Tea With Tracey

A Travel Narrative Report By:Brooklyn Beauchamp

Tea with Tracey• Written by Tracey Caswell• Grew up in a small town in Canada• Married and relocated to Bermuda• Wrote the book as a narrative of her experiences and life in

Bermuda• Provides advice to women who are thinking about moving to

Bermuda • Describes atmosphere, working conditions, cuisine, scenery and

residence life

Coping with the Weather

• VERY humid• Hot summers- air

conditioning expensive; fans best solution

• Cold, comfortable winters

• Be prepared for hurricanes

Residence• “If you don’t REALLY

need it, DON’T bring it!”

• Keep only what you are prepared to use

• Always keep things clean and less cluttered

• Half of what you presently own is useless in Bermuda

Residence• Conserve water• Rain water is collected

from roof, stored in tank• Use only what you

need-overuse can create problems for visitors

• “Be sensible. Be aware. Think. An early morning shower is pointless if you’ll be on the beach before noon

Budgeting• EXPENSIVE!• Grocery and house bills

are double or triple typical prices.

• Live on a budget• Only buy what you

need• Enjoy free activities-

picnics, walks on the beaches, see tourist sights. Go to early bird specials for dinner

Be Considerate• Bermuda has many laws,

controls and regulations• Necessary for the survival

of the quality of life • Be considerate of their

permit laws• Follow common dress

codes-must have shirt at all times, appropriate length, modest, not individualistic

• Bermudians deserve first rights

Be Considerate• Patience is required!• Bermudians work very

slow• “Island time”- more laid

back unlike Americans• “YOU MUST SLOW

DOWN”. Bermudians will not speed up to your time

• Try to learn their dialect. Different language

• Keep their land clean and no littering!

Cuisine & Entertainment

• Try popular foods- Cassava pie, shadeesh, wahoo, cod fish cakes

• Theatre productions, Bermuda Festival in January, live productions at hotels, movie theatres, and night clubs

• Beaches!• Cup Match in August

Transportation• 1 car per house• Obey traffic laws- 20

mph• Bikes and motorcycles• Recommend bike

transport to save gas money

• “Pink & Blue” city buses

• Bring jacket and scarf-cold on bikes

• Small, tight roads

Plants & Animals

• Respect the wild life• Natural, wild trees and

plants. Be careful of poisonous plants

• Bermuda bird- Longtail• Beware of the toads

and gophers!• Be environmentally

friendly

Recommendations• Become adjusted• Read local

newspapers, magazines and travel brochures

• Learn government laws

• Walk every street and learn landmarks to find your way around

• Write letters to family • Stay busy-Volunteer

Other Recommendations

• Purchase “Dining out in Bermuda”

• Best restaurant examples: Flanagan's and Portofino

• Buy clothes at Smith’s and other stores in Pagent Plaza

• Best supermarket deals at Market Place

• Get library card and video club membership

• Take a year to adjust

Would I Recommend?• Would recommend to women• People who are considering moving abroad• People who are considering traveling to Bermuda• Liked how she described the island • Liked how she gave a personal view of living in Bermuda• Enjoyed reading her stories and recommendations