Wherever I Am Is My Home

It is always our own self that we find at the end of the journey. The sooner we face that self, the better. - Ella Maillart

Take 9 days, throw yourself into a hostel in Costa Rica, Watch the people as the buses come into town, look at the backpackers coming through the door, the 4x4s parked by the hostel; watch them as they take in the atmosphere, become to unwind from the day or days of travel. Feel their relief in finding the next port in their journey, Watch them as they acclimate to the new surroundings.

Smile at them, say hi in many languages. As they relax, they unburden themselves of their current worldly possessions, receive friendly info on the area from the staff and owners, see them relax more and then think about what to do.

Listen to Bruno Mars, salsa, rock, pop, Santana, a variety of wonderful music in the background.

Feel the sun hitting the porch, watch the town awake, people going to and from ,working, laughing, saying hi. Watching the new arrivals venturing out. Pet the dogs and the cats. Listen to the wind.

Smell the meals as they are prepared, a melange of aromas, gallo pinto, pasta, grilled vegetables, hearing the symphony of knives cutting the fresh fruits of the country. Listen to the travellers introducing themselves. 

Where are you from? How long are you here for? How long are you traveling? Where are you going? Where have you been? 

Then, if a connection is made, the opening begins. The sharing. Not anything so crass as how can you afford it, or judgemental as to decisions made by one life. But questions to find out what brought them to this place at this time. Kids before University, after school before work, on an extended vacation, on a worldwide trip, on a journey to see Central America, on a sabbatical, a walkabout, a bike trip, an escape, a reward for a job well done, a sharing, an adventure.

Soon enough, an exploration of similarity. Embracing differences, learning about cultures different than your own, posing questions. Do the Dutch hate the Germans? Why is Slovakia poorer than Czech? Hockey? What is applied physics? How much water do I have to drink in a hot climate in a day? How can Rush be the favourite band of a Brazilian? How can you be Panamanian and American when one parent is Columbian? What’s it like to be the only woman inspector on the San Francisco cable cars? How does the Swedish health system work? What’s going to happen in Europe? America? Is it really that cold in Canada? What sports do you guys do in school? What did you do to help your kids be so wonderful? Why that style of art? What is an Earth Star?

Watching the new people get into their groove, laughing, becoming part of this transitory community, all of us searching for knowledge, excitement, knowing. Gathering in like-minded groups, yet open to later arrivals, willing to include the individual, joining together. Planning excursions together; from something around the corner to going to another country together, all based on intuition and trust and openness.

In my case, and I don’t know why, I am meeting people for an additional reason.

They are giving me gifts. Earth shattering gifts. Mind numbing gifts.  

My new friends are telling me their stories. They are opening their hearts. I am so grateful that they are trusting me to hold them in high esteem, to open themselves to tell their truths. They are showing themselves to me in a way that makes them emotional, and as I do the same, we realize that we have met in this place at this time because it is fated. Fated because we are on a journey that requires this crossroads, perhaps to support or galvanize or prod or to just recognize and appreciate. 

And they listen to me, and support me and listen to my life and my plan for the next four years, and they approve. And I am totally at peace with my choices, and this makes me open my heart to them even more.

We recognize that there is not one correct way to live this life on Earth and I am so pleased that they chose to come to my current home. 

 

To talk of options and filter though choices together, to gather enough mutual respect to move forward in the directions that we have chosen and to do so withour rancor and judgement and misunderstanding.

We revel in our lives, and the genuineness of these wonderful people shine through.

I have known (but not accepted until now) that the one thing that keeps me young and makes me happy, truly happy, is when I am being true to myself and when I am talking to someone about their dreams.

The split second that I see the spark in the eyes of the person that I am talking to – when something I say helps them resonate with their true self, when a kind word or an intuitive statement causes them to re-evaluate or when a hug or a look and an affirmation about their lifepath comes across, is when I am blissful.

I have been given a gift. I have been entrusted to help reveal and nurture and grow and even facilitate the dreams of others. I embrace this gift.

And in turn, I give them who I am, what I know and whatever I have to help them in this crossroads. Perhaps as life passes by, we will continue to be known to each other, perhaps to meet again or open our homes to each. I hope so, for this ‘Intentional Transitoryness’ (TM Mellissa deOlivera 2011) is some deep shit.

What then occurs, as we share and walk and cook and eat and drink and laugh and actually cry together, as we learn of each other’s lives and hopes and dreams, we are bonded.

And I am so thankful.

Perhaps when my home find itself in Sweden or Holland or Costa Rica or Chicago or California or Washington or Zurich or Rio or about 27 places in Germany, I have a place to stay and more importantly, I have someone to talk to that I have shared my life with.

The sadness and bucolic times begin when they think of moving on. It seems that those that I wish to stay seem to extend their days in Monteverde, for which I am so happy.  So I get one more day. But then they leave. With a tear in my eyes and in theirs, with a crushing hug, a kiss and pat on the back, I say goodbye.

And I sit down and reflect. I remember my old friends in Canada. I wish they could meet my new friends. I miss you all.

And then I just wait for the bus to come, so I can meet the next people that are meant to cross my path and help me learn about myself and the world.

I am so appreciative.

I have a great life.

 These photos are from long ago, in Manuel Antonio and Quepos.