Been There, Done That...

Off subject...I have decided to think about a question that I am confronted with on an almost, weekly basis. Typically, I ignore it. Ignore the questions from mostly people I barely know, go figure. Who has time for that? Someone who doesn't even know me, my background, my values, my goals, my family. The question, when are you having kids?

Ok, let's address this. I am 31 years young. So most people say, oh..that's ok, you still have time. Some even take the time to tell me just how much time. You have at least 2 years, they say. Oh, I say...do I? Well, that's good to know...I may spontaneously combust if I don't do something soon. Life, as we know it, may end and horrible things will happen to me...like....dying lonely. Don't most of us?

How many stories have I heard of the elderly, with several children & grandchildren die alone. Die in a nursing home, neglected and ignored. Yes, I love the elderly. I feel for them. Children or no children, it is not fair how our country treats them. Complaining about every little thing they do and the things we need to do for them. Not remembering all they went through to either raise us, or fight for our country or work their fingers to the bone so we could have our lifestyle of Hummers and Big Screens. So soon we forget about the "other children", our grandparents, great aunts and uncles.

I vow to never forget. To always have a place for my parents, for those who cared for me and are older. I will always have an open door for them. I may not have "children", but I have a heart. A passion for life and for all relationships. Mother, Father, Friend, Husband, Pet, Nephew, Cousin.....you all mean so much to me.
I loved my childhood. Let me just say, I cannot ever imagine having it any other way. My parents, my friends, my friends' parents, teachers, neighborhood. It was perfect. Literally, perfect. I know that one day I am destined to write a book about all of the characters of my childhood. I think about it all the time. I love and still love all of those that were a part of it. People think I am naive because I am so positive. Yes, I had a wonderful childhood, yes I think in the positive, yes I have Hope. But, no, this did not last forever. There was turmoil, abuse, drugs, threats, depression, suicide, abortion, death, fear, failure. All of those things we are all so afraid of. Yes, I had this. I learned from it. I have no regrets. I feel better for it. It may strike again, it always does. But Hope will never leave.

This is just one aspect of being "childless". Having the freedom to travel. To explore anywhere at anytime. To go to a place and truly find meaning in it. Not just to have a few drinks at an all inclusive resort and say you've been somewhere, but to go, meet the people....learn the culture....reflect and admire. To understand that places and people do not have to be "owned". That you can enjoy something for what it is and not have to have an material investment in it. To appreciate something without having to have it.

Taking time to reflect on your thoughts. To write, to read, to listen. Taking care of your body without selfishness. To feel good about one's self. Selfishness is taking away from someone else to fulfill yourself. But don't confuse fulfillment for one's self as being selfish.

Do what you want. Love children, your parents, your grandparents, your friends, your cats, your dogs, your garden, your books, your music, your hair, your body, your job, your freedom, your job, your house, your neighbor, your fellow man.....Love Life. There is nothing better than being in the presence of someone who is truly happy. Be that person. Be Happy. You know how.

Labels: childless, life, reflection, spirituality, thoughts, travel

I am only hoping that I can write about such a tranquil island as Vieques in a way that you can only imagine the experience I had just a month ago on this tiny, still much unknown island.
Situated 25 minutes (by twin prop) off of the East Coast of Puerto Rico lives a tiny island called Vieques. What I had learned prior to visiting was only a taste of what my husband & I would discover on a destination I will not soon forget.
(please refer to my previous Blog to review a bit of history of the island)

Upon arriving to San Juan Airport and boarding our twin prop plane; I was already feeling the excitement of what was just beyond the stretch of beach and lush mountain tops we would bypass on the mainland of Puerto Rico. As we flew beyond the mountains I looked outside of the plane to see what lied ahead...Vieques. Glowing with green and blues, trees and sand, it was a remarkable sight to land on this unknown place.

Driving in our rental Jeep, we immediately knew that the creatures, the horses and the natives ruled. We stopped for horses as you would stop for deer, allowing them to quietly glide along their way to their respective homes. Most have owners, but are allowed to roam free during the day. They feed on the land and roam as nature intended. They are healthy and beautiful and also serve as a much needed mode of transportaion on an island where walking is most dangerous. We saw for ourselves a native woman colapse from the sweltering heat and immediately called for help. The people are kind and good. Laid back, but not stupid. They know how to survive with nature. A place where lobster and fish are plentiful. Where fish feed on red root trees in the mangroves that provide birds a home and so on....
This takes me to the Bioluminescent Bay. Only 12 exist in the world and we attended the brightest of them all. A place where National Geographic even had a hard time photographing. As the BioBay, is intended to be a memory, a feeling. Something I can only try and explain in words. As we ventured out on our electric pontoon boat, the driver amused us by stomping on the floor. As we looked over the side we could see the fish scurry in the dark waters, glowing bright as the stars above. It was night and the sky was the most beautiful I may ever see. Every constellation was viewable and the entire Milky Way could be seen. With a dark sky and still waters ahead, we anchored and dove in. There we all were, swimming, glowing in the dark. Like little kids, we swam in the water while these amazing little "fireflies" lit us up each time we moved. As our bodies left the water and climbed aboard, our skin lit up as though liquid diamonds streamed down our legs.

During the day we would drive all over the island. In the evening we would dine in the trees. There was a new beach each day to explore. Not one ever inhabiting another human. The waters were crystal clear and stayed shallow as far as the eye could see. The fish would kiss your feet as you walked in sand as smooth as baby powder.

The Inn on the Blue Horizon. A hidden gem, with only the rooftops showing through the trees. As you walk further on through the winding pathways, past the mystical buildings you see as far as you can see. The Inn, situated on a bluff is an unforgettable place that you can only dream about. The rooftop views, the endless pool and the amazing cuisine is only the beginning. Paul, Mayra, Yolanda and the many others are there for you night and day. They are not only dedicated to what they do, they love what they do. This is their home and they are happy to share it with you. They are not your waitstaff, they are your friends. It is a first name basis at the Inn on the Blue. You are part of their family during your stay. The nature surrounding the cottages and guest houses takes your breath away. As I stared out from the infinity pool, one day, overlooking the bluff. Just beyond my shoulder, a wild horse came running from the brush out toward the ocean. There was no sound, but the trot of his hoofs. It was simply the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. That is until...

Our flight home. Looking down upon Vieques, there was a rainbow. Below the plane, we flew over the rainbow. Unlike Dorothy though, I felt there was a new place I would like to call home.

Labels: beach, island, vacation, vieques

So as I have been telling everyone I come in contact with....4 more alarm clocks until my big vacation of the year, I don't have to tell you how desperately I need this one. Yes, we all need a break from society, uh I mean, reality...but this has got to be one well deserved getaway. As I sit and write this, my head is pounding from the pressure of Hurricane Hanna moving our way up the east coast. My body has become putty and my eyes burn as though I have been staring at the sun all day.

But, no worries. Storm pressure systems, hurricanes and yes...Wedding Anniversary vacation getaways all have something in common. Bittersweet. I am not one to take many risks, but this is one, well, sort of traditional risk for me and my husband. This year we are celebrating ten years of wedded bliss and as I look back on our trips, I realize most were surrounded by some sort of storm system. Our honeymoon to Cancun; leaving as the black clouds moved in and the plane wouldn't start. Five years; the first time for my husband on a cruise ship. We headed north and into a storm that rocked the ship more than I have ever seen. In an almost sarcastic manner, the staff decided to use Titanic as the theme for the formal dinner. Nice touch Royal Caribbean.

Yes, we got married during hurricane season and that has a lot to do with it. But, I also like to think that our passionate, opinionated, many times, argumentative nature towards each other is almost so powerful that it follows us when we celebrate our love for one another. Silly, to you maybe, but for me, it all means something.

So upon my return, I will be sure to update you with the pictures and stories of what just may be our most interesting getaway yet. In the meantime, thank Hurricane Ike for us and please tell Josephine to keep heading North.

After much reading, I have finally made up my mind for my upcoming ten year wedding anniversary. This is what I know so far, any input from those who have had experience on this tiny, Puerto Rican island, feel free to comment.

Isla de Vieques (21 miles long & 5 miles wide), free from the US Navy's bombing practices a few years back has given tourists and locals the ability to enjoy it's tranquil beaches once again. Not easy to find when researching traveling destinations, and rightfully so. I am actually quite proud for finding it, but also very aware that more people will. We know that our stay will be memorable, but am hoping our footprints will not.

Vieques is describe as the way Puerto Rico once was. Lush, tropical mango trees growing as wild as the horses running the beaches. Several drinking establishments lining the beach for a lazy afternoon happy hour or an evening dinner of fresh, grilled fare. The kind of people that enjoy a good conversation over watching useless nonsense on tv. No golf courses, there are plenty of beaches to make your own sport. No chain restaurants or shopping malls, there are plenty of things to do without spending your money.

Seems to me, if you want to go to a place that has frozen in time, the way things used to be, Vieques is where you will find it.

It took me months of over thinking and a weekend of researching websites, but I finally found that destination on my list of "pretty close to perfect, but cheap enough to make happen". Now that I have made the necessary decisions; cost, distance, weather and lack of any tourist areas within a 1,000 mile radius I can begin reading about all the fun things that go along with planning a vacation.

But there is one element that cannot be found by exploring websites, flipping through magazines or turning the pages of the newspaper. That would come from you. Stories, advice, opinions and reviews of you the people. Those who have traveled, want to travel....give me your stories, your recommendations, your pictures.

This September will be my husband & I's 10 year wedding anniversary, and I want it to be special for the both of us. So let me know where you would go or where you have been. Our pick will be revealed after hearing your opinions.

EMAIL YOUR PICS, STORIES & SUGGESTIONS TO: INFO@CUSTOMCONIERGE.BIZ
*Your email will be published on this blog.

One thing I enjoy, being home after a long week of the grind while taking in the surroundings in the comfort of my home. Lying around, wine in hand, soothed by the earthy colors of the walls and aromatic smells of the kitchen.

Pictures make up 75% of my home's decor. Each area of each room has it's own individual style of display. Between family in the dining room and weddings under the Eiffel tower clock, photos of destinations visited float along the shelves providing me the serene backdrop that forces me into my daily daydream.

There are a few spots that remain empty. Those areas of white canvas capture my gaze the most, allowing me to complete the picture of my own ideas on what destination will fill that spot next. There is nothing more fulfilling than capturing that perfect moment of a vacation and knowing you will have plenty of space to frame it in for those much enjoyed days at home.

So it's a beautiful Spring day. The sun is shining and there are no plans on the agenda. It's good thing. But, I can't help to think back to last weekend. Gloomy, raining and chilly are what most people were describing the weather. Most people, however, weren't at the shore without an alarm clock.

It was one of those peaceful weekends I haven't had in a long time, and I was even there with my husband. Just kidding, of course. There were no agendas, no places we needed to be and no noise. The gloomy sky and distant lightening illuminating over the tops of the vacant condominiums were a calming effect. We knew we had a safe and quiet retreat to hide back to. We stayed in the old lighthouse at Fagers Island on 56 street. Until now, Fagers was only a regular place to go for sunsets and martinis. Now it has a new feel to me. Situated next to the brand new condominiums Fagers calls "The Edge", the lighthouse has that nostalgic feel when you walk in staring at the rafters above. We stayed in a bay front room overlooking nothing more than just that, along with a few rowdy pigeons. We were on the second floor, below the more spacious and expensive suites with fireplace and double jacuzzi,placed appropriately, next to the king size bed. But, that didn't take away from our king suite overlooking a beautiful view. Even the decor was serene and peaceful in white fabrics, marble and lots of mirrors! The mirrors add a nice touch when housekeeping comes in for turn down service to light the candles in your room. But I have to admit, I am now on a strict diet after seeing a little too much of myself over the weekend.

As for the sunsets, we didn't have to visit the restaurant this time for that show. So we were still wanting a reason to go. Lucky for us Fagers offers a Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm with a diverse, but simple menu. Live jazz is happening in the dining room while you dine on the deck overlooking the bay. My husband is not a breakfast guy, but loves peppers and spice. It was perfect...he had the Potato and Chorizo Sausage Hash blended with spices which went over more like a lunch and I had the Smokey Tom, two english muffins topped with smoked turkey, eggs benedict and peppers. The potatoes were roasted perfectly and had plenty of seasoning. The omelet menu looked good for those who don't do spicy. If that wasn't enough, we made room to split what we read to be the "Best Bloody Mary on the Beach". Well, I normally don't drink bloody mary's on the beach, but this one was damn good. Again, we opted for the spice, plenty of old bay with our vodka!

So after eating our way through the weekend, I'm back in the hectic days of the real world with no complaints of the beautiful sunshine beckoning me outside. That reminds me, I need to go buy a hammock. Until next time...I will hopefully than be escaping gloomy weather to travel towards the sun. Funny how that works.