Why I love my 7 minutes drive to work in Anguilla

Even the simplest thing like the drive from my house to work is a pleasure when you live in Anguilla. My drive to work is not a mundane experience. Instead it is filled with scenic delights and colourful characters which make it pleasurable and this helps to prepare me with smiles for the day ahead.

After saying goodbye to my dog Vision, my first sighting is usually my neighbour’s dog. He is usually taking a leisurely stroll on the street or in front of another neighbour’s house as he makes his morning rounds. Yes, there goes Cho, with a wag of his tail and a bounce in his paw steps.

Driving along the road in Anguilla

When I get to the corner, I peer along the road to see if I spot any students.  The usual suspects are two young men who attend Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School.  The first time I encountered one of the young men I almost did not stop to pick him up as it is my policy not to pick up any student walking with their shirts out of their pants or skirts.  Nevertheless, I picked him up but I warned him that if he was not correctly dressed next time, I would drive by without stopping. It was then a pleasure to see him and pick him up a few days later with his shirt nicely tucked in.  It appears that at least for the duration of the car drives that he is a well-mannered young man who is looking forward to returning to his native home after he completes his schooling in Anguilla.

As I journey on and make another right on the main Stoney Ground road I am almost certain to see two Rastas walking or having an animated conversation.  A few hundred metres further on, I will see a lovely and friendly woman on the street. When I wave, I will get back the biggest wave and regardless of my mood I can’t help but smile at her child-like innocence and exuberance.

Coconut tree on roadside in Stoney Ground Anguilla

I travel a bit further and see another older resident in short cut off distressed jeans which he rocks confidently.

As I draw closer to the stop light I behold a beautiful flamboyant tree and on the opposite site of the road, two more of these beautiful trees are bursting forth in glorious colour.

Flamboyant tree in partial bloom in Stoney Ground, Anguilla

I leave the trees behind and make a right onto the Queen Elizabeth highway and immediately I hear the laughter and shouts of children dressed in light pink shirts and maroon pants or skirts. I watch in fascination as parents and guardians drop off their little ones for school. Some appear relaxed as they wave cheerfully at their children while others seem a lot more frazzled as they tie ribbons, close bags and lace shoestrings.

I continue past the Orealia Kelly Primary School (OKPS) and observe quickly Anguilla’s national symbols and briefly note that it was a fantastic idea to depict the symbols in pictures on the outer school wall. The wall should be repainted regularly as it enhances the area.

National Symbols for Anguilla painted on the school wall at the Orealia Kelly Primary School in Anguilla

Down the hill I go past the church and another beautiful flamboyant tree , the football and track and field stadiums on the left and farming land on the right. Sometimes my good friends the cow and donkey are on the side of the road relaxing and taking in the sights of all those rushing to get to work each week day morning.

Church of God of Holiness, Queen Elizabeth Highway, Anguilla

Flamboyant tree in Anguilla

Flamboyant tree and other flower in Anguilla

I am now at the round-a-bout and I must be very vigilant and observant as so many persons use the roundabout recklessly and incorrectly. Just remember to keep to the left when driving in Anguilla.

Approaching the roundabout in the Valley, Anguilla

After clearing the round a bout, I pass the Anglican Church and look over to the right to see what new developments or characters have ‘popped’ up in the ‘market’ area.

St. Mary’s Anglican Church, The Valley, Anguilla

I am now almost at work and I see many civil servants like myself on the road in front and behind of me. I pass the post office and make a left turn and look over to the big tamarind tree to see who is standing at the ‘car’ stop hoping to catch a ‘lift’.

My last turn is a right turn as I pull into the parking area under the big trees at my workplace. My drive to work is over but I must admit that I enjoyed all 7 minutes of it. I hope you did too.