Still Life with Robin: Isolate on a Island

Triskelion Flag

by Peggy Robin

Earlier this week there were some posts on the Cleveland Park Listserv (#161324  and #161338  ) asking about emigration to other countries. It’s not hard to understand why people are dreaming of living in some remote, pristine part of the globe right now - remember "Bali H'ai" from "South Pacific"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81NROmUb7o0)    

Of course, the question right now is, who will take us? Where can we get in? Here are some helpful hints from Forbes Magazine (whose motto is “Capitalist Tool”) – about finding places where, for the right price, you can take up residence, even at this moment of global pandemic:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2020/07/28/escape-america-countries-buy-citizenship-second-passport/#655d36b07f74    

And here’s a companion piece with some practical advice about making the move:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2020/07/30/live-work-remote-move-abroad-coronavirus/#3fcd9a783381  

What if you’re just dreaming? Or what if you’re so rich you can buy the island of your dreams? Here are a couple of websites that may have just what you’re looking for:  https://www.christiesrealestate.com/lifestyles/private-islands  and  https://www.privateislandsonline.com/     

Not a billionaire? Here are some islands available in the six-figure range. Some of them, to be perfectly frank, are best described as fixer-uppers – but then if you are going to be doing the Robinson Crusoe thing, you will have time on your hands! https://www.jetsetter.com/magazine/affordable-private-islands/     

Not looking for so much solitude? How about a move to a tiny,quasi-independent island -- with links to Britain but having self rule, including the oldest continuously operating parliament in the world. It’s the Isle of Man, which sits in the middle of the Irish Sea: https://manxnationalheritage.im/visit/about-the-isle-of-man/    

Here’s where to find it: https://goo.gl/maps/jU3bAxHAdkWZaz968  

If you moved there permanently, you would become a Manx! (that’s what the people are called, as well as the tailless cat). 

No, you don’t need to learn to speak Manx; the everyday language is English -- but how cool would it be if you did? The last native speaker of Manx died in 1974 but there’s an active Manx revival movement, with schools on the island that teach this ancient form of Gaelic. You can be a part of this noble effort! You could do your bit to keep this language from going extinct:  https://www.learnmanx.com/beginner_lesson_index.html

Another good thing about living on the Isle of Man: You would raise the greatest flag ever designed! All hail the Triskelion! https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-Isle-of-Man. And learn more about the symbol here: https://manxnationalheritage.im/visit/about-the-isle-of-man/three-legs-of-mann/

Every July 5th, you would be able to celebrate Tynwald Day, the opening of the Tynwald, the oldest continuous parliament in the world. It's an open air ceremony performed in front of thousands assembled on Tynwald Hill, starting with a procession by the members of the Tynwald up to Tynwalk Hill, where they’re seated outdoors on chairs arranged in hierarchical order. Once all are seated, then begins the “Fencing of the Court” -- that is, calling the assembly to order, after which they hear the Proclaiming of the Laws – by a minister called the First Deemster, who reads the laws in English, followed by the second Deemster, who reads the laws in Manx. The Lieutenant Governor then invites anyone with a Petition for Redress to present it. With all petitions presented, the Tynwald is officially open to consider legislation for the year.

This democratic institution has been functioning since 976!

If this sounds good to you, here's how to emigrate: https://www.manninvest.com/immigration/

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.