You must be a Bermudian, when…

• You know that Ginger Beer is much better than Ginger Ale
• You say ‘inna’ after almost every sentence
• You know Johnny Barnes
• You know the difference between Hamilton and Hamilton Parish
• You have an “Ace Boy” or “Ace Gurl”
• Your house has a name
• 30 mins in a car is a stretch!
• You’ve only ever bought gas from Shell or Esso
• You know the significance of the colours, “Blue and Blue” and “Red and Blue”
• You use the car horn to say hello
• You know 90% of the country’s population
• You have bought a Christmas tree, shirt, fish or lobster out of a truck on the side of the road
• Dark and stormy isn’t just a term to describe the weather
• You don’t swim until 24th May (at the earliest)
• You can identify a tourist without even talking to them
• You can wear pink shorts with knee socks and still feel manly
• You know that “up the country” is west and “down the country” is east
• You’ve lived through at least one hurricane and therefore the names, Felix, Emily, Fabian and Florence all have a deeper meaning for you
• You’ve risked your life climbing a weak tree that’s in someone else’s yard JUST to reach that juicy loquat
• If you know why Seagull Racing does not involve birds, or racing, you must be a Bermudian
• If mayonnaise is both your favorite condiment and your preferred method of removing beach tar from your feet
• If you’ve ever been “Guilty with an explanation”
• If you never notice the tree frogs at night
• If the telephone directory listing includes your nickname because no one knows your given name

Unlikely Animal Friends

I watched this National Geographic documentary last night and cried through most of it.  The documentary was on several pairs of unlikely friends.  It was so touching to see how each friendship developed.  Each, so different from the other but that did not stop them from being so close.  It didn’t matter that they were different in size (the Elephant and dog), definitely didn’t speak the same language and heck, didn’t move at the same speed (the Hippo and 130 year old tortoise) but their affection and care for each other, transcend all of these and more.

 These friendships have got to be the purest possible.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that these are animals, untainted by man’s ability to think.  Animals have simple needs and are happy when these needs are fulfilled.  From the documentary, I realised that one of their needs is companionship and these animals don’t confine their search for companionship to their own kind, they just accept it in any shape or form - unconditional love and acceptance.

Suryia, Orangutan and her best friend - Roscoe, Hound dog

Things slow way-down in Bermuda

One of the first things I noticed is how slow everyone moves here… in comparison to Hong Kong.  At first it irritated me, e.g. I was on the bus and a man had pressed the bell to get down.  When the bus stopped, the man leisurely got up and ambled slowly off the bus.  I caught myself mumbling at how inconsiderate he was to hold up the whole bus! In Hong Kong, before the bus came to the stop, everyone would be queuing-up at the door to get-off.

In just over a year, I’ve become so Hongkie in that aspect, always busy, always rushing, so much so that it’s become habit.  My pace is so quick that I’ve upset some local Bermudians with my hurried manner.  The good thing is after spending a week here, I’ve noticed myself slowing down… a little.  I’ve made a conscious effort to stop and look at the sky for just a few more minutes, chew my food gently, rather than swallowing it whole, walk a little slower, not look at my watch so often, speak slower and spend more time just chatting casually (or aimlessly).  These are all positive changes, which I’m sure will do wonders for my stress-levels and heart.

Sunday in Bermuda

Almost everything shuts down on Sunday – no retail shopping (except maybe the supermarket), in some places the bus only operate from 10am to 5pm and most restaurants are closed, except the ones in hotels.  This was a problem for me, as I wanted to see Bermuda on Sunday.

In terms of logistics, I had to time myself so that I didn’t miss the bus, as the frequency is less and I’d have to wait 30 mins for the next one.  In terms of food, I had to check that the place I wanted to visit had an opened restaurant.  It was quite sad that when I wanted to buy dinner in the City, the only place that was opened was KFC!  Be prepared for sullen service at restaurants that open on Sunday… who would blame them, I’d rather be outdoors than serve another.

The best thing to do on a Sunday is enjoy the beach, soak up the sun and get tanned…. and order Room Service.

Here's how I spent my Sunday - lazing on Elbow Beach

Photolog: Sunset on Elbow Beach

Caught this image on a stretch of Elbow Beach, as the sun was setting. Despite diminishing light, the sky and sea remain so blue.

Bermuda in the 1930s

A Bermudian friend sent a link to some photos of Bermuda in the 1930s.  Bermuda is such a small state that it’s hard to imagine it any smaller.  I was told that there used to be a railway track that ran the length of the state.  The railway has since given way to roads and other forms of transportation.  The railway track has turned into a trail for walkers and runners.

Have a Bermudaful day

That’s their unique greeting, by the way.  I’ve noticed that people here are overly friendly, strangers greet you as you pass and sometimes, they engage you in conversations.  I am a little uncomfortable with this, as I was taught from an early age “never talk to strangers”…. ok, not because of that.  Seriously though, I used to think that Malaysian are friendly people but when we pass strangers on the street, we look away and avoid direct eye-contact.  Maybe it’s because we’re shy, maybe we think that direct eye-contact is confrontational.  Whatever the undelying reason may be, I habitually avert my eyes when passing a stranger, thus avoiding a greeting. 

This is Day 2 of the review and already I have 1 lunch date and 1 dinner date from the client.  The clients are all senior citizens and I think they feel responsible (compassionate) for me, being alone in a foreign land.  I am grateful for their care and hospitality and it is very nice to have social conversations.  Although I have done many solo trips in the past, the loneliness gets to me sometimes and like most people, I crave another person’s company.

Update on dinner date:

One of the client invited me for dinner with her husband.  We had a wonderful time and laughed and chatted like old friends.  It may seem strange that an English couple in their 60s would have anything in common with me.  But we talked about so many things and I felt so comfortable and accepted.  It was very nice to have this moment and even if I never have the chance again, I am already grateful for their gift of companionship.  Tonight’s dinner will remain in my memory as a profound experience.

Interesting Bermuda

First day at the office and was greeted by my client, a man, wearing shirt with tie, bermuda shorts and knee-high socks.  I find it quite an odd combination but that is the formal attire in Bermuda.   In fact i noticed many men in colourful bermuda shorts, i.e. one colour at a time …. there were men in pink, lime-green, sky-blue.. you get the idea. 

During lunch, I walked into a lingerie shop and had to leave, disappointed.  There were no bra sizes smaller than 36C…. go figure.

 

City of Hamilton – Capital City

Bermuda – First impression

I just arrived and was so impressed by the welcome.  I exited the plane and as soon as I entered the airport building, I were greeted by Hawaiian-type music, live!  Yes, I was surprised to see the musician in floral shirt, playing his musical instrument.  The carpet within the immigration was also floral… really sets the right tone and I immediately felt relaxed.  I was very tempted to take a picture but didn’t know if it was appropriate. 

A few people had cautioned me about the attitude of immigration officers towards foreigners.   In short, these officers would not be very friendly if they think you’re in Bermuda to work.  I guess they are protective of their small land and welcome visitors who will spend money and not workers, who take away the money.  So I turned on my charm and was “ready” for hostility.  I was pleasantly surprised because the officer was nice and welcoming.  The whole process took less than 5 mins, in fact I had to wait longer for the luggage. 

Journey time from the airport to the hotel was about 20 mins and that’s because the driver took his time.  Bermuda reminds me of a typical small island setting - single-lane roads, houses spread-out and sound of crickets and waves all-around.  I probably saw 3 people out on the road, everyone else must be home.  I savored the sound of nature … it feels like such a long time, since I heard anything but street-sounds.

I know, I know, I’m here for work.  But it will be hard to keep the focus.  More soon.

Despair

I saw Despair today, in the eyes of a man.  He looked lost, worried maybe, as he held on to his few possessions.  There was no mistaking that he was carrying a heavy load.  Not the physical kind but the kind that afflict us, sometimes.  The only kind that is able to break a person’s spirit and make a grown man cry.  I wanted to tell him “Don’t Give Up”, help is available.  But when Despair is present, there is little hope.  Happy are those who do not have despair in their lives and courage to those, who struggle with it.

Yes, I saw Despair today and he walked with me.