Moving Overseas
Sounds romantic, right? Here’s the scoop…
My son called me recently to ask why I haven’t written any new travel blogs. The truth is, my partner and I are moving to Jamaica. Soon.
Patrick has chosen to be mum on the subject, superstitious that talking about it might somehow jinx the process. It’s a good thing he doesn’t read my blogs.
On Friday, we have a 40 foot container leaving for Montego Bay carrying everything we own and then some. Furniture and appliances are expensive in Jamaica because they are imported, so we bought things here that will be shipped in the container. As a returning resident, Patrick has certain allowances as to what and how much he can import before being heavily taxed. I am certain we are well over the limit.
We will keep the container on our property and use it for storage or to build an apartment.
Patrick was born in Jamaica and reluctantly left as a teenager, always vowing to return some day. You have to respect a man who is able to live out his dreams. I am a lucky passenger going along for the ride. I was always one to seek adventure and take chances.
Five years in Florida has been enough. Our condo on the intracoastal has been a nice place to come home to when we travel. Now we will call Jamaica home and are selling our condo hoping to buy an apartment in NJ or NY so we can both visit our families without couch surfing and begging siblings to borrow their cars.
I am often asked, “What will you do in Jamaica? How will you keep busy?”
We plan to grow most of our own food, have chickens and goats and a few dogs running around. I figure that will take up a good part of the day. I’d like to write more and host a writers’ retreat, a yoga retreat, and a women’s retreat. I want to learn to speak patois, an English-based creole language with West African, Taíno, Irish, Spanish, Hindustani, Portuguese, Chinese, and German influences. I want to paddle board.
Patrick’s property overlooks the ocean and is a quick drive to waterfront restaurants and shops. I have learned to drive on the opposite side of the road, which takes a great amount of commitment and attention, but is necessary. I am not quite ready to pick anyone up from the airport, but soon come! We want company!
The view from the guest bedroom (I know, right?)
Our hope is to discover what is up in the mountains where some of the most delicious and expensive coffee in the world is grown; to find the encampments where descendants of runaway slaves have lived for decades and where artisans carve wood into one-of-a-kind treasures; to learn about the birds and flowers and history of the island; to walk where Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer walked and talked and sang.
The infamous Blue Mountains
I think the most challenging thing about living overseas will be learning to be patient. There are lines for almost all ATMs which might mean waiting in the hot sun only to find the machine needs to be replenished.
I remember traveling to Jamaica during COVID and having to take a test before we flew home. There were tents set up in town and people waited under the tent for hours for their results, no one complaining about the wait or the heat.
The Jamaican people are generally friendly and kind. I remarked to Patrick recently that you don’t hear children crying and fussing with their parents. I like that.
Jamaica is a chill place. It is only an hour and twenty minute flight from Florida, but feels like a whole different world the minute you arrive.
Negril
Moving overseas in your late 60’s is hard. There are many moving parts and it’s crazy expensive to get your stuff to the island, but we are ready for whatever lies ahead.
We’re working on it!
My favorite colors
Sigh
To be continued…
