December 28, 2022 | Awake & Dreaming

People in all parts of India dress colorfully and indulge in fun filled activities such as singing, playing games, dancing, and attending parties. Night clubs, movie theatres, resorts, restaurants and amusement parks are filled with people of all ages. People in all parts of India dress colorfully and indulge in fun filled activities such as singing, playing games, dancing, and attending parties. Night clubs, movie theatres, resorts, restaurants and amusement parks are filled with people of all ages. Some big restaurants and hotels may have a live band and a DJ or arrange some party gags and contests for their patrons.

In some cities they will try to have concerts conducted and in some metro cities they might get an international artist to come and perform for the crowd. Larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai organize live concerts which are attended by Bollywood stars and other well-known personalities. Large crowds gather to attend such shows, while some individuals prefer to celebrate with their close friends and family members. The fun filled occasion is considered a great opportunity to get closer to the loved ones in your life and to revive contact with lost friends. The media covers many New Year events which are showcased on prime channels for most of the day. Several people prefer to just go to a bar and drink a few and ring in the new year that way.

People who decide to stay indoors resort to these New Year shows for entertainment and fun. The age-old tradition of planning new resolutions for the coming year is a common sight. A few of the most popular resolutions include losing weight, developing good habits, and working hard. Still others, usually families and those with older people and small kids, will prefer to gather in a house or apartment, order some good food or cook some and have a few drinks and enjoy each other’s company and ring in the new year in the safety & comfort of being indoors in a familial environment.

It’s the World’s Most Densely Populated Islands

Approximately 600 people live in a two-and-a-half acre area, making Santa Cruz del Islote one of the world’s most densely populated places. More than a century ago, fishermen were said to have built the island on a coral platform before settling there, content with its beautiful location and lack of mosquitoes. Over the years, the families of the original inhabitants grew, and most never left, citing its palpable community spirit and laid-back way of life. The island packs a church, school, shops, and one restaurant into its winding streets and narrow alleys.

Everyone on the Island Is Related

Residents have just six different surnames, a testament to how they are all related to each other by blood or marriage. Homes painted lime green, banana yellow, and sky blue are passed down through generations and there is no room to build more: if a family requires extra space, they construct a second floor. There are no non-native residents living in the island’s approximately 100 homes, where 10 under one roof is not uncommon.

Peace and Quiet: No Crime, Cars, or Motorcycles

There is no police presence on Santa Cruz del Islote and there’s no need for it. On this small island where everyone is acquainted and people look out for one another, nobody locks their doors and no crime has ever been reported. It’s also free of traffic and vehicular noise. There are four main streets on the island, none wide enough for cars or trucks, and since distances are short people walk–or take boats–to get around.

It’s an Island Full of Children

Currently, 65 percent of Santa Cruz del Islote residents are under 18, showing how much parents value this safe environment. Kids play soccer in the tiny amount of open space there is, take boats out to fish, splash in the water, and run under washing lines in their neighborhoods, all under the watchful eyes of adult family and friends. There’s one school on Santa Cruz del Islote that ends at 10th grade; students who wish to pursue further education leave home, but many also return to the island.

Locals are Working to Conserve Sea Turtles

The bounty of the Caribbean Sea has long been the major source of food and income for island residents: a variety of fish, lobster, shrimp… and, at one time, sea turtles. Since islanders have learned of the plight of these protected creatures, there has been a cultural shift. Whereas sea turtles were previously a significant food source, now residents avoid catching them. If they become entangled in fishing nets, there’s a protocol in place: turtles are kept safe until a nearby conservation organization collects them. Not only have islanders taken sea turtles off the menu, they also educate other residents and visitors about the critical need to protect them.