Giving thanks

The introspection I’ve been able to indulge in over the past 4+ months has reaffirmed that my life is full to the brim with a profusion of good fortune.  I give thanks now every single day, not just once a year.  The list of entries in my new gratitude journal is too long to itemize here, but know that you, gentle reader, are among them.  

What I am most grateful for is the unstinting support and understanding and love of my three phenomenal children.  They are so very generously and graciously allowing me this journey of healing and growth even though it is often difficult for them.  They have not expressed one iota of anger, resentment, or regret. Sadness, yes, of course; nobody expected our lengthy separation to be easy, and I would be devastated if it were.  Each tear they shed is like a needle in my eye and every expression of wistfulness is a tough punch to my heart.  But they are meeting the challenges with an aplomb and impressive maturity that leave me breathless with pride. 

Sophia, Luca, and Raphael are such strong, self-assured, empathetic young adults – and fun and funny, too! – and I am truly blessed to have them in my life.  

 Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

Central America recap

Traveling is a brutality.  It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.

--Cesare Pavese

The Central American chapter of my journey is now ended.  The past six weeks in Costa Rica and Belize saw a marked slowing of pace and easing of expectations, and generally more unfamiliarity and discomfort. In my cabinas there was no Internet, only mosquito nets; no AC, only ceiling fans; a regular struggle with fragile septic systems, weak water pressure, and unstable electric provision.  It was hot, humid, sweaty, sandy, salty, sticky.  Put me off balance for sure, and yet it was invigorating.  

 
And simple: It was primarily an existence that was indeed dominated by essential elements (air, sleep, dreams, sea, sky) and my partaking of them in a daily routine that more closely followed the rhythm of a farmer: up with the sun and down with the sun.  Finished with FOMO (at least for now).

And soothing: I had finally made it to the coast and was able to gaze my fill of the watery horizon, first the Pacific and then the Caribbean.  Rough surf and dark depths to the west, easy breakers over the barrier reef to the east. Slept and woke to the constant sound of the waves coming ashore.

In CR I was delighted to make some very small contributions by planting trees, thatching roofs, releasing baby turtles.  

  








 








In Belize I was a responsible diver, taking only pictures, leaving only bubbles, and killing only time -- and jumping into water full of (very large nurse) sharks despite my lifelong fear of these creatures.  

Wildlife played a huge role in the adventures, first in the jungle:

 and then underwater: 

 

Throughout the continent, these annoying buggers were my constant companion -- that was the brutal part! 

  
There is indeed truth in Cesare’s statement above, and the past four months of travel have had their difficulties – and I still miss my kids something awful! – but I have found solace in the kindness of strangers, made many new friends, and feel that a definite lightening of the emotional baggage is discernible. On that note, let me share another of Signore Pavese’s quotes with you:

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light.  Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. 

Unbelizeable...

…the workaday world of Ambergris Caye in November:

The Autobahn 

Commuting

Rush hour

 Belizean e-cars

 

 My desktop 

  

Fall foliage

  Business lunch (lobster ceviche) 

 

 Job stress  

Holiday decorations

 

Coffee break 

 

 Quittin’ time