"I left everything and went to live in the Caymans"

The need for a change the desire for adventure and my passion for traveling helped me overcome my fears and take the plunge. At my thirty-eight springs I left a stable future within the marketing department of a multinational in Madrid to work as maître d' at a fancy restaurant ten thousand miles away , specifically in grand cayman.

For those who do not know how to locate it precisely, this archipelago, made up of three small islands ( Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac ) is located between Cuba and Jamaica. A small paradise - also fiscal - known for having more registered companies than inhabitants, one hundred thousand versus sixty thousand approximately . In recent years it is common to hear his name on the news, not without controversy, since it is the headquarters of many offshore companies.

What the newscasts do not talk about is the kindness of its inhabitants , an enriching mix of natives and expatriates from all corners of the planet, of the turquoise blue of the water and the white sand of its wonderful beaches.

"I left everything and went to live in the Caymans"

"Discovered" by Columbus on his fourth voyage to the Americas in 1503 and under English sovereignty since the 17th century, little remains here of British heritage beyond language (English is official), the image of Queen Elizabeth II on her coin ( cayman dollar , whose value is almost equivalent to the euro) and that you drive on the left.

On the other hand, his situation, less than an hour by plane from Miami, makes tourism -not massive- mainly American . Few Spaniards you will see around here. And in general, you will come across a relaxed traveler and little friend of posture , although of high purchasing power. It is common to see visitors who arrive by private plane and go to dinner in shirts and linen pants or shorts if the venue allows it.

Dine with a view in Grand Cayman

Wahoo, mahi and snapper are the names of the native fish that flood the beautiful restaurants with views of the sea or one of the island's canals. Among them, Water and Morgan's are some of the most recommended for have ceviche, tuna tartare, scallops or delicious lobster pasta dishes . Less glamorous, but with a lot of charm, it is Heritage Kitchen , a small and charming restaurant in West Bay, also with views of the sea and where the star is the fish of the day with rice and beans.

After dinner, residents and visitors mingle for a drink at Calico Jacks , a beach bar located in Seven Mile Beach , one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caymans and where it is celebrated the full moon party every month.

Heritage Kitchen

The rhythm here is slow, very slow , so it is time to arm yourself with patience in the supermarket, in daily routines or when processing any bureaucratic management. It's frustrating at first , but you soon get used to it and assume the pleasant sensation of slowing down the frenetic pace to which we are accustomed. They are not the ones who are wrong. Nevertheless, the hotels and restaurants are mostly managed by expatriates so the pace is similar to that of Europe.

Cemetery Beach, Grand Cayman

Gambling and prostitution are prohibited in the archipelago , but more striking is that he is also practicing topless, something that nobody seems to care about. It is fulfilled to the letter... without more. You won't find alcoholic beverages in supermarkets either, as they are only sold in specific stores, liquor stores, from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays it will be difficult for you to buy anything, in general, because everything is closed . The perfect day, therefore, to enjoy a barbecue on the beach or a brunch with oysters, Wellington sirloin, fruit and a long etcetera (all washed down with unlimited bubbles, as they say) in one of the hotels on the island, What The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Kimpton Seafire Resort or The Westin Grand Cayman.

Of course, if you prefer to integrate with the caimanera community, the obligatory appointment every Sunday consists of go to church with the best clothes, they with a suit and hat and they in dark and with a headdress . It is incredible to verify that in only 196 square kilometers there is a huge number of churches, about two hundred between Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran and Catholic , just to name a few. The devotion of the parishioners is curious while the preacher shouts, sings and gestures... as if it were a scene from a movie.

Getting around the island is easy . Municipal buses are small vans, which, although they have their established routes, can change direction without any inconvenience and stop where you tell them . More than once you will see how the driver takes a lady loaded with shopping bags to the door of his house -literally-. Do not be surprised: the local people are friendly and polite and, although their English is extremely difficult to understand, they smile happily at the language barrier and that is contagious. There, life flows at a different pace. Is it the weather or that all can hope philosophy that makes life here seem a little easier?

grand cayman

Saying goodbye to the year on the beach, swimming in wild waters with turtles and manta rays, diving in one of the most privileged places in the world, swimming with dolphins and kitesurfing with friends from all over the world are unforgettable experiences that give meaning to the madness of leaving everything and changing your life for a while.

My adventure lasted two and a half years, until I returned to the noise and rush of Madrid, but I like to think that I brought a piece of that place with me and everything that it taught me . For me, that little paradise will always be my second home.

"For me, that little paradise will always be my second home"