The weekend passed quickly as they always seem to do. The temperatures have been up, and summer seems to be in full swing with a onslaught of tourists pouring into my area every weekend making use of the beaches, the lake and the roads. Yesterday I was enjoying a relaxing day at home when we received a call that some good friends of ours would be passing through the area on their way home from Muskoka.
We were not prepared for company and had already started smoking a rack of ribs, but as always, the door is always open and the light always on. I had wanted to get a bit of writing done, and possibly work on a painting I had been blocking out, but to turn down friends on the road is bad form. I'm glad I didn't listen to my inner organizer screaming about my uncompleted task list. I love seeing Julie & Aaron. Although our lives have been running on opposite roads as of late, there is something to be said for someone who can walk back in and literally it feels as if no time has passed. This describes how I feel when I am spending time with Julie. Within 5 minutes of their arrival laughter was the music in the air and it carried on until fairly late in the evening. No we were not prepared to put on a meal like I normally like to do for company, but we all made due with what we had and a great meal was shared and even Aaron who has a strong dislike for pork tried Jason's smoky ribs. Which all of us decided were the best ribs in Simcoe County and he could have easily won the RibFest taking place in Barrie at the same time. Of course my list sat undone, and I'm okay with that, it can wait for awhile. The time with good friends, sharing a delicious meal, laughing so hard that my sides hurt. That is what summer is about. The rest can wait.
Slow down, enjoy a laugh, enjoy some good food. Some of the keys for a good life I believe.
J.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
An Adventure Is What I Need!
After spending a delightful week in Havana I have come to the realization that I can no longer visit all the people I need to while I am there in a one week time span. Each trip I stretch myself a bit further, make new friends. Each trip is better than the last. The Cubans that I have become close with have dubbed me as Cubana and I fit in. As the hour of my departure came, I almost did not board the plane. I was on the phone outside the airport discussing the option of changing my flight with my APS (BFF in Spanish). In the end we decided I should get on the plane, we had already said goodbye, and delaying departure for 3 days, to endure the same upset again hardly seemed worth it. It planted a seed in my mind though.
As a Canadian I can stay in Cuba on a tourist visa for a maximum of 90 Days. What if I didn't come home after my normal 7-10 day stay? What if I stayed for 2, or 3 or even . . . 4 weeks?
When I was a teenager and deciding to have a career in Tourism my dream/plan was to work for the wholesalers as a destination rep. I wanted to live abroad. I studied my Spanish, I did my Geography. I got my diploma from Humber in Travel & Tourism and then the industry changed. Destination reps became locals, they were no longer having Canadians in destination to assist the passengers. I resigned myself it wasn't happening and I took a job at a Travel Agency. 15 Years has passed.
Why couldn't I stay for 30 days in Havana? I have a support network there in case "things go horribly wrong", I speak the language, I understand and have become quite accustomed to shortages, and making due with rice when you really had your heart set on Chicken . . . Could I do it? Quite possibly.
I have started planning my 30 day adventure. I am in the beginning of searching for accommodation. I plan on taking an apartment (not a villa like March), I will need a full kitchen. AC is not necessary, but appreciated. I want to be outside of Habana Vieja/Vedado and maybe in Santa Fe. I will have to be able to walk or take buses to the grocery store. I will live like a Cuban (but with Refrescos) for 30 days. I am not set on a date yet, I have to arrange a 30 Day Leave of Absence from the office, and plan this and earn the money to do it. It's a plan though. It may be 15 years later, and may only be for 30 days . . . but I'm doing it. My Mother has confirmed she thinks it's a bad idea . . . which lets me know it's BRILLIANT!
My "APS" only had one concern "What will you do?" ha ha ha when have I ever had a problem passing time, between my writing, my "doodling" and day dreaming . . . I'm sure 30 days will go quickly and I could always busk I guess LOL or do caricatures in the streets . . . normal Cuban activities. Kidding Kidding.
Time to leave Oro Station behind for a few weeks and see what finds me.
Here's to 30 days off the grid!
As a Canadian I can stay in Cuba on a tourist visa for a maximum of 90 Days. What if I didn't come home after my normal 7-10 day stay? What if I stayed for 2, or 3 or even . . . 4 weeks?
When I was a teenager and deciding to have a career in Tourism my dream/plan was to work for the wholesalers as a destination rep. I wanted to live abroad. I studied my Spanish, I did my Geography. I got my diploma from Humber in Travel & Tourism and then the industry changed. Destination reps became locals, they were no longer having Canadians in destination to assist the passengers. I resigned myself it wasn't happening and I took a job at a Travel Agency. 15 Years has passed.
Why couldn't I stay for 30 days in Havana? I have a support network there in case "things go horribly wrong", I speak the language, I understand and have become quite accustomed to shortages, and making due with rice when you really had your heart set on Chicken . . . Could I do it? Quite possibly.
I have started planning my 30 day adventure. I am in the beginning of searching for accommodation. I plan on taking an apartment (not a villa like March), I will need a full kitchen. AC is not necessary, but appreciated. I want to be outside of Habana Vieja/Vedado and maybe in Santa Fe. I will have to be able to walk or take buses to the grocery store. I will live like a Cuban (but with Refrescos) for 30 days. I am not set on a date yet, I have to arrange a 30 Day Leave of Absence from the office, and plan this and earn the money to do it. It's a plan though. It may be 15 years later, and may only be for 30 days . . . but I'm doing it. My Mother has confirmed she thinks it's a bad idea . . . which lets me know it's BRILLIANT!
My "APS" only had one concern "What will you do?" ha ha ha when have I ever had a problem passing time, between my writing, my "doodling" and day dreaming . . . I'm sure 30 days will go quickly and I could always busk I guess LOL or do caricatures in the streets . . . normal Cuban activities. Kidding Kidding.
Time to leave Oro Station behind for a few weeks and see what finds me.
Here's to 30 days off the grid!
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