May 7th
My whole body shakes as I sit alone in the deserted airport for the 11:55 p.m. flight to St. Thomas. I feel anxious, scared, excited, and just plain sick to my stomach. Part of that might be the pain from my amazing going away party last night. After a whole day and a shower, I can still smell the lingering aroma of whisky and tequila.
Saying good-bye to my dog was the first time I have cried in this whole experience. It finally hit me that this is real and that I am leaving. He sleeps with me every night so sleeping alone will take some getting used to. This will be the longest I have ever been apart form him.
Saying good-bye to my parents was another emotionally exhausting experience. Their love and support throughout this whole thing has been amazing, especially my mother because I know how badly she does not want me to go. At least on this trip we know about skype. Maybe it will ease the pain of missing them so much.
I have no idea at this point what my future holds. It is the most amazing feeling ever. Tomorrow I will wake up in the Caribbean where I will be living with Alex on a yacht. My whole face grinned as I wrote that sentence. Ear to ear.
Strangely at this moment ,the feeling that I am totally alone emanates above the rest. A feeling I am sure will fade as soon as I see Alex. Then it will probably be a feeling I will soon long for. Haha. It is so strange to be here. I have been planning this trip since last September so it has never been real until this moment. They are calling me to board. Here I go!!!!!!!
May 8th
I am finally here! I have arrived. My stomach aches for home cooking after 12 hours of being stuck in the airport. As I wait for my ferry to Tortola, I spot a tiny shack across the populated road. My clothes stick to my body from the humidity as I make my way. I pull up a stool at a deserted bar and restaurant, unlike the road I crossed to get here. The air is filled with the sounds of chickens that roam free among the streets.
I order a breakfast sandwich as my arms fall across the broken, stained, and sticky counter. A wonderful man with a very strong stutter and equally loud outfit brings me a bottle of water. He smiles exposing his jagged and few teeth. I feel happy.
Note: my sandwich came with eggs, ham, cheese, and cucumber. It was such a pleasant surprise. They grow them here so I will come to learn that they are on everything. This is a secret I am taking home with me, it is amazing!!!
I finally make it to Alex after a ferry and what I could only assume they call a taxi ride. The roads are narrow and windy and the cars are tall and skinny. I feared for my life as the taxi rounded each turn until the moment I arrived at the docs. Where Alex is staying is amazing and the people are all really nice. It is Mark (or MAAK as he would say in his Australian accent) birthday so right when I get here the party begins. Mark turns 22 today and is a student with Alex. They are in the same program to become dive instructors for scuba diving. He left his job for a year to come and do this experience.
I sleep sounds tonight as I have been up for 3 days now partying and traveling. It is weird sleeping on a bed that is rocking with the waves, but finally it becomes soothing and rocks me to sleep.
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