Post-Vacation Stress

When you go on a trip, you have so many things to take care of pre good times -  plan the trip, have someone pick up the mail, choose the destination and the itinerary, clean the house (or is that just me?!), get someone to water the plants, etc. = pre-holiday stress

During the trip, you focus on relaxing, seeing cool things, spending time with family/friends/self, forgetting about work, etc. = unstressing

But did you know that there is also post-vacay stress?! You know, showing pictures of the cool places you have seen, sharing gifts and stories, glowing since you relaxed so much, etc. etc. etc. And it seems that people want to see, hear, get everything the soonest possible... = post-vacation stress!

Where has all the patience gone? Remember the days when you had to wait a week or two to get all your pictures back from your favorite pharmacy/development center?! What did you do then?

What I did upon the return of my trip to Kenya is that I chose a few shots to share with my family and colleagues until I prepped the shots for Facebook, photo book, my cube, etc. Ok. 136 aren't a few but you catch my drift...

Take your time to share your experiences on your own time. Breathe. Keep your vacation glow. Remember that most stresses are in your mind but that pre-, during and/or post-vacation strategies help... What's yours?!

The Food Analogies

A while back, during a meeting at work, a colleague explained a concept to me. I am smart (and I have a great sense of imagination) but I didn't get what he tried to explain....

I think that I have been practicing my understanding of abstract things extensively since then (through work and other activities) but at the time, I was starting to train my mind to think that way...

So my colleague was persistent for me to understand what he was explaining so he used food to explain his concept.

And I got it...

Yes I love food and believe that one lives to eat. It is such a pleasure to have various flavors married in a dish that you have never tried... Or to try a new cuisine, dessert, recipe, etc.

I think that I understood because I could relate to what he was trying to say. And I think that is how we must explain matters - in a way for your audience to get it. 

In my case, it was about food, but someone else, it could be sports analogies or animals, nature, fashion, art, etc.

So next you try to explain something to someone, be empathetic! Put yourself in the person's shoes and creatively describe something using an example they can relate to... 

Lounging in Lamu

Sunset in Lamu Aboard Capt. Dolphin's Vessel

While preparing our trip, we wanted to spend a few days relaxing and seeing Kenya prior to the wedding celebrations... (Yes, plural!!! Four in total, actually! And for the record, all were fabulous. More in a later post!). Coming from busy and stressful North American lives, we wanted to chill and get into the Kenyan groove....

So while reading through our guide books and the couple's wedding site, Lamu came up as a destination. With no cars and donkeys to travel on the island, this quaint and small island seemed to be the perfect undiscovered gem for us to start our trip...

The day after we arrived in Nairobi, we took a 12-passenger aircraft in direction of Lamu. I never flew in such a small plane and I was excited... Although once in the plane, I did get nervous while feeling every wind gust and sudden move the pilots made. But at the same time, I don't think I would have ever seen the fabulous views I did so high up in the sky... The plains, trees, settlements, cities, etc. were rolling under us...

Once arrived in Lamu, it was as charming and relaxing as we read. We stayed at JamboHouse, a super affordable hotel operated by Arnold. Once we had the chance to refresh ourselves, he welcomed us with a thirst-quenching glass of juice and informed us of the rules and must-dos of the island - foods at various places, beaches, cruises, etc. It was very nice that he took the time to explain it all...

Our days were mostly filled with trips to Shela beach, a quiet and undiscovered area on the southern part of the island. One day, while we were relaxing, we met a New Yorker on a weekend trip who spoke French! It is a small world...

Our last evening will forever be memorable! We went for a sunset cruise with a captain we met earlier during our stay and the view and experience was breathtaking. After our adrenaline-packed cruise, we had delicious crab, chips and a coconut shake. Yum yum....

In short, Lamu is a very relaxing and pole-pole place that helps you to unwind and enjoy life. And if you are 'game', can have many firsts - riding a donkey, driving or sailing a boat, being in a boat filled with too many people, speaking with people you never met, etc. All it takes is an open mind!

Kenya?!

One day in March, I received an interesting text from a good friend in Montreal. It said: "Call me when you have 5 minutes!" So I called her, thinking something had happened!

This particular friend of mine is excellent at sharing stories... So she set up her story and by the time she was done, asked me if I wanted to accompany her to our AIESEC/University friends' wedding....in Kenya!

Wow! What an offer! How many times does an opportunity like this come along, especially after you secretly asked to be part of such a great event?!

So after some thought (a tad with the mind but mainly with the gut!) and a 'test' trip to Cuba, we were embarking on our fabulous journey to Kenya....

I Am Back!

Life. It is filled with ups, lefts, rights, downs and everything in between. And every moment teaches you something, provided you have an open mind and heart!

A long time ago, I started this blog for my fantabulous adventure in Indonesia and I have stopped sharing what I have experienced since... Not because I have not had any worthy things to share, but because of time and living life!

Well, good news, I am back....

I will share with you my latest adventures in the new cities I visited, new foods I tried, new things I experienced and so much more... Enjoy and feel free to share your experiences with me too!

Arrival...

So I finally arrived home safe and sound after a 5 month (almost) journey to South-East Asia! My flights went well and thank god I had awesome companions on the 2 LONG flights...Very different people and we had great chats! I just hope we'll be able to keep in touch!!!!

So, my parents were super happy to see me and I don't blame them! I was happy too, but it was weird, of course!!!! I unpacked all my stuff and slept for ALMOST 12 hours straight...I guess I needed that sleep! Its so hard to adjust back to the time here...yikes! Am always tired and I feel like I could join a hot dog eating contest considerting my big appetite!!!! Probably readjusting to everything in this world!!! But let me tell you, if I have a chance to go back, I think I would leave on the spot...Love you parents, but I caught the bug...hehehe!

So, the reason I came back early was for my convocation and it went well. It was ok and I'll post my favorite picture up soon. Gotta love the cape...hehehe!!!! I saw some of my friends and took pics. Uni is over with....for now! I wonder what is next in terms of job and stuff!

So, I am catching upo on movies and vedging time...That is right! My couch (well, my parents') is my new best friend and I take it easy! Of course I have tons to unpack and clean and organize but still...You need time to relax from a vacation, no?

Please keep in touch and be sure to continue to check! Who knows where my next adventure will take me! Lotsa love and see you all soon!

Final Words before Departing...

Well, I just spent 2.5 weeks travelling through South-East Asia and God knows that I want to come back to this part of the world (well, now you do too!). It is so nice and you learn a lot from yourself and of the world while travelling....Beware, I think I am hooked! Especially after travelling with a friend, IAS, it is so much more rewarding and interesting!

So I was leaving Bali...I came once more to surf a bit and take it easy on the beach. It just sucks that I was very sick! Got a REALLY sore throat which now moved to my lungs, and I sound like an old man/woman...u choose!!! ;) While in Bali, I felt like shit so I was a bit disappointed cuz I wanted to do many things, which I didn't have the time to do. Bah....I guess it gives me a reason to come back! :)

So as I was saying, I left by bus and we had to use the ferry...I needed to get out of the bus for multiple reasons and I went up on the deck to enjoy the wind and the view (it was at night, but who cares!). It hit me there and then...

I am leaving this beautiful country!!! I have spent a great deal of time here as a bule and enjoying the pleasures of life and yet, I have to leave...I have to get back to Canada where reality awaits for me...The reality being that I don't have a job, but I have a diploma; I don't have an income, but I just got my tax return (SCORE!!!); and I have no clue what is next but I enjoyed South-East Asia to the max (although I could have enjoyed it more!) and it definitely opened my eyes on the world and on myself!

I think the biggest thing I've learned was that we put sooooooooooooo many barriers in our lives and these barriers are ONLY in your mind! You can really do something if you put all your energy into it...trust me! I know it doesn't sound much but think about it...Your mind will control your life and how many times have you thought: "No, I can't do that because of .........(fill in the blank)." Of course I am not following this at 100% because I am just realizing it, but I think I've done some progress! I push myself and my mentor too! :) Well, he makes me think and I really enjoy that! Puts me outside of my comfort zone!)

Anwyays, I am VERY sad to leave and I wish I could stay longer...I will try my best to come back and see all my friends and the area once again! But we will see what life has in store for me! I come back to Montreal at noon on May 26th, for those who are still confused! PLEASE give me some time and I'll definitely try to see you guys! Love you all and can't wait to see you...

Last note: My birthday is on the 22nd (today) and we are havng a party on the 23rd...It will be bitter sweet cuz its a cross between a birthday party and a farewell party!

Last Last note: I love you all!!!! :D And I got a slight tan...hehehe ;)

Many firsts...

I just spent 4 GREAT days on Ko Phi Phi Don, the island beside Ko Phi Phi Leh (where The Beach was filmed!). And it was great...more than great!!!!! I got a nice tan, bought myself a straw hat that looks like a cowboy hat and I also met friends of my friend...REALLY nice people!!!! :)

And it was my first excursion into the ocean/sea (in terms of swimming)... We had a longtail boat and we did the tour of the islands and did some snorkelling! The first time in my life and check out the things that we could see... (Picture!) Of course, I took this picture from online but this is what I saw!!!! It was BEAUTIFUL and tons of colors and stuff...We even saw jellyfishes and got scared from them...but we then learned that pink jellyfishes don't sting and god knows how many we saw of those!!!! The fishes were all nice to us but they got a bit fiercy when we started taking out the bread....good thing the fishies weren't too big! It was rally a GREAT experience and I would so do it again...(READ: anyone interested?)

Anyways, I am now in Krabi, not as exotic and no beaches, but we'll do our shopping here and relax! Definitely get a massage and just relax!!!! In a few days (the 17th), I am heading to Singapore and Bali...QUITE excited!!!! :)

Please let me know how you guys are doing...I miss you all and can't wait to see you once I return on the 26th! Take care of yourselves and lotsa love!!!! xoxox