Here or There

Like most people whether in a big city, a small country, or an island in the middle of the Caribbean, traveling is always something to look forward to. However, some have never left their settlement or even the island they were born and grew up. But those who are fortunate to leave and visit other places have the opportunity to expand their horizons, form new connections, be open to other cultures and their way of life.

Let's take a look at life on the island of Grand Bahama for instance, it is 96 miles long from east to west and 17 miles long at its widest point. Due to this, the unavoidable fact also remains that the people from the island are insulated. Compared to someone from any of the major or not so major cities have met or had the fortunate chance to interact with someone from a different culture and background. This sort of thing doesn't happen very often on the island and for some not at all. An unfortunate side effect is that the people are not very open to the unknown, but at the same time still have the capacity to being friendly, even courteous.

The small size of the island is not a recipe for an active lifestyle. But if you ever get the opportunity to visit you would see this does not hinder the local people. The island hosts a number of hotels/motels, clear beaches, restaurants, bars, key tourist attractions, and food stands that create the local cuisine, conch salad. Though at first look it would seem that there is an abundance of activities to indulge in and you think there wouldn't be a reason to become stagnant or bored. As I've mentioned earlier the island isn't very large, so you can guess what happens, the same people at the same spots, activities are rotated, but it's always the same. However, being able to travel allows that feeling of stagnancy to diminish. Traveling to larger, more populated areas of the world, experiencing a different culture enriches life altogether instead of being insulated and closed off to what the world has to offer. On the other hand, someone from a major city may absolutely enjoy island life.

Major cities, traffic jams, long commute, and there's always something to do recreationally. On every corner, 24 hour store here, all you can eat there, does it ever really just, stop. Maybe not. So, wouldn't a trip to a vacation destination to an island that has none of those things be ideal? Or might I even go so far as to say, relocate? The quiet nights, calm and clear beaches, different cuisine and people to experience and the lastest any store is ever open 10 pm. Where the chance to take a break is just a couple of minutes away, sit on the beach, listen to the waves wash up on shore or the seagull's call. For someone that is from a big city, this would probably be ideal but for anyone on the island this is an everyday occurrence, don't get me wrong both locations have their advantages and disadvantages. But if I had to choose, I would pick the island every time. Slow and steady with a sprinkle of excitement or constant movement with a mix of peace and quiet. Where do you see yourself?