real' Bermuda not seen by tourists. It is easy to sink into the despair of politics, budgets, government decision-making and social ills. All of that may be true, but so is an amazing environment that needs protection, people with a true joy and kindness, a natural beauty like nowhere else. We have been so fortunate to have been here. There is always room for improvement, but there is so much that is still wonderful. For God's Sake, get to the beach you people--the water is warm!!!!!
We will miss all of you. We will visit again. And we will keep the back bedroom empty for when you visit.
We will miss all of you. We will visit again. And we will keep the back bedroom empty for when you visit.
