TELL US WHEN YOU MOVED TO CAYMAN?
I moved to Cayman on February 23rd, 2005. I just celebrated my 14-year Caymaniversary!
THAT’S WONDERFUL, CONGRATULATIONS! SO WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
In 2004 I was working for a film/TV Producer in Toronto who's company was producing a number of short documentary segments on Caribbean storytelling. She saw the Cayman Islands had just gone through a devastating hurricane and despite this, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation was moving forward with holding their annual storytelling event. She saw a beautiful story of resilience set in the context of the rich tradition of oral storytelling in the Caribbean and suggested I travel to Cayman to capture it. So with the permission of the CNCF I arrived to Cayman. It was late November, 2014, just 3 months after Hurricane Ivan had changed Cayman forever. For the short week I was here, I learned much about the island, hurricanes and of course, story-telling. And in that time, I also met many incredible people, including Mr. Desmond Seales, who was the owner and publisher of the Cayman Net News publication. Seeing I had been sent to film, direct and produce videos on my own, he offered me a position to work for his organization producing online video news segments. I accepted and moved to Cayman officially in February, 2005.
THAT’S AMAZING! AND WHAT DO YOU DO ON ISLAND NOW AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF BEING HERE?
After 8 years of independent video production, I accepted a position at Uniregistry.com, a domain name registrar and marketplace who's head office is in Governor’s Square. I started in HR in 2013, graduated to Customer Support Manager in 2014 and am currently the Director of Compliance. I really enjoy my work.
LET’S TALK OUT-OF-OFFICE STUFF, WHERE'S A GOOD PLACE TO GO TO LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC?
The Marriott's hosting of Flamenco Caribe on Thursday nights is probably the best kept secret in Cayman's live music scene. It's truly an invigorating experience with 2 dancers, 2 guitarists, cajon (traditional hand percussion) and saxophone. I've gone many times and it's never boring. And I don't think having my best friend and husband in the band makes me biased. It's a wonderful experience. My other favourites are High Tide at Deckers Thurs-Sat and Live band karaoke at The Lodge on Friday.
THESE ARE WORTH CHECKING OUT! WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON THE WEEKEND?
After spending most of my time during the week in my office, I like to get out with my 3 year old son and husband on the weekends. After lessons and grocery shopping on saturday mornings, we like to either get out to the beach or a park for the late afternoon. Governor's, West Bay dock and Cemetery Beach are our favourites. On Sundays we usually just chill at our country home in West Bay or maybe hit the Turtle Centre, which we all enjoy. We have annual passes and could easily spend an entire day there.
WHERE WOULD YOU SEND TOURISTS FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO?
If you have kids, the Turtle Centre is really awesome. Besides all the turtle tanks, we love the bird aviary, the nature trail, and the waterslide. Also, the aforementioned Flamenco Caribe show is truly a uniquely Caymanian experience.
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
My favourite restaurant has been Morgan's for many years. I just love the rustic food, awesome service and relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
WHERE'S A GOOD PLACE TO BUY SOUVENIRS?
It's funny for a local but I always hit the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory by the Butterfield roundabout in town to grab Cayman trinkets, hats, towels and of course rum cakes. The One345 Swanky Shack also has lots of fun, locally designed T's.
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST MOVED HERE?
Take your time to enjoy the slower pace. It can sometimes be frustrating when you first arrive and expect all of the services you're used to be available here at the same efficiency. Cayman may not be as technologically advanced when it comes to online systems, customer service or Sunday trading (everything is closed on Sundays) but what used to bother me, is now a sense of charm and peace. I really appreciate that Sunday is a quiet day with little traffic and families at the beach. I feel connected to people more here than I ever did living in the city because the person you meet in the grocery line today, might be your server at a restaurant tomorrow. There's a beautiful sense of community that may not always be rosy but there's a cultural respect for sharing space with one another that brings humanity back to our daily lives.
