Canada VS Jamaica – The Differences

Since I’m still stuck in Canada on “vacation” and don’t have much to blog about IN Jamaica I’m going to give you my perspective on some major differences between living in the two places. Okay so there’s OBVIOUS differences like temperature, culture, landscape and all that but there are some more specific ones. I’ve changed a lot since being in Jamaica for an extended period of time and some things back in Canada aren’t normal anymore.

1. In Canada if I see some little black granules on the kitchen counter top it’s most likely coffee grounds that spilled. In Jamaica it’s probably cockroach poop.

2. In Canada I never see random things run across the floor out the corner of my eye. And I never have to have a broom handy for those things.

3. The obvious hot and cold bathing. I long for long hot showers in Canada and take multiple cold showers a day in Jamaica. I also miss using my awesome Lush bath bubbles, bombs, fizzies, etc in Jamaica because no one wants to linger in a tub of cold water just to enjoy bubbles.

4. The sound of rain – I don’t have to purposely open a window in Jamaica to listen to it endlessly because I don’t have windows LOL. I have shutters and no screen so the rain sensation is automatic every time. In Canada it spoils the mood if I have to get out of my bed when it rains to open the window and listen.

5. Noise – In Jamaica yard noise and road noise is constant and it’s like background noise, barely noticeable. There is and always will be loud music playing from somewhere, dogs barking and horns honking and it doesn’t bother me. In Canada everyone wants to bust a cap in everyone else who’s dog or lawnmower is making noise. I can’t even watch TV in the same house as someone who’s trying to sleep in Canada but in Jamaica my neighbor blasts his music so loud I can’t hear myself think and it actually lulls me to sleep.

6. Starting of the day – In Jamaica the days start EARLY and happily, even with noise! I can lay in my bed and listen to construction, chainsaws, chatter and cars right outside my window and enjoy it somehow.

7. Stress – Hardly any of you knew it but I had a stress-related ugliness of a skin disease on my hands for years. Doctors said there was no known cause and no known cure for it, I just had to suffer. After 2 months in Jamaica the entire disease is completely cleared up. I have no idea if it was the climate change or the stress level that fixed it but to me, it was a miracle. It was so ugly I used to lie and tell people I was a burn victim if they asked what the hell was on my hands.

8. Sharing space – Living in Jamaica and having amazing neighbors (yes I’m talking about you Shane!) the concept of keeping private space and imaginary boundaries is non-existent now. I think nothing of taking a nap on my couch in Jamaica with the front door wide open, in case my neighbor needs to borrow some spice or get ice from my freezer. He walks in and out, no problem. Same with his place – our doors are always open and we’re always in and out of each others kitchens LOL. Right now while I’m back home I’m staying at my mom’s house and one of the first things she said when I came back is “Oh I can tell Kristi’s back” – because she saw my phone charger laying around in her space. Hmmmmm. Anyways….

9. The use of engine retardant truck breaks….if you’ve EVER been to Jamaica…..nuff said. It’s prohibited where I’m from in Canada DWL!

Those are just a few observations I’ve made. I can’t live the same at home anymore because home hasn’t changed but I have.

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