Jamaica Jamaica, A Forever Love

I am finally getting around to posting about my trip this summer to Jamaica.. Maybe nostalgia, as the fall air creeps in here on the east coast. Boot season has made its appearance.. Ahhhhh the time of sweaters, scarves, fireplaces, and hot organic tea. I love fall, but even more so, I love the feel on the sun against my skin, and JAMAICA. My trip to Jamaica was so fulfilling and more than I could ever ask for. Though time felt limited, and very busy considering the retreat group, there were without a doubt, many moments of bliss.

From the time I stepped off the plane, the air consumed me, intoxicated, it filled my lungs and said, welcome to this sweet sweet land. In almost an instant, dewy skin engrossed me, and warmness filled me. Although surrounded by many, a feeling of sweet soul euphoria took over. I was here. Jamaica. It had been years since I travelled off US soil, and it was long overdue.

Our group gathered their things.. we were finally on our way to Ms. B’s retreat spot in the mountains. As I begin to take you on this journey with me im realizing there were so many highlights to this trip and that simply typing the whole experience would 1. almost instantly be a book and 2. be just way to much to express. So hopefully throughout the rest of the year I can post on snippets of my travel experience to the Caribbean. I cut you off didnt I? Sorry.. the story was just getting on a roll haha.  I will say, it was far from touristy, and thats the way it was intended. A wholistic health retreat! The best moments for me were the little ones.. 3 in particular that I will discuss in coming posts and many other stories and experiences that personally changed my life.

I will say, I really appreciate and love my sis Mayasa. A loving, caring, amazingly intelligent doer, and dynamic visionary goddess to say the least. So many talents and multifaceted depths and levels… oh and comedian, she’s a walking professional sure to keep your mouth belting with smiles and giggles. Im so thankful for such a wonderful being and divine alignment. This trip to Jamaica all started with a simple statement, “We should go somewhere this year!” and voila.. Not only did we go, but so did 16 other individuals who had the time of their lives and she’s to thank.

First lesson? Speak, act.. watch unfold. Thoughts are important, they precede action. Good or bad. BUT… action is a physical effort that cannot emerge from thought alone. Put 2 together and the magic happens.. Yay for magic?

Well, heres a few pics to hold you over…  As you look, i’d love to know, have you travelled anywhere recently? Domestic or abroad. Where? How was it? Where would you like to go next? I’d love to know..

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Traveling Light: A Post Jamaica Realization + Tips

Hey all? How goes it? Yes, how goes it? Hope you’re having a great summer. My summer has been off to wonderful start, many realizations, great people, readily available fruits, scuba lessons, and a holistic retreat to Jamaica. Actually, its been amazing and it’s getting better everyday. About a week ago I returned from an amazing retreat in the mountains to Jamaica. Now I have a sad confession to make.. I am not a light packer. No matter where I am going, I like to pack for multiple unlikely occasions just to be “safe”. What if there’s a tornado and I need sweatpants? What if there’s a formal occasion in the middle of the tropics? and yea… 20 pairs of panties are always necessary on 5 day trips. These are all slight exaggerations but you can see where my rationale is here. Actually there is none but I did learn something… $25 each way to check luggage that could’ve fit into a carryon was completely unccessary. So here are my 3 tips to optimize your luggage experience.

1: when packing, make a list, then go thru the list and separate the necessaries from from the “ah, but I mights..” (ie. Ah but I might need this wetsuit just in case I swim with whales in alaska.. yeaaaa, NO)

2: Have a trusted person go thru your list a clarify whats not really needed and what is. Often times friends and family offer level headed advice in the midst of packing mayhem.

3: Pick a luggage that is just the right smedium size and stick to it.. If your belongings dont fit in, then reevaluate what is packed, not the size luggage picked.

 

..and there you have it. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Im looking forward to sharing my amazing experience on the next post. 

If you have any tips on packing light, please post them. As a recovering over-packer, i’d love to hear your ideas and solutions.

A Season of Change!!!

Hey guys and gals, I’d first like to say, happy autumn!!! My favorite season has finally arrived and the crisp fresh air brings my lungs great joy as the night rolls around. I LOVE everything fall represents, including change. Now, I must say, I have never been a fan of change, and in my former days (yesterday) squealed at the thought of even changing something as small as decorations. I love familiarness (whoa… thats a word?? Score!! haha) and stability, I guess it makes me feel, eh, secure??

Anyway, i’ve grown. Might be this sort of midlife crisis expanding phase I like to pretend i’m in.. or shall we just call it the mid 20s omg im close to 30 phase. Anyway, i’m so excited for the future and my desire to travel has been itching at my back. My feeling about traveling is the same some my get when they find the last shoe in their size on the rack, or when your football team is going to the super bowl, or you find $5 or even $20 in your pocket you didn’t know was there. Yes, its like that. It fills me! I look forward to filling my passport book with many more stamps before i’m 30. Luckily, I have a few that i’m already proud of from Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, and Australia. Here’s a toast to change!!! 

 

Are you as excited about autumn as I am?? What have you changed that was hard, but now embrace?