February 20th, 2020

Island Time is a real thing.  And it doesn't just apply to Carribean Islands either.  Island Time exists right here in Venice. Florida.

There are two  different kinds of Island Time actually.  One is very soothing and relaxing.  The other one can be very frustrating, unless you get into the groove of it.  And you really kind of have to make the adjustment because if you don't, well it's just not good for anybody.

The first kind of Island Time refers mostly to vacationers, tourists, snowbirds and retirees.  And there are plenty of all of these folks here this time of year.   Yup to take a break from the cold and snow and ice and dreary grey of winter that exists in a lot of other places, hordes of folks come here.  Some just for a short break, a long weekend or even a couple of  weeks.  Others visitors are here longer, perhaps for  a month or even for "the season".    The Season generally runs from January through April.  But it sometimes extends a bit on either end. 

The Season is the Sweet Spot for weather here.  It's usually sunny but not hot.  Very little rain so not humid.  And because we are right by the water there is often a nice little breeze going.  And of course there is the ocean.  That's a nice draw.  And I get it.  If the choice is a wintery winter of shoveling snow and facing gloom day after day and layers of clothes to stay warm OR sunshine, shorts and a drink by the pool, guess which one I'm going to choose?  Oh yeah, we live here now so we already made that choice.  

​Come on really..which one would you choose?

So those vactioning, touristing, snowbirding people are trying to relax.  They are no longer marching to the beat of an alarm clock.  They get up when they are darned good and ready.  And perhaps they just lounge around awhile after they wake up.  And then, once they've finally breakfasted and dressed for their day, the world is their oyster.  They can do as they wish whenever they please.  At long last they can honestly, say, 'I'll get to it when I get to it'  and "Who cares what time it is?" How glorious to have that freedom!    The stress just melts away as they relax in the sun.

That's the first sort of Island Time and I applaud it.

The second sort of Island Time I have adapted to but it did not come easily.  

It's a by-product of the first sort really.  Because we are a vacation destination/tourist spot/snowbird magnet, this time of year there are a lot of people here. I mean, a lot.  Which also means lots of traffic.  Not just cars, but also bicycles, golf carts and pedestrians.  So getting from A to B means it's going to take a little more time than other season of the year.  And once you arrive at B, there is absolutely going to be a line.

Along with the extra traffic there are the extra traffic issues.  Meaning grumpy people who apparently didn't realize that they weren't the only people who drive here this time of year and haven't learned to just breathe and relax and learn to wait your turn.  The ones who lean on their horns the split second that a light turns green. Or blast around you in a no passing zone because you are driving very slowly behind someone on a bicycle who has chosen to drive in the middle of the lane as if they were the only person on the road.    The people who yell out the window as pedestrians as they cross the street to hurry up.  And Tim's favourite, the folks who have forgotten how to manage a 4-way stop.

Extra traffic also sometimes means the visitors who don't know their way around and are going very slowly looking for a particular address or stop in the middle of the road to take a photo or are driving the wrong way on a one - way street.  Oh dear.  It sadly means, more accidents, which also slows down traffic.  And, since this is Florida which is apparently eternally under construction, more slow downs due to road work. 

Basically the other Island Time means, giving yourself the extra time necessary to get places without blowing your stack or your engine.    Learning to be patient, smile, relax and forgive a lot.   Step one, breathe.  Step two, breathe again.  

If you are here in season you will have plenty of opportunity to practice both sorts of Island Time.