Bermuda; Things That Are Different From What I Was Used To.

 

Shops with Closed Doors: Bermuda's shopping culture is indeed distinctive. Many shops display banners indicating whether they are open or closed. One can think the shops are closed only to go at the door and find, 'Yes, we are open. Just pull/push the door'. 

Absence of Snakes and Mosquitoes: Bermuda is known for its favorable climate, and one of the perks of living or visiting there is the absence of snakes and mosquitoes. This is a significant advantage for residents and tourists who can enjoy outdoor activities and the island's natural beauty without the nuisance of these pests.

Friendly Greetings: Bermudians are known for their warmth and hospitality. Saying "hi" or greeting people, even strangers, is a common practice on the island. It's a sign of the community's friendliness and openness, making visitors feel welcome and adding to the island's unique social charm.It's awkward for someone to just pass you.

Beautiful and Clean Beaches: Bermuda boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the world. The pink sand and crystal-clear waters make for a picturesque setting, and the commitment to keeping these beaches clean adds to the island's appeal as a top-notch tourist destination.

Compact Size: Bermuda is a relatively small territory, covering approximately 21 square miles. This compact size means you can easily explore the entire country from one end to the other within just one hour, making it convenient for tourists to experience a wide variety of attractions and activities in a short amount of time. Looks like a crocodile in shape, where from head to tail-tip it is ONLY like 39km. The part that has highest width is only 2km.

Efficient Public Transport: Bermuda's public transport system is known for its efficiency and predictability. Buses and ferries connect various parts of the island, making it convenient for both residents and tourists to get around. This accessibility enhances the overall travel experience on the island.

Social Equality: Bermuda has a strong sense of social equality, with minimal visible poverty. The absence of shanties and people sleeping hungry reflects the country's commitment to taking care of its citizens, particularly the elderly. This social safety net contributes to the island's overall sense of well-being and security. Life expectancy is also quite high and a 70 years old looks very strong!

Wealth Discreetness: In Bermuda, wealth is often understated. Unlike many places where the wealthy may flaunt their status through opulent houses or extravagant cars, Bermuda's affluent residents tend to blend in and it will be hard to define how wealthy a person is by the car they drive or the house they live in (there are no high-end cars btw! Those Lexus, Benz and such, naah). This cultural norm helps maintain a sense of social cohesion and avoids conspicuous displays of wealth.

The cost of living is crazy high. As of 2023, a one-bedroom outside the city averages $2000-2500/month. Health Insurance is $700/month/person (not a couple). A loaf of bread is $7-10. Now that gives you a picture.

Their currency is the Bermudan dollar. The funny bit is that 1 BMD is pegged to 1$ USD (1:1).

Motorbike drivers behave just like nduthi guys. Lol. Most accidents are caused by motorbike guys. Also the island is so small you get to know almost all the road accidents that happen.

The way they bury people in one grave. One grave can carry several people. It is a family grave that could be holding a family since the 1800s. Also, people are buried in churches.

The food tastes ooooodd! Super odd! The delicious meat, wheat, rice, sugar, and eggs I was used to tastes off over here, and does not excite my tongue. I now understand why they get a lot of foodstuff from back home. 

The rich history;  I saw a church that was built in 1794 and still standing. The house we stayed in was built in the 1970s and is now managed by the grandson who was 52 years at 2023.

Long-lasting things; Be it houses, machines, utensils, and all that...everything is designed with the long term in mind.

Leaving the door open; You can leave your house open and no one will touch anything. You can sleep in total peace and naked with no door closed.

Taking care of grass; Well the glass is 'pampered', weee...it is like a clean shave.

Living with a dog inside the house; All breeds of dogs are available and most live inside the house like part of the family.

Hurricanes; A whole day with storms just like you can have the sun rising in the morning and setting at night. On September 14th, 2023 the storm started at 3 am and as I type this it is 12;56 am, 15th September 2023 and the storm has been running consistently without stopping. You can't even go out.

Car-Centric Roads; It seemed like when roads were being designed, nobody thought there would be a time when people would just be walking for leisure. There are no side walks.

Very Small Cars; Some electric cars are very small. Looks like a toy! Crazy. 

Magnum are created for different sizes; I don't want to expound on this point! Let me leave it that. LoL.So let me leave it at that.

Weather; Summer; June-September, Fall; October-November, Winter; December-February; Spring; March-May.

The Sky; At times during sunrise and sunset, the sky is usually breathtaking.

Some places are better traveled than lived: This is very very subjective. I feel this place and most places in the West are better traveled than lived. Also, there is just something about where you were born especially if you have sweet memories about it.

Long days during summer where a day can extend until 9pm.

You can walk any time of the night without fearing for your security.

Salaries are quite high, just like the expenses are. 

Only locals can own properties, for foreigners, there is no such a chance unless you have married a local.

You can't become a resident of Bermuda. Also, the island only has 65,000 people.

You don't need to live or relocate to Bermuda or any other country in the world to tap into the dollars.  You see before the internet, the only way people could have been able to tap into the West was via migrating. Nowadays, unless you are doing a physical job, you can work anywhere in the world.

In conclusion, Bermuda's charm lies in its unique blend of natural beauty, friendly people, efficient services, and a strong sense of community and social well-being. It's a destination that offers not just picturesque landscapes but also a warm and welcoming atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.