On my desk here at my office, I have one holiday decoration hanging around from last year: an eight-inch tall gingerbread house figurine with 'Ginger Land' written on a banner over the door.

Yes, I realize Christmas was over nine months ago.

Back in January I just couldn't bring myself to put this one away. Ginger Land seemed like the perfect label for my cluttered cubicle, tucked back in a cozy corner of the office.

Ever since I was little I have loved everything about gingerbread houses. To this day I continue to search for the perfect gingerbread recipe: spicy, sweet, a little chewy and structurally-sound enough to build an edible skyscraper.

Today I decided that I should go searching for the "real" Ginger Land, and was shocked to discover that it really exists! Located in the two-island Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (Leeward Islands, West Indies), Saint George Gingerland is a parish on the southeastern part of the island of Nevis.

Commonly referred to as Gingerland, the area is named for the valuable ginger crop that used to be grown there. Nowadays the area is known for its fresh fruits and vegetables, fishing and tourism.

Just from the satellite view, you can imagine it must be a beautiful place:


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One thing that struck me as funny is that "my" Ginger Land is in St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada (also known as St.Kitts to us locals). We too are known for our fresh fruits and veggies. Sport fishing is a popular activity around here. And being nestled amidst Niagara Falls and Niagara Wine Country, tourism is a big part of our local economy too.

Looking across my desk at that little candy cane-embellished house, Ginger Land is now just one more reminder to me of how small our cozy little planet really is.