ROATAN BACKPACKERS' HOSTEL
whatsapp+504-9714-0413 

[email protected]
  • Home
    • Pool, Patio and Gardens
    • Common areas
    • Eco Initiatives
  • Accommodations
    • Dorm rooms
    • Private Rooms
    • Private Apartments
  • Activities
    • Diving and Snorkeling
    • Dining >
      • Island Cooking Classes
    • Yoga and Fitness
    • Spanish Lessons
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Car and scooter rentals
  • Contact Us
    • Specials
  • Getting Here
    • To and From Honduras and other info
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Guest Comments
    • Guest photos
    • FAQs
  • GUANAJA

Things I've Learned Living in the Tropics

12/19/2018

0 Comments

 
I've lived in the tropics for the majority of my adult life, but having grown up in Canada, there are several things that have been completely foreign to me when I arrived, that I've learned about while I've been here
1. Things grow way differently than I thought. I had no idea how pineapples, cashews and coconuts look when they're growing. I'm well educated and have read a lot, but there are some things that had just never come up before.  I thought pineapples maybe grew from trees, that the hairy brown spheres of coconuts that are sold in the supermarket were how they looked on the tree (maybe blame that are cartoon portrayals of coconut trees), and I don't really know how I pictured cashews, but definitely didn't imagine them anything like how they really are

2. I had no idea that the sky could hold so much rain.  Incredible- it can be dumping buckets for hours, and then going on even longer!  

3. The concept of 'tomorrow' is different when you live on a Caribbean island.  Tomorrow doesn't necessarily mean the day after today- it just means some abstract time in the future.

4. Little things I used to take for granted are actually luxuries and blessings, so I've learned how to be thankful when I have them: hot water showers, clean drinking water right from the tap, electricity that doesn't go out, going to the grocery store and being able to find everything on your shopping list.

5. There's no need for mail.  On Roatan, we don't have street addresses, no mail delivery- the electric bill gets tucked in by your meter, your water and phone bills also get dropped off by guys on moto, and if you have someone write to you, it eventually will arrive to the post office in Coxen Hole, though might take a few months to get there.  No flyers, no mailbox jammed with crap.  

I love the simpler lifestyle of living here.  Lying out in my backyard, gazing up at the stars without any city lights to block them, taking my dogs for a walk along the beach in the morning.  I like people smiling at me when they pass by, saying good morning, good evening and good night.  I like seeing kids running around outside playing, instead of glued to their electronics. I like the sweet smell of plumerias in bloom, seeing hummingbirds dart around the garden, hearing the sounds of nature, the warm feel of the sun on my skin, the taste of juicy mangoes and pineapple.  And I love, love, love not having snow.  Ever.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mel is a Canadian who's been living in Roatan for 2 decades.  Before being a single mom of 2, she used to travel around the world as a dive instructor.  She looks forward to the opportunity to meet many other travelers in her hostel.

    Archives

    June 2025
    July 2024
    June 2022
    May 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly