As if I’ve
never left; that’s how it felt, sitting in one of the comfy seats in the
Fragata piano bar of the Monarch cruiser again. Some of the crew members
recognize me from a few months ago and make me feel extra at home, which puts
me even more in a cheesy, slightly melancholic mood. Especially today, as I realize
that the next part of my unbelievably fortunate travel (and a little bit of
work) lifestyle is actually happening again!
Old-school full agenda
To say that my Dutch summer break was slightly
packed, is somewhat of an understatement. Catching up with mi familia and home
boys and girls was unbelievably good. Them going out of their way to see me regardless
of their busy work and family schedules was so sweet. Getting so much love and
acceptance for my choice to live slightly different and far away from all of
them, leaves me with nothing but an extremely thankful glow for my friends being
such loyal friends. No matter how far or how long I’m gone, they prove to be there
no matter what. And regardless of how many months it has been, it always feels
like yesterday.
Indian Summer in Portugal
The break
was also a bit of a work trip. I almost forgot what it was like to work more
than 40 hours in an office and trying to keep an intensive social calendar ‘on
the side’. Even though it was good fun with cool colleagues, it wasn’t hard to
say goodbye to that rhythm after a few weeks. I stepped out of the office as if
I had wings and flew back into the great, wide open of Portugal, spending
Indian summer with existing friends and new additions to the book of Wonderful
People I know, before setting sail to Latin America again.
So while
Lisbon gets smaller and smaller, a ‘see you later’ whispered into the air and
taken by the wind, the butterflies inside my belly are getting outrageously
excited. But first I’m happy to glide into me-time mode and cherishing the
silence of the seemingly never ending ocean. For as long as it will last.
Experience tells me that interesting people and experiences never wait too long
to show themselves to me.
