Leaning into the Wind - Kick-Off!

Well, friends, I’m about to do it again. I lean into the wind and start learning how to live and work in a new place, a different culture, climate, environment (in every sense) – again. I start work in Bermuda in February!


Of course I'd love to be able to work near family and friends, but I am thrilled to have this opportunity - a beautiful location, a lot to learn, people to get to know. I have to admit I knew next to nothing about the place before the job was a real possibility - but North Carolina is the closest land to Bermuda (ergo its history as the homeport for many of the blockade runners during the Civil War), much of the year there is a direct flight from Charlotte, and once you get to a departure airport the flight is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

I visited once I understood the job was quite possibly mine; my concern was mostly whether I could live on a bit of rock surrounded by lots and lots of water. (After all - I am a mid-Westerner, accustomed to little bits of water surrounded by lots of land. Both the idea of all that water, and the sense of isolation island-living brings are likely to be challenges for me.

I'd picked up a book by a Canadian who had moved to Bermuda with her husband (Tea with Tracey), which seems to be very useful and still accurate, despite having some age on it. I have to admit it spooks me a bit - very high, constant humidity, making what sound like mild temperatures surprisingly cold in winter and hot in summer; the pests and nuisances of a sub-tropical climate; the very high costs, as most everything is brought in. I certainly found the housing costs up there, and checking into internet and utility charges I find the same story.

Nonetheless - well it is lovely. The people I met were generous and friendly; the islands' relatively small population and compact size meant that even I ran across some of the same people more than once in my 4 day stay.

I have made arrangements for a temporary home - a studio cottage in Paget Parish, near Hamilton, where I will be working, for $2000/mth inc some utilities. It is furnished, linens are provided, the kitchen is kitted out; I can stay there on a month-to-month basis until May if I wish. So, to start with, I can show up with a suitcase or two of clothes and gear, and use the time to look for a permanent (well, 1 year, at least) housing situation.

I will try to post to this on a frequent (tho irregular) basis; please feel free to comment either to the blog or to any of the email addresses you have.

Back again shortly!