Sunday, June 03, 2007

Carribbean Conversation

I think coming back from vacation is the closest we'll ever come to knowing what our own birth was like. There we were, all happy and warm and content and then, it's all gone. And we're shoved into (or back into) a world with cold air, loud people and responsibility.

Not that there was doubt beforehand, but the gods were on my side on this one. I had busy times, quiet times, times with friends and alone time. That was probably what I needed most, though I frequently have a hard time admitting it.

Everything I might have been worried about in the beginning was nothing more than a distant thought once I stepped off the plane. It's so easy, when you leave so much of your little world behind, to just be here. To just be in a place where there are no measures, no expectations and very few people to care who you are or what you're doing. Of course, there are those there to see and be seen. There are always those. But they don't take anything from you, from your experience.


The sailing was great, even with uncooperative wind.

"I don't know," said our Captain, "I think the mountains are calling me again."
"I understand," I told him. "Just remember, Doug, it gets cold up there."

A day on White Bay. Or was it two?
"How long were you there?"
"Just for the day."
"Really?"
"I think so... I'm pretty sure. You get sucked into some kind of Live Slow vortex over there."


Some time spent snorkeling... never a disappointment on St. John.
"Did you see the shark?"
"WHAT?! What shark?"
"Oh... ummm, nothing. Turtle. I meant turtle."


In come the waves, out go your cares.
"It is a known fact that all troubles and cares dissolve in sea water."
"All of them?"
"Yes, but as a Plan B, we have rum."


Palms growing any way they choose.
"This is supposedly the nude beach."
"Like all year round?"


What else would you rather see when you walked over a hill?
"Doing a head stand in salt water hurts."
" Honey, I think doing a head stand always hurts."


One of the billion photos I took of boats.
"One day, I promise, I will have my own boat down here."
"Cool, can I be your first mate?"
"Sure. But the first mate does all the work, you know?"
"Never mind. Who drinks all the rum? I want to be that guy."

15 comments:

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I cannot believe that people actually live in fabulous places like that. I'm glad you had a wonderful trip, but now I hate you just a little.

Anonymous said...

Wow! The water is so blue. I can't believe I'm going to be there in 3 days! Sorry that you had to come back.

Anonymous said...

Yo Ho and a barrel of rum! Great pics. Just how I want to start a Monday morning; with Island envy. Ugh! :)

The Exception said...

This was a wonderful way to start my week. I love sailing!!! It is one of those things my daughter will learn, whether she likes it or not.

It sounds like you had a great time; just what the doctor ordered.

Thanks for posting this and giving me a little vacation to, if only via my computer.

Anonymous said...

I'm so jealous!

Bre said...

When you get yourself that boat, I'll bring some rum! :-p

It looks like you had such an amazing time and, as I stare out the window into drizzly, muggy, June rain, I'm more than a little jealous! Welcome back!

anne said...

I think Blogger ate my comment...

Those pictures look WONDERFUL and GORGEOUS. Welcome back!

Joe said...

> "Yes, but as a Plan B,
> we have rum."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

justacoolcat said...

You stole all those pictures off of the Internets didn't you?

Anonymous said...

Barb- I sort of hate me, too. It's like once I know something, I can't un-know it. Sucks, really.

Nicole- me too! But you are gonna love it.

BoP- Yep.

GG- That's how I generally start every day.

TE- No problem.
And that's awesome that you'll teach your daughter. Never too early.

Sue- You too can get away... or at least that's what I tell myself when I can't go.

Bre- Oh you are so more than invited. Don't worry. Oh, and if you read this, you will die when you see who my "neighbors" were for a week. I'll post on it soon.

e.b.- Sorry about the comment eating. Thanks, though!

Joe- The funniest thing was that comment was uttered with a completely straight face.

JACC- Not this time. ;)

megabrooke said...

your trip sounds amazing! and i love the analogy of coming home being like a birth!

runliarun said...

I love the Live Slow vortex. I believe it's called living in the moment, making the present central to experience. It's a loss that we can we seldom reach that kind of awareness in our regular life. And it's amazing to discover that we can.

Joe said...

Despite all the fun, I bet you're happy to be home. Vacations make you appreciate home a lot more.

Legs and Wings said...

Looks just fine to me. Congratulations on vacation. It clears the mind.

Danielle said...

I want to be there...you suck, have I mentioned how much I hate you?? :)