Three Months in Grenada

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Three months in Grenada:
I look up at the moon, high in the sky as the sun disappears. And yet, darkness isn’t descending. The moon is almost full.

The moon was full when I arrived on the Caribbean island of Grenada for my three-month house-sitting tour of duty. And each time the moon shines full (as it has done three times since I arrived), I enjoy recounting the passage of time in Grenada.

And quite the few months they have been.

This post was originally published in 2012, and has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.

Interested in Grenada Life? You will TOTALLY want to check out:
Random Observations About Grenada
Unique Transportation: Buses in Grenada
What is Liming? Grenada’s National Pastime

A Rough Start

I arrived in October, giddy to be in Grenada and excited for three months of living an easy island life. On my second day I got a live lobster from the local fisherman and figured out how to cook and eat one of my favourite foods – from scratch (literally – those spines are sharp!).

The following day, my plans changed dramatically when I realized l’d be going it alone and not with a partner as planned, and a few days after that, I came down with what I suspect was Dengue Fever and was bedridden for a week.

So that was my first two weeks in Grenada. Crash-Bam.

Recovering

Windswept tree in Grenada

In the ensuing weeks as my strength and sparkle returned, I explored the property and the island a bit, going for long walks in the rain, checking out the markets in town, and making friends with a few people.

I also have been reading voraciously, taking advantage of the library of books that are here, often reserving hours each day to simply relax and get caught up in a riveting plot. This is a luxury I have never before afforded myself.

Grenada's harbour with sailboats moored


Working

Despite a mild laptop/internet addiction, I limit my work time to 4-6 hours per day, maximum. This usually includes a good amount of “goofing off” online, and a variety of social media activity to increase my profile. (Speaking of which, you’re following me on Twitter and Facebook, right?)

Time for Nora

Nora Dunn, The Professional Hobo, meditating on a beach while spending three months in Grenada

In addition to my work and my reading, I practice yoga and meditation daily. I go for regular walks – both on and off the property. I watch evening movies and tv shows (which I’ve accumulated on my hard drive), and I cook delicious healthy meals.

Getting Social

A reader recently commented that she thinks I may be a bit lonely here in Grenada, probably because I’ve recently been extolling the virtues of being alone (due to the novelty factor, since my travels rarely afford me such a luxury). But I’m far from a loner here in Grenada! In fact, one of the charms of Grenada is how easy it is to meet people – from locals, to expats, to people on boats sailing through the area.

So when I’m not enjoying my quiet little paradise of a beach hut, I’m out enjoying the company of a wide variety of people from all over the world, who all share one thing in common: a love for Grenada.

Watching the Moon and Tides

I’ve seen the tides hover around very high (with the full moon I enjoyed on arrival), to low, and seen how the environment around me changes with the tides. On a small island in the Caribbean, the tides play an important part in daily life, in both practical and undefinable ways.

ocean wave crashing over rocks

I still have to pinch myself when I realize I have spent the last three months house-sitting on a tropical island, caring for a largely-outdoor dog with an adorable personality and low-maintenance regime. My expenses are next to nothing; the cost of fresh topical fruit and vegetables, excursions, and the odd tank of gas for the car.

Rural Island Life

Living rurally on a tropical island has its ups and downs. The isolation could drive some people insane; for me I tend to love being closer to nature than cities. Sure, the bugs have had their way with me – more than once – including having caused dengue fever shortly after arrival. And sure, the heat can also be oppressive, but I generally love the heat and will take it over the cold any day.

As I gaze at the almost-full moon once again, despite the challenges my first month held for me, I look up with gratitude for living such a charmed life. It’s a far cry from my days as a financial planner – five years ago – and although I couldn’t possibly have imagined this scene when I took that bold first step and sold everything to travel full-time, now, I couldn’t imagine anything else.

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14 thoughts on “Three Months in Grenada”

  1. I’m living in paradise in The Whitsundays but I could do with a change for a few months. Put me down for the next house sitting in Grenada as I’m sure you will want to be somewhere different. 🙂

    Reply
  2. @Sunny – Thanks! Yes, every day I count my blessings.

    @Alf – I’ll bear that in mind! Too bad I can’t actually make that call….
    What are you doing in the Whitsundays?

    Reply
  3. Wonderful….I didn’t know you were into yoga and stuff….have you ridden a bicycle or a scooter all over the island ?…just asking as I think it would be a good way to explore the place

    Reply
  4. @Nina -I miss you! As much as my current adventures are fun, not a day goes by when I don’t think about when (if?) we will meet again. xoxo

    @Baron’s – Ah yes; I have many “lives” (past and present) that are complimentary and contradictory! And as for Grenada, I had the use of a few vehicles to get around the island (as will be evidenced in my “Driving in Grenada” post – to be published soon!).

    Reply
  5. I find this post inspiring and relaxing at the same time. I love that you are comfortable with yourself to spend time alone. Someday I hope to be a digital nomad like so many of you are. I’m just not sure how to start. I have at least 3 years before I take off.

    Reply
  6. @Tricia – Thanks! It is indeed a gift to feel comfortable in my own skin, and Grenada has been an incredible place to do it. I look forward to returning!

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    • Hi Mimi,
      Actually, there are 4 strains of dengue fever. Two are worse than the others; the two bad strains (a former partner of mine had one of them in Thailand) requires hospitalization, and IF it gets really bad – but not always – blood transfusions.
      The other two are not as severe – I had one of the less severe strains.

      And there is no cure for dengue fever, nor is there a vaccine. You simply have to endure it. Blood transfusions are required only if the platelet count becomes so low that internal haemorrhaging starts.

      Trust me – I know!

      Reply
  7. Hello,

    I am student from Montreal, Canada and I will be travelling to Grenada with three other classmates to complete a dietetics internship for 8 weeks. I love reading your articles on Grenada and am wondering if you have any advice on finding inexpensive accommodations there? Many of the websites I am looking at seem to all be touristy. Please let me know if you can point me in the right direction!

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Kaity,
      There aren’t a lot of “non-touristy” places in Grenada to stay; I’ve heard good things about Jenny’s place http://www.jennysplacegrenada.com/ (which is in an ideal location on Grand Anse beach, and within walking distance to the grocery stores, but isn’t particularly cheap).
      Further off the beaten track is Island View in Woburn…a wee bit of a dodgy area (more so for locals than tourists however) and a bus ride from anywhere, but certainly a cultural experience and apparently quite inexpensive. It’s one of those “inside scoop” places; you won’t find a website for them.
      Depending on the 8 weeks you’ll be there, you might be able to snag some student housing while the University students are off for the summer. Check out the SGU website (St George’s University); you may find some leads there.

      Reply
  8. Thanks for the description of Grenada and your days there, never been there. Hope to go someday! Sounds like a good place to rest!

    Reply

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