Take me (thank you, Hubbs of 25 years) to what’s ranked as the most gorgeous beach in the world Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos, let me snorkel in Grand Turk and Salt Cay, ranked as a top destination for visiting underwater life, and yet meeting and getting to know new people, from clients in Dallas, Texas to those dropping into Providenciales from all over the world, still ranks as my favorite thing to do.
Don’t get me wrong, each and every one of my senses was in super overdrive the entire time I was islanding. There was the smell of blackened Grouper and the taste of salty water. The sites of the Atlantic Ocean depths in incredibly blue hues as well as watching the life which lives within those waters were almost more than I could absorb. And the feel of powder-soft sand between my toes and an Upside-down Jellyfish (Cassiopia ) pulsating in my hand triggered my sense of touch (thank you, Duncan with Big Blue Collective) in a way I will not soon forget. My favorite sound on the island was the silence, but I also appreciated hearing the water hit the shore and native children’s squeals of delight as they ran toward a beach birthday party.
Side note: best island song ever, is Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” You’re welcome!
It was my sixth sense that I appreciated the most. Extra sensory perception allows me to get to know people on a very deep, yet fun and loving level. I met a Haitian artist Myglite whose smile is infectious, Bertha with Bertha’s Crafts & Souvenirs who is still recovering from the forces of Hurricane Irma more than a year ago, Delroy the grandson of Grandma’s Boy Catering who made me an over-the-top strong, yet still delicious drink, and Little Miss A who I danced the night away with at the weekly fish fry . After admitting to a four-year-old’s family that I Paparazzied their son who took the in-flight instructions very seriously, we became friends with them, too. And even the grouchy fisherman filleting Parrot Fish was worth getting to know. As my little gift back to my new friends, I took quick images of them. Or, some requested that I hop in the photo, in which case, played the photographer. They appreciated the opportunity, after all it’s a compliment when someone wants a portrait of you.
My husband Michael and I enjoyed a plethora of island activities while celebrating our life together. However, that he, too, enjoyed getting to know these islanders and vacationers, fills my heart with absolute joy. I didn’t marry Michael thinking I could or even wanted to change him, but after a quarter of a century we grow more alike. Sometimes that can be a bit frightening… but I’ve always had this secret wish that he’d find beauty in strangers. In the past few years, my little wish is coming true. Oh yeah, and now he likes to dance!! What? I would have never seen that one coming!! Hmmmm… maybe I should try a little harder to grant his not-so-secret wish and start picking up after myself.
0 Comments