Don't say it's the last day...

 

Denial is not just a river in Egypt...

This was my last day on Isla; and in fact, my last day of the trip full stop - but I couldn't think about it, I just couldn't.  The last couple of days had taken me through some sort of time warp... it had seemed much longer than that, and yet I was no where near ready to return home.

 

I woke up quite late after the late night of drinking the night before - but once I did wake up, I luckily felt completely fine.  I immediately packed up my things, checked out of my hotel, and headed  back over to my beloved Urban Hostel and all my friends.

 

I dropped my bag against the wall and determined to not look at it or think about it until the last possible moment I could put it off to.

  Instead, I settled in with Gabby, Michael, Tanya, Ryan, and Ben for some quality chilling time for the day.

I left for a bit to make a phone call to Manolo and Erik to arrange for dinner that night, and we agreed I'd head back over to their house around 7:00 that night.  Then I went and picked up some things for lunch, and took them back over to the hostel to share with Ben.

 

What life do I want?

As I walked back to the hostel, I did a lot of thinking, about a lot of things.  On the first evening on the Island, John asked me why I traveled.  I was surprised and a bit bothered at the fact that I wasn't able to give an answer I was fully satisfied with.   Add to that that I was meeting people here everyday that traveled as a lifestyle; they made it happen.

  I knew it was out there, but now I was spending all this time with them, on their turf, and I found I was a bit greedy for it.  I walked through the streets of Isla just wondering if I could pull it off for a while - 3 months, 6 months, whatever.  Pick a time when my apartment lease was over, quit my questionable job, and go.  Never before had it seemed possible, but now, with some planning, some forethought, some saving... maybe?  Also, I HAVE TO LEARN SPANISH.  Right now, immediately, and without delay.  It's just that simple.  What have I been waiting for??  What excuse have I been giving myself?  Before, I always told myself I couldn't "hack" that lifestyle, even for a while - a short, regular vacation was all I had in me... but walking through the small dusty streets that John said were so upscale compared to what was out there, I knew I wanted to see it for myself, on a longer term basis.    I think I could be a wanderer if I planned it right ahead, and really put my finances in order - and what better motivation to fix your financial outlook?

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Ryan's computer, I was able to do a bit of updating on my blog, and then knew the time was coming that I was getting near to my final goodbyes.  I didn't want to leave, I just wanted to stay, sitting with Ryan and Ben talking about nothing forever - or at least a lot longer than this.

Fair thee well, Urban Hostel.

A couple new travelers came to check into the hostel, and as they were getting their lay of the land and who everyone was, I ended up clarifing for them:

 "I don't really stay here; I just wake up, come over and spend all day"

I guess this was a good enough opening for Ben to give me some trouble, so he turned to Ryan, and said,

"Yeah Ryan, we need to figure out something to do about these freeloaders.

"

I acted hurt.  "I TRIED to help" I pointed out... "I ran the place the other day..."

"You did a good job." Ben replied.

"Well, I didn't really do anything" I pointed out.

"Neither does Ryan."  He retorted.

"And I brought you free food!" 

"Lady, I don't want you to leave - and it's not about free food!" 

(I felt a little glow start inside)

"Well" he amended quickly, "It's not ALL about free food..."

I love these guys.  So much.  I know I'll see Ryan again here in the states, but for reasons I won't go into, I think that won't be happening with Ben - so.... since I know Ryan will be showing this to Ben over his shoulder....

Ben know this - when you settle in a new spot in the next couple years, somewhere interesting and different, let me know where you are, and that will be a fantastic excuse for me to come try out that new location.

  Until then, I'll look forward to that time my friend.

So with that, I gathered my bag, kissed everyone goodbye, headed to the ferry, and left my beloved Isla.