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Published: August 27th 2014
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It was our last few hours in Haiti. Four am wake up call, 430am moto ride up to the normally one hour trek uphill- it wasn't a smooth ride. In fact, there was nothing smooth about it. Someone had the bright idea of loading 3 passengers on a small bike. Hint- it wasnt me. I held on as if I was going to die. Frankly, if I let go, I would definitely get hurt. In this instance, we were lucky no one was seriously injured. I decided to walk the rest of the way as they picked up our bags and Ed. Luis had already ascended on another moto. Claude drove us to the airport. The brothers Aldaco missed their flight, so they were put on standby. They were able to get seats on my flight five hours later. I was glad to be so early.
We met at a restaurant in Miami airport, had our last meal and drinks together. As usual, Ed was generous enough to pay the bill. I was very thankful for his companionship, mentorship, and friendship. Luis wasn't as negative as usual. Or maybe, I just didn't let him affect the trip. A final shot
of Patron from the bar was actually a double at the behest of three young ladies. After all, it was only $3 more. I boarded my flight without incident and dozed on and off during the short flight to Panama City. My pre-arranged driver, Marc Anthony, met me out front and drove me to my hostel, a three story house on a quiet street near the local airport I was to fly out of at 7am the following morning. Sleep tonight would be a luxury. Panama City is quite beautiful and very developed. It reminded me of the many high rise filled cities on the States.
At the hostel, I chatted with Matt from London and Kelsey from Washington. Because the beers were so cheap, I decided to let them flow as we chatted. We talked well into the early morning before deciding to goto bed at 230am. I would be up a couple hours later. Kelsey and I exchanged info and made some loose plans to meet up when I arrived back. She had been there for a bit and knew the sights. I said my goodnights, woke up at 5, and headed to the airport.
I
was exhausted but excited to have the opportunity to surf, meditate and exercise. After procuring my bag, I walked from the airport into town. I read that the main drag was but a brief walk from the airport. While everyone boarded taxis, I ignored the drivers and walked into town. I led some randoms from NYC to town center. It was about 8am and movement in town was slow. I stopped at one hostel that I read about online. Because internet was down, they wouldn't know of availability until 11. I sat for twenty minutes in the lounge before deciding to find another spot. Not a few minutes walk away, I found a bright clean room for $13. I waited in the lobby for two hours until check in time. It was well worth it. I figured it best to nap for a couple of hours before exploring.
Surfing was on my mind, so I headed to Mono Loco Surf School. I was disappointed to learn that it was closed until Nov. The waves were just too flat. Briefly frustrated, I chatted up the three ladies at the front desk. I told them that mediation,yoga, and exercise was also
a goal during my stay. They gave me info on a local yoga teacher, and also directions to an outdoor exercise area. I was grateful. After chatting a bit longer, I had to formulate a new plan.
I decided to stay, but hop to a different part of Bocas, Red Frog Beach. It was on a different island, calm, peaceful, and away from the party scene. I would partake in this scene just one night. The next day would find me somewhere I wanted to be. I forgot what traveling alone was like. It was freedom. My past few international trips, I was accompanied by girlfriends or friends. There was a different freedom traveling alone. It's not as if my accompanied trips felt fettered. On the contrary, I was lucky enough to travel with those that allowed me to take the lead. But traveling alone, I had no choice but to retreat into myself when I wanted aloneness, or befriend strangers when I wanted to be social. My usually gregarious nature was hidden on this trip. I was ready to be alone. Perhaps it was reading Osho that provided this impetus.
The written words just haven't been flowing
as freely these past few days. I'm not sure what's up. I feel a re-centering is in order. The plan is to take yoga in a few hours and chat with the instructor. Im here to do some research after all. I plan to take clients on a fitness/meditation retreat next year. Bocas is one of the candidates. I think it is a good choice so far. I'll figure it out as I go along my path.
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