We've sold our family house and now we must leave the only place we've known all our lives.
Growing up here was a dream almost, we lived on a quiet street and rode our bikes all around the place.
Over the decades, things started to change on our street and even though we tried to ignore it at first there came a point where we just couldn't anymore.
Our neighbourhood is not the same, hasn't been for years. What was once a residential area became semi-commercial. Without any warning.
And even though I have written relevant government authorities over the years, no one can tell me what's the proper zoning mandate for St. James. No one is interested in establishing proper laws for residential and commercial property in Trinidad.
If you take a drive around St. James you will see a place that looks run down, unkempt, basically in ruins. The sad thing is that, no one really seems to care how decrepit St. James gets. There's garbage on the street next to dog faeces. There's the smell of stale urine everywhere. There's businesses next to houses, there's rum shops and food joints. It's a misguided place with no real order. It's falling apart in sections and that's just the way it's gonna stay.
And so, without warning, quiet, lovely, simple St. James became a dump. Not overnight, but gradually.
On my family's street alone, there's a roadside mechanic (directly opposite our house), a printer, a gym and an ice factory, all on one short side-street.
On that very street that I grew up on, a once peaceful place, there is now traffic, car fumes daily, running engines and without fail everyday there's always someone parked in front of our driveway.
Everyday.
That's why my family and I were left with no choice. We were forced to sell the only place we've ever called home.
This house was built in 1966. It's not the greatest, there's a few things that need repairs, but it's home.
And now we must leave here, because we cannot enjoy any peace, in our space, in our place.
We have no idea where we're going, so far we haven't found a suitable place that we can afford.
But, one thing is for sure, we have to move.
Life is a strange thing, if you refuse to move even in the face of uncomfortable circumstances, then life will force you to move.
We got an offer and we accepted.
What happens next, is anyone's guess.
But I have to believe that there's someplace out there that's perfect for my family.
I have to hope that we'll find a new home.
Growing up here was a dream almost, we lived on a quiet street and rode our bikes all around the place.
Over the decades, things started to change on our street and even though we tried to ignore it at first there came a point where we just couldn't anymore.
Our neighbourhood is not the same, hasn't been for years. What was once a residential area became semi-commercial. Without any warning.
And even though I have written relevant government authorities over the years, no one can tell me what's the proper zoning mandate for St. James. No one is interested in establishing proper laws for residential and commercial property in Trinidad.
If you take a drive around St. James you will see a place that looks run down, unkempt, basically in ruins. The sad thing is that, no one really seems to care how decrepit St. James gets. There's garbage on the street next to dog faeces. There's the smell of stale urine everywhere. There's businesses next to houses, there's rum shops and food joints. It's a misguided place with no real order. It's falling apart in sections and that's just the way it's gonna stay.
And so, without warning, quiet, lovely, simple St. James became a dump. Not overnight, but gradually.
On my family's street alone, there's a roadside mechanic (directly opposite our house), a printer, a gym and an ice factory, all on one short side-street.
On that very street that I grew up on, a once peaceful place, there is now traffic, car fumes daily, running engines and without fail everyday there's always someone parked in front of our driveway.
Everyday.
That's why my family and I were left with no choice. We were forced to sell the only place we've ever called home.
This house was built in 1966. It's not the greatest, there's a few things that need repairs, but it's home.
And now we must leave here, because we cannot enjoy any peace, in our space, in our place.
We have no idea where we're going, so far we haven't found a suitable place that we can afford.
But, one thing is for sure, we have to move.
Life is a strange thing, if you refuse to move even in the face of uncomfortable circumstances, then life will force you to move.
We got an offer and we accepted.
What happens next, is anyone's guess.
But I have to believe that there's someplace out there that's perfect for my family.
I have to hope that we'll find a new home.
home is where your heart is... if you look with your hearts, you'll find it wherever it might be...
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