They left Rouen to change their lives, in Guadeloupe: “We are happy to have taken the plunge”
By Mathieu Normand
Published on
Bérengère and her family have left everything in the metropolis of Rouen (Seine-Maritime) to settle Guadeloupe. 76news had met them just before their departure, in October 2021 to talk about this life-changing project. Six months later, where are they? Their daily life has changed, but does it correspond to their expectations? “We are happy to have taken the plunge”, assures Bérengère, under a beautiful sun, palm trees in the background. She is now totally convinced: “Whatever happens, it will be a great adventure! »
A start in the midst of a crisis
However, the couple and their two children did not arrive in the most favorable context. The social crisis affecting Guadeloupe has crystallized around the health crisis and the vaccination obligation, making the situation extremely tense on the territory with urban violence, road blockades and demonstrations. “When you come on vacation here, you are amazed. There is the beautiful nature and the kindness of the people. You are less aware of their daily problems. »
Bérengère quotes pell-mell “the cost of living”, “the injustices” and “the somewhat painful history”. “We know why they were angry, so it didn’t affect our desire to settle here. We thought it was going to calm down. And then there were also the happy moments, the discoveries, the walks in nature, the snacks at the beach with the family and the encounters that helped them feel at home. “We were lucky to be welcomed by a family (the owners of the house they are renting) of incredible benevolence and kindness. »
The period of tension somewhat slowed down the professional projects of Bérengère, who launched an ethical travel agency called the Green Turtle. “It was complicated to go prospecting to find partners. She took advantage of this suspended time to write a guide to Guadeloupe. And things finally resume their course with great opportunities. The couple, who had the idea of setting up an accommodation service for travelers in a few years, could even see things speed up. He was lucky enough to find a house, and was pleasantly surprised to find two solid bungalows there, which could perhaps become the first lodges.
“The hardest part is getting started”
This new move will lead the children to their third return to school in a year. Changes not easy to manage. Each of them adapts to their own pace and seems to get used to this new life, even if being away from loved ones can sometimes be difficult. The link is not broken, however, and the family intends to return regularly to Metropolitan France. “I have never experienced so much with my children as since I arrived here. And that is priceless, ”says Bérengère.
The couple wants to instill in them a certain vision of life, with an openness to discovering the world and a sensitivity to nature. “It’s okay to make mistakes. We are human. We adapt. We fall and we get up. You have to live life intensely, have no regrets and try. Even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. This is what she advises to all those who do not feel happy and would like to change their life, overcome their fear, “the biggest obstacle” before becoming “actor of their life”. “The hardest part is getting started. “And it seems to have succeeded in this family, which considers” to be very lucky “in his new adventure.
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