How to PhD Podcast

Solo Vacation in the Caribbeans | Day 4 Insights | Mainland Versus the Islands | Boston Life

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I am loving September in Boston. Today when I stepped out the sun was just right. Warms your heart but doesn’t burn the skin. Then after work I went to Home Goods and the evening too was just perfect.

You know when you’re driving and the sun decides to blind you and you can’t see the road for a moment, that almost happened but it’s becoming dusk earlier now and a cool twilight had descended by the time I was done buying my new comforter set.

Also I’m back home as Boston is home now!!! When I got back it was 4:30 in the morning and I was wondering if I’d get a Lyft or Uber. A nice smelling Lyft car came in THREE MINUTES

Among other things, this vacation in the Caribbeans was perfect for perspective about the many conveniences of the mainland. Lyft and Uber and ease of access to many things including unlimited (in comparison) FOOD, ingredients, things to do, jobs, etc.

The islands are in the most magnificent blue-green emerald water that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling with onlooking lush mountains. Nothing like it for sure!! However Boston has all the advantages of being on the water without the huge potentially disastrous disadvantages of being an island.

For that, we are LUCKY. Sure the water is cold so to solve that we can get away to the islands and the water is dark blue but that’s because the food of the food of whales is in the water and that makes us have whales. And I like whales. I like it here.

Of course the best part is FUJI SUJI BAJI (fur babies) live here now. I landed in Boston and realized we live here now!!! I could just go home and meet them and I did and Fuji was waiting at the door at FIVE IN THE MORNING!

Some differences between the US Virgin Islands and the Mainland (Boston):

  • The US Virgin Islands (St Thomas) has tax-free, duty-free jewelry!!! Lots of jewelry stores where you can get good deals on diamonds, gold, silver, precious stones, etc. Check this yourself but I believe the limit is $1300 for a single person and $3200 for a household on jewelry you can buy tax-free, over that limit, you will have to pay a small fee at customs at the airport.
  • You drive on the LEFT there. I got a rental car and drove British-style, in American-style car, made in Japan!! It is kind of nerve-wracking but also powerful to be able to drive around the island doing what you want! It is not very walkable there so you do need a car. Without a car, you would rely on taxis or shared taxis/buses. There are no Lyft or Uber there.
  • There are a lot of mosquitos in the Caribbean! I was bit a lot in my hotel room as well at night. Haven't really experienced that in Boston at home. 
  • It is very hot in the Caribbean (I went in late August-September) and I had to be careful about not getting sun poisoning and dehydration! I did get sick one night after being out all day. So be careful!! But if you love the sun, you get a LOT OF IT there 
  • The drinking age there is 18 and open liquor is allowed in the streets! You can just get a drink while jewelry shopping and walk outside with it!
  • The islands can be affected by disastrous hurricanes while Boston has the advantages of being on the water but it is relatively much safer 
  • Everyone knows everyone in the islands, it is a small and close-knit community which can be great depending on personal preference. The life there is more laid back and things are slower... it is nice to get away and slow down with nature in the Caribbeans
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    How to PhD PodcastBy Oindree Banerjee
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