The new state

3 weeks ago I moved to an Island. I was already living and working on islands, Long Island and Manhattan Island respectively. Though these islands are not what come to mind if I were asked to close my eyes and picture one. My mind’s eye would gaze upon palm trees shimmering in the cool breezes of ocean air. So, that is where I find myself now. I am living on the north side of St Thomas, on the outer edge of a peninsula where palm trees, blue waters and beaches of scattered islands make up my landscape.
I moved here for a new job. I am creating a service center to repair luxury watches for one of the leading retail establishments in the Caribbean. We are in the process of building a state of the art facility, outfitted with the same Swiss machinery and tools used in the best Swiss watchmaking factories in the industry.
I also moved here for a new way of life. After over 17 years of dwelling in urban environments, I am getting back to nature. Most of my free time will be spent out of doors. Sharing a running path with iguanas, picking mangoes from a tree, swimming the clear blue green water’s of Magen’s Bay. Learning to sail, surf, paddle board, get over my irrational fear of sharks; these are on my to-do list.
I love the irony of my new situation. I move to a place where “island time” rules. The pace here is relaxed, mellow, no need to rush or stress. Things get done when they get done. Which I have been told, is eventually. And I am a watchmaker. Keeping time, accurate, precise, is what I do. I imagine my days in the service center will not be unlike the work I have done in other service centers over the years. But now, I won’t be leaving at the end of the day for a subway ride shared with millions. I will be taking a brief car ride over a small, tropical mountain and down to the north shores of St Thomas. Time will stop as I swim and run and play outside.