The ritual of this New Yorker is to save up all
summer to be able to take off during the coldest months of winter. I went
to Jamaica in December to run a marathon. Some people might call that
torture not vacation.
Miami was the destination for January, which I met
up with my two friends from high school. Then in February I snuck down to
Mexico to spend the week with my mother who just became a part-time resident of
the country known for its tequila. Ironically I didn't even drink one
margarita.
These trips were very different from vacations I
use to take in college and adolescence when partying was the main objective.
Instead I found myself in bed by 11 most nights just to wake up and go for a
run or practice yoga. The other ritual was drinking a fresh juice in exchange
for the black coffee I start with in NYC. What the hell do I have to wake up
for when there is a rooster and the smell of salt water to do it for me.
The trips to Mexico and Miami had many things in
common. I was in the company of women who had supported me during rough times
and new company that I got to meet at a high peak in my life. From
the beautiful Anna and Christian who let us wild flower of friends sprawl into
their loving space of life in Miami. The people of Miami are just like art at
the Wynwood
Walls- vibrant, diverse and capturing.
Miami has a high frequency heartbeat
for life!!
Our hearts exploded with joy when we took a boat out to the back bay of Miami and danced like we had been holding it in for a year. Bodies sway- swing- jump and bump while the bottle pop- fizz- pour and spill no concept of time when your mind is on fire- full of joy- whole.
Celebration was the main theme of January for three ladies who floated carelessly down the river before and now are driving their lives with a little more control. The direction is not important as long as we are awake and aware at the wheel. Consciousness-centered and wellness-wrapped these are the snapshots of life I will never forget.
Next thing I know I am back on a plane back to NYC. 30 days strategically planned before I get to see another beach. The first snowstorm of the winter hits and unloads 8 feet. My mom keeps texting me "can't wait to sit next to you with our toes in the sand and a beer in our hand." You got that right!
As the plane began to land the ocean greets the runaway 20 feet away from my window seat. Coming from 10 degrees to feeling humidity of Mexico's heat is like drinking a beer after running a marathon (greatest thing). Then you see your mother's face for the first time in 9 months and you think that is an even greater thing!
My mom only had one appropriate CD at her place and so it was Bob Marley for five days straight. He sang as we drove to different beaches, to breakfast, to the airport to pick up some more friends. We turned it up while driving home from a different live reggae show.
We be JAMMIN
A live performance a day keeps the soul happy- it was quite a pleasant turn of events. The entire trip presented a side to the beachy village of Barra De Navidad that I thought I knew before. I came to see a more holistic and homey environment. Each day started with yoga and meditation in the morning and then surfing the wave by the jetty. We would meet friends for fresh seafood at a random beach then regrouping for sunset and dinner. I will retire and live this way soon. Living in New York is making me appreciate that place even more.
I kept telling myself the time here is so slow in effort for the day to go by slower because I notice when you say time goes fast it seems to go faster. The morning of departure my stomach was in knots and I knew it was separation anxiety from the woman sleeping next to me. I curled up in her lap like a loyal dog and told her how much I would miss her and this home of ours. She said that I should keep being grateful for the situation back in NYC that allows me to fend for myself and take these trips. Her words set in like concrete as I walked through airport security.
¡Hasta luego!
=)
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