"See Ya Later" Sayulita... Nov 10,2018

Suri is programmed to be helpful but as a gal who often chooses to dictate to her phone over typing Suri has been known to steer me wrong on numerous occasion. "I am so sorry" is "Surified" to "I am so dirty"... of course add to that, I regularly fail to wear my progressive glasses and whala... it is not uncommon for a new client to receive a what was originally a common Canadian phrase... (we are sorry a lot for nothing but it is the polite thing to say) to Hello, I am so dirty. Friends that know me are used to interpreting my interesting texts. Clients... remain "Canadian Polite" and do not say a word. Back to Suri... She has decided that Sayulita is better typed as "See Ya Later". Even Suri has figured out there is truth to this interpretation... many people visit Sayuilta only to return and many return to stay, even for a month, 6 months or longer. This has been my experience with the fellow solo travellers I have met on this trip. Perhaps it is the natural nature of the Yogis, Surfers and Meditators carefree and fancy free to travelling alone? These people were not always like this... a Journalist, a PR writer for Fortune 500 Companies, a San Francisco Tech Company owner, a Software Engineer... All embracing a time for solo travel in their lives. It is inspiring to me. Each of these individuals with their own unique story to tell... if you actually listen, ask questions and care.

It is human nature for people to gravitate towards "like"~ there is a sense of comfort in meeting someone you can relate to on some immediate level~ at first aesthetically as that is where we always begin~ then emotionally as common interests evolve from discussion. That is what makes us feel connected and that "we fit in". When we see people we naturally form first impressions, judgements based on our stories and experiences, then if we get to know them we may be surprised that someone is not what they appeared to be. That is what I am taking with me from this Solo adventure... Less judgment and more curiosity of myself and of others.

Today I woke up with a headache~ I failed to gulp down my litre of gatorade upon returning to my casa last night. Gatorade is not something I drink but in Sayulita it is the quickest and safest way to stay hydrated. A few litres of gatorade a day has keeps the headaches away... I missed yoga this morning as a result. Sayulita this time of year is hot and humid. My skin has a constant glow of sweat down my back and on my brow. The two circling fans at my bedside at night do little to cool the air. The weather will be turning in the next few weeks as Sayulita moves towards their winter and drier months. 2 Litres of gatorade, one orange, one blue and I pack my small bag to check out of my casa. Paraiso has been a wonderful experience. As their first guest of the season I was treated with so much kindness and have formed true friendships. These ladies that have come to call Sayuilta their home (for now) have come from Bali, India, San Francisco, Holland... to share their knowledge and yoga experiences with tourists and locals alike. Paraiso offers regular community classes of which all they ask is a small donation. Another program is to aid in beach clean up~ bring in a cup of garbage off the beach... beer tops, wrappers etc. they will offer a FREE class. The donations are being used to buy the local school yoga mats so they can offer yoga to the kids. It is their way of giving back to the community. In less than a week I have been made to feel like one of their own and I am so grateful for the experience. To think I had contemplated my initial thought of jumping ship to find a room with a view! Another lesson... things are not always how they first appear... Paraiso was a highlight of my trip.

Today I decide to have breakfast at DonPedros. It is a beach side restaurant that has an air of affluence in comparison to surrounding cafes I usually frequent. I check the menu~ pricey for Sayulita but the shade, white shirted waiters and the smaller tables overlooking the beach my pounding head cannot ignore. I order a coffee and orange juice and look over the menu to make my choice. There are western styles breakfast options... Salmon & Cream cheese bagels, Eggs and bacon, Oatmeal and blueberries ... I decide while in Sayulita eat in Sayulita. I order the Chefs Special- Burrito style~ egg, brown beans, feta cheese, lime. It is tasty and large enough to feed two of me. It is time to walk to the beach.

I take my regular spot amongst the rocks on the far side of Las Muertos. I will miss this tranquil, beautiful place. No selfies today. I am "selfied" out. Been there done that, got the selfie T shirt. The sun has a lot of heat in it today and I find myself in the ocean for most of the day. I wonder what it would be like to live here for "part of the year". Could that be an option once my daughter is in University? Financially is it feasible? How would I coordinate my career? These are daunting questions... At 47 what do the next 5 years, 10 years look like? I have a great life~ I have worked hard to build my life in Comox. I will be an empty nester in a couple of years and I wonder what that will look like? I remember my compass and let all of these thoughts go. One day at a time. For today all I need to do is remain as still as I can on the ocean surface and listen to the sand move beneath me.

I arrive at the airport early~ the ride on the bus has been another adventure. Suitcase balanced on my lap the bus makes frequent stops today~ it remains full. A young man jumps on with a boom box and takes his place directly standingabove me. Loud Mexican rap music for 20 minutes~ I politely try to cover my ears and consider paying him in hopes he moves to the back of the bus. The airport is a scurry of activity~ taxis, tour guides, rentals. I navigate through the lineups of pale gringos, wheel chairs, strollers and giant suitcases and enter the air conditioned airport. It is modern, clean and a reminder of the culture I am returning home too. I have 3 hours... too long to sit in here~ I check my solo bag in this time so I can explore the airport vicinity. I am on the search for Mambas , a mexican candy my daughter has requested that I have not yet found. I turn left at the airport, another left, right over the walk way and down the stairs... No mambas here but a busy taco restaurant tucked under the walk way. There are two men cooking prawns on a grill and I take a seat inside. It is a small restaurant and busy.

"Table for one please"... the menu is written on the wall and I order "something with those prawns they are cooking". My waiter asks if I want a Pepsi and I hear myself saying "Yes, Gracias" I have not had pop in years... I don't like the way it slimes over my teeth and fizzles in my nose. Today I enjoy the slimy, fizzing experience over ice cubes. The burrito and fixings arrive~ Big juicy prawns are falling out of the top~ I squeeze fresh lime and add some pickled carrots~ it is a meal to remember. I will be back!

The flight home is one of the first direct flights of the season to return to Comox. It is half full and I have a seat in 4B (one row back from Executive Class)~ my seat is wider, lots of leg room and the perks of Executive spill over for my benefit. Not quite the same "Back of the Plane Experience" I appreciated in humour on the way out. Perspective right?

Coming home feels good~ seeing my Daughter, her Dad and my chubby golden retriever feels good. My bed feels good~ the coolness of my sheets and the firmness of my mattress. I wake up to the sun rising. See Ya Later Sayulita... I am home for now...