Slept in again and didn’t get into Vigo until well after noon. I had gone up to they gym for the morning exercise class at 8am but was told it and all other classed were cancelled for the day. A little disheartened I crawled back into my bed to sleep off the disappointment. Without Shawn there to inspire and push me, I really could get up the gumption. I decided I would walk up a storm in town instead.
As I wandered up and down the crooked streets noticing that most of the stores were shut. I frowned at my own negligence to remember that here they observe siesta. As I glanced at the hours of operation pasted on the window, most were indeed closed from 130-430pm, exactly the time allotment I had left for myself. I guessed it wasn’t too bad of a situation as I really wasn’t there to shop anyway. Still, I like to have the option.
I proceeded to go on my merry little way snapping photos of statues here and buildings there. It was a little annoying to have to manuver around the trash heaps piled up on every block. Some were taller than me and boy did they stink! They say that scent memory recall is extremely powerful and I had a vague recollection of a stench very familiar.
I observed the countless piles of doggie doo-doo carelessly left behind on the sidewalks. Last time I had turn on my turd-alert I was living in Argentina. I began noticing that the signage, the locals, the architecture, and even the flora struck a chord very close to home. I realized that this port city of almost 300,000 was reminiscent of Buenos Aires in so many ways.
I swallowed my sentimentality and trudged up the steeply inclined cobblestone streets trying to stay present. It was slightly difficult not to allow myself to be flashed back to my life back in South America several years ago.
Drunk with nostalgia, I got lost on Av Camelias. I ambled up Gran Via and past Praza de Espana into El Castro. This fortress is surrounded by a lush peaceful park filled with hundreds of kinds of trees and flowers. After stopping briefly to take in the stunning view of the bay where our ship was docked, I hurried back down through the steep snaky roads to get back on board.
Throughout the day, I had stopped in every little fruit stand and supermarket I could find to look for cherimoyas. Only one store had three and they were almost rotten, bruised beyond edibility. I had almost given up on finding my delicacy until the very last minute when I discovered one very perfect cherimoya just waiting for me. Yum.
Grateful for nostalgia.
After hauling my prizes back to my room (not an easy task when most of it is carved fishbone and soapstone), I laid out my paintings to dry. I had a short visit with the gang who were congregating in my room. After a short time, I had to politely ask for some space and quiet as I had to get my “write” on. After such a wonderful day, I had so much to say. The inspiration was oozing out of me like cream from an overfilled chocolate éclair. Oh yeah, I went and got snacks and coffee to give me some sustenance then I was off like a bullet. Continue Reading…
Tuesday morning I woke quite early to the sound of the captain over the intercom system out in the hallway. I deciphered something about tenders heading into Belize City and then stopped listening. I know this drill all too well. When you go into a port on a cruise ship, there are two options. One is driving right up to the port and passengers debarking off a gangway. The other option is getting onto little speed boats called tenders that shuttle you into the dock. Continue Reading…
After getting back from the tender, I decided to try and have a little nap. I called all the others to remind them that we had tickets to the ice skating show at 7pm. We all met up in the hallway and then made our way to the bottom level where the ice skating rink is located. I know it sounds strange to have a giant slab of ice on a boat that is plowing through the Caribbean. But hey, whatever floats your boat, right? I chose this ship purposely because of the ice skating rink and rock climbing wall. Continue Reading…
After a yummy dinner with the gang, Audrianna and I decided to go for a few drinks. We wandered about here and there but nowhere was really catching our interest. The English-style pub was too dark and the sports bar was too boring. The Latino bar was too loud and the piano bar was full of oldies. Continue Reading…
Well, that’s it. I am in transit waiting for my flight to Toronto. I left BsAs a couple hours ago and have managed to get really sick between now and then. I am exhausted and my tummy is a mess. Hopefully I can sleep a bit tonight.
I cant think very well at all. I have taken it easy over the past few days mostly spending my energies packing and cleaning up last minute stuff. The goodbyes were really hard but not the end of the world. I finally made amends with Max after 3 months of estrangement, Continue Reading…
I am in serious trouble. I cannot pack. It`s like trying to fit an elephant through a rabbit hole. Its not so much that I have way too much stuff. Yes, I have accumulated but I am prioritizing very quickly. I will be leaving a lot of unusefuls and has beens and even some treasures, just to make sure I have something to come back for. More so the problem here is the fact that I am going. Moving. There is a strange familiar tingling which has been making its way into my brain every now and then. Continue Reading…
Whoa. It`s all happening so fast. I took Cookie to the country to live with Antonella and her hubby. It was really special because I had never been to her house before. I only had minimal tear-age when saying goodbye to my kitty because I know what good hands she is in. I finally moved and settled everything at my last apartment which was a huge relief. Its amazing how different places have different energies and how they can affect you. I had all my last classes this week and I was moved by their sentiments. I promised them I would be back one day and that they had better practice while I am gone. There is nothing more rewarding to a teacher than seeing their students succeed. Continue Reading…
The other day, I went out for a nice dinner with friends. While we were eating someone was having a birthday and the entire restaurant proceeded to sing clap hoot and holler (ALL the men generally drooling like love sick puppies) along with the stunning musician/singer. This went on for at least 20 minutes and they even sang La Bamba which I could also sing along to. It was a wonderful feeling and I thought about this special kind of charisma that I would miss back home.
Continue Reading…
Went out last night with a couple of friends. Small privater party. Felt more at home than in the big clubs. Infact i laid on the couch practically the whole time. It was nice. No real pressure. Good music cept for the middle dj which isn’t it always the case? I stayed there long after my friends left. just reviewing all that i have done. kinda going through country by country. faces pop up. situations. there is sooooo much. i am so lucky. i didn’t smoke or drink so that was good girl behavior. Continue Reading…
