Day 56

Today holds my one calendar entry that wasn’t cancelled.

The iCalendar that use to coordinate my over-scheduled life BC has been untouched these past 56 days, except for all the deletions. Work events were cancelled, because we can no longer host them, and because, in some cases, the client is in another country and won’t be coming to Cayman any time soon now that the borders are closed, indefinitely. Any personal iCal events I deleted some weeks back, so as to prevent the disappointment of waking each day to see all the lovely social things I will no longer be able to attend.

But today there was one event that does take place, my pledge ceremony, where I am to swear in and become a Caymanian citizen. I had received the official nod of approval earlier this year, but this ceremony seals the deal. Makes me legit. 

In comparison to other countries one may choose for a new start in life, becoming Caymanian has certainly not been easy sailing. First there was the buying a property issue with the hard-to-swallow stamp duty fee. Then there was Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, that swept through said property, taking the kitchen with it, so that we were washing up dishes in the bathtub until the following Easter. Then there was the grueling Permananent Residency process that is so hit-and-miss, there’s no guarantee you’ve got it, until you get the letter a year later. In the seventeen years, since I left London for the brand-new unfamiliar way of life, I’ve built one business, raised two babies, rescued ten animals, grown fifty trees, employed over eighty people, supported numerous charities and made friendships for a lifetime. If this isn’t home, well, then bears aren’t catholic. (That is the right phrase, isn’t it?)

In preparation for today’s solemn rite, I have read the invitation that asks participants to dress appropriately, and practice the lines we must read aloud when it is our turn. What does one wear to be appropriate for a Zoom call? A blouse and jacket on top; sweat pants and slippers below? I opt for a semi casual assemblage, and even embellish with light makeup. Perfume? Why not? It is a special occasion after all.

The invitation gives clear instructions on how and when to log in, yet there is the usual comedy of errors for at least 20 minutes, with participants losing their codes, phoning the host for a password, having audio issues, accidentally unmuting the mic so we can all hear a baby screaming. Nothing out of the ordinary for a Zoom chat during the apocalypse then. At least on this call we didn’t get to see anyone’s cats, underwear or bathroom interior, so with this in mind, it went quite well.

There are fifteen participants being sworn in today, by the deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who reminds us that great citizens make great countries, ….now you have a great responsibility to do even more to represent the Cayman Islands. We are asked to stand, each taking our turn to take the pledge, holding one hand up, reciting the words we have been supplied; 

“I will give my loyalty to the Cayman Islands and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British Overseas Territories Citizen.” 

When the ceremony is over, there is a quick briefing on how to collect our envelope containing our certificates from the Government building. Pull up outside. Don’t leave the vehicle. Wear a facemask. Call this number, someone will bring it outside to your vehicle. Do not leave the vehicle.

I have only been to town once during quarantine, so I’m not excited about the trip and all these rules. When I do collect my envelope with the certificate, it will also contain another coveted prize, the application form for British citizenship. It is a small, ironic, world.

CI Gov press announcement: 494 new test results in, all are negative. Total 111 cases, 55 have recovered. 

4 reusable fabric masks are delivered to our door by the government. A truck drives by with a loudspeaker: Stay home Cayman! together we can get through this!

On my evening bike ride I listen to an eclectic mix curated by Apple Music, which selects Paul’s Simon’s Call Me Al. Memories come flooding back. I literally loved this song as a kid. Maybe it was because it has a distinctive African sound, and I spent a significant chunk of my childhood in Kenya. The school I went to outside Nairobi was called “The Banda” which means “the hut” and pretty much summed up the whole experience. The school day ended at noon and I would spend long afternoons hanging out with my best friend Luisa Baldini, at each other’s homes. When we were in second grade, Luisa and I landed the essential roles of ‘extra squirrels’ in the school play, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. During one of our play dates, we decided it would be a good idea to dress up in our squirrel costumes, and do our version of an African tribal dance, around the bird bath in my garden. Maybe that’s why tribal music still resonates with me…. Luisa grew up to become a successful BBC news reporter, meanwhile, I…. well, let’s just say I’m still growing.

The other reason I loved Call Me Al when I was a kid was because the lyrics are so wacky. What, for example, does Mr. Beerbelly, Beerbelly; Get these mutts away from me! even mean? It’s just so silly. That’s why I learned every word by heart. My favourite line is the last one: 

Spinning in infinity, He says, “Amen and Hallelujah!

Paul Simon

And that’s me. The global citizen. On our tiny planet. Spinning in infinity.

Amen. And good night.