After slowly working my way through a delicious pot of mussels and the BEST cappucino in the entire US, I sit outside with my feet in the more than tepid water of the pool, and listen to the rolling thunder. As I reflect on my week in Myrtle Beach I bring to mind all the extremes of emotions I have recently been through.
To be in bad health is not an easy thing when far from home.
The decision to spend my 7days leave in a southern, sleepy, seaside town with no internet, tv or familiar faces, was not the easiest decision to make.
My vacation began with a 2 hour flight, which turned into a 5hour pain in my ass-literally! 11days prior an unexplicable pain had started in my lower back and within a couple days had radiated down my legs and into my feet-the pain was relentless even with paikillers. The extended flight didn't help, on arriving at the condo I took a long bath and called it a night. The next three days were spent relaxing, sketching, reading and physio appointments.
Due to my gimpy hip and lack of transport, I wasn't able to see much of Myrtle Beach, so my fond memories were formed by the people I met
In times like these I am thankfull for the simple things:
The loan of a house from a generous friend
Sleeping in until 6pm
Sitting inside in the coolth of the aircon and seeing the turtles in the lake below basking in the midday sun
Having a neighbour use a credit card to shimmy my door open at 3am because I'd locked myself out
Being taken under the wing of a cab driver so selfless and empathetic that he was willing to lift me after hours at no cost
Spending an entire day reading a cheesy romance novel
The appreciation I felt for my massage therapist, who though clumsy, has the most intuative and healing hands I have ever felt. I wish her the best health with the birth of her first child in November.
The comfort in knowing that no matter where in the world you are you can always phone your mum for the best advice.
Spending half an hour infront of the cracker aisle in the Hungry Lion with 2 store assisants and a friend on the phone trying to select the best crackers for cheese. Needless to say I walked out with 4 different varieties
A night and sunrise spent at a cabana on the beach listening to universal music and talking about cheese-I like unusual food, but am yet to try some of these ethnic treats: melted cheese in hot chocolate, feta roll dipped in coffee. A Russian, a Lithuanian, a Libian , a Puerto Rican , a Yugoslavian and a South African, all sharing cheese and a Southern sunrise together
Sharing a meal with a new friend
Winning a monkey bigger than myself at a funfair
Chatting to a newly retired couple at the pool about their completely different upbringings, and how they had met and fallen in love
The comfort of knowing that on return to NY I have a home and a family I have quickly learned to love.
I will never forget the time I spent in Myrtle Beach and the wonderful people I met...
I am back home now, and my hip is doing much better.
The boss arrives onboard tomorrow and we will be heading up to Marthas Vineyard, Nantiket and Boston...new places, new faces andnew memories. Life doesn't get much better than this. I lost my cellphone on the way home from the airport yesterday, so facebook and email are my only means of communication for the next couple weeks.
