Let’s go!

Do you ever sleep so deeply, a dream feels so real that your body feels the sensation?

I dreamt my head slammed against the car dashboard the other night; in another dream, a paper clip was wedged inside my finger. Aside from analyzing the symbolism behind both semi-violent dreams, the truth is, my body felt twinges of pain in both dreams.

I’ve had dreams where I’m laughing so hard, my laughter in real life wakes me up. Those are the best dreams, because the body seems to feel joy even with subconscious imagination.

We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.

— Jonathan Gottschall

Earlier this month, I dreamt about my aunt. I was hugging and hugging her. The tightest squeeze, I was a kid again not willing to let go. It felt so real; it reminded me of my aunt, her love of travel and her love of experiencing life.

So why all this chatter about dreams and sadness and happiness?

If you noticed the photo to this post: I’m onto the next destination for my solo travel adventures!

I’m ready to feel like I did floating in the ocean in Costa Rica again. Weightless, liberated and free. And I’m ready to feel more connected with myself and with a part of my late aunt I love and miss so much.

So, to spoil the question: I’m not going back to Costa Rica for my next solo international travel. Although, I suspect I’ll return someday soon.

It’s time to take a break from New York City bustle and travel again. While there were too many countries on my list to choose from, I wanted a “simple” trip. I wanted to jet off for 4 days to a warm spot that would also allow me to explore on my own.

For the next week, I’ll begin posting my travel writing and reflections from my trip to Bermuda.

I actually booked the flight somewhat on a whim after one of my co-workers showed me photos from his family trip.

I feel a little embarrassed to admit I must have been geographically challenged, but I had NO idea Bermuda was just a 90-minute flight out of New York’s JFK airport. I was easily convinced after my co-worker mapped out possibilities for the island itinerary.

I booked my tickets about a month before my flight. The round-trip tickets from New York to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) was about $345 USD, total.

Technically, it’s going to take me a longer time to get to JFK than to get to Bermuda, which is a weird concept. Actually, it takes me just as long to get to Brooklyn by subway as it would to get to Bermuda by plane. I don’t know why this is so jarring, but time and distance can be funny.

A few weeks after booking my tickets, I gave my special orchid some water.

I’ve had this orchid for a long time, and she’s been incredibly difficult, but resilient. The two stems with the seven beautiful yellow and pink orchid blossoms died during the summer’s stretch of 80-90 degree weather in New York.

I knew it wouldn’t make it, no matter how much water I tried to give her. I was on the verge of tossing the plant away again, thinking it was hopeless after the stems died.

That was … until I watered the orchid. Watering the orchid has become such a familiar routine, I wasn’t looking closely, barely paying attention.