Spontaneous Suggestion for April 20, 2020:
BY CASSANDRA
FYI: For Your Inspiration (Audio)
Category: travel
FRESH AIR: ONE BREATH AT A TIME
MARCH 25, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
As anxious as I may be to take charge of my own livelihood, I am quite fortunate to have a job with income and capabilities that allow me to work from home while there are many who do not.
I will hold space here for the people who are being majorly set back by the financial, emotional and mortal effects of this virus as it remains with us. The unfathomable is that people have lost their jobs, that many are unsheltered – homeless, without the option of self-isolating. The unthinkable is that many jailed and detained people have limited options for social distancing and hygienic practices. Still further, depending on what dwelling in which you stay and in what part of the world you live – not going out and earning a living and/or securing food means not providing the necessary resources for yourself and your family, and the conditions don’t lend themselves at all to staying several feet apart. I understand every person is a part of what helps the world go around, all of us. There can be no mistake that each path of each person goes into the framework of all our outcomes.
I take note to appreciate an overarching company leadership who does not view it as trivial to give us the option to work from home, reevaluating as the time comes. They let us have the choice to exercise healthy safe precautions for ourselves and others. With my job, some go into the office, but many of us are in our respective homes working steadily, reciprocally safeguarding one another’s health.
With my gratitude, I will hold space for people like me, working to maintain some regularity, persevering to continue to be a helpful employee or employer, working to contribute and stay whole as a part of the whole world, as much as we possibly can right now. I will encourage, especially my entrepreneurial readers and those looking to grow and be promoted within their companies to work on some skills they have been meaning to nurture more recently or even for some time. I’m encouraging myself to go that route as well.
My workout routine has become home-based and another effort to maintain some normalcy with not only physical healthiness but mental healthiness as well. Fresh air from time to time and social distancing and much hand washing, I’m reminding myself to heed the warnings, in the ways I can, as not to be a danger to others or myself – as far as I know. I guess that’s one of the things which can cause panic: the not knowing. However, with Eckhart Tolle, in my studies, who helped guide me, following the loss of my father, I also have some practices in place for living/honoring the present moment and working on self-improvement. I highly recommend him and thank you again for stopping by. Stay safe, where you may be. Know you are loved and a unique part of this world’s beautiful presence.
😊
Cassandra
HERE TO THERE
MARCH 14, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
My heart is heavy with all the many lives, now lost to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and throughout the world. With my company’s new option, starting Monday, of being able to work from home for a week, I will do so accordingly. As someone who takes public transportation for quite some time to get there and back, I want to diminish the chance of being a harm to others or myself. Not everyone has options like I do, and I think people are commendable in all the various situations they are facing.
The gym has been a good healthy outlet for me to visit daily (save one alternating day). Working on my healthiness has done some work for my psyche in general and a nice bonus is that it is within walking distance. I also find it healthy to be able to be out and about and socialize in these continued smaller ways – being out – getting to the stores and the gym has been nice.
Ironically, I already imagine I will get more done working from home. I already know, per the chance we got to do so for about a month during our renovation. It has been quite the year already, well actually two years, I would say, starting with the flood that totaled most of my coworkers’ cars in the parking garage. We’ve had many ups and downs as a team.
Cuba. I coincidentally got a loving message from Dignora yesterday. I recalled her in my spontaneous audio suggestion on Wednesday as the first casa particular in which we stayed in 2016. She reached out to check on me and let me know they were okay. I think going through our tasks with extra special precautions is key. I think deeply even more of my fam in Ohio (where I grew up) and friends everywhere. I thought I had some gratitude before but I’m really appreciating life and how friendly and well-intentioned most people can be.
A lady asked me if I found any food as we were leaving the grocery store today😊. I said, “some” and asked her how she did? We’re lucky, in this particular store in DC, in Friendship Heights. I can’t speak to the whole DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia area) but it wasn’t rough at the store just a little up the street. Even when the toilet paper section was starkly bare, next to a lot of other products, there was a considerable number of items left. You only had to reach further back than normal for what you would normally get or settle for brands or items, close enough to what you might desire. Also, there was plenty of food stocked in the perhaps not so healthy areas😊. Then, lo and behold, a smiling Safeway employee rolled out a skid of toilet paper next to the self-checkout line to which I was heading. Even then, people only gingerly started taking one 12 pack two-ply at a time. I don’t know what happens after I leave or what’s going to happen but did I ever really know? We’re just kind of very accustomed to life being a certain way – and that’s okay too. A journey is a journey even when we’re close to home.
Lots of love, Cassandra
Spontaneous Suggestion for March 10, 2020 (Audio – Cuba)
BY CASSANDRA
Casas Particulares One nation – Two currencies (at time of posting): CUC (convertibles) for non-Cubans and Cuban pesos/Moneda Nacional(MN) – for Cubans *Pay close attention, both can be intermingled, but CUC has a higher monetary value. Malecón de Havana (what I also wanted to share) – Wikipedia describes it nicely. Fábrica de Arte - brilliant space for art (of all kinds), simultaneously a dance venue in Havana
Some Cuban stops: Havana Viñales – one of my favorites Trinidad Cienfuegos Mayabeque
Credits: Wikipedia and Lonely Planet for highlighting the references to fond recollections- 😊
Another One: Not Done😊
FEBRUARY 27,2020:) BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
Another Birthday. Better than ever.
This one is a throwback to where I was this time last year, with much appreciation for then and now. Thank you for being a part of this life.
Returning to Pisco, Peru: Part 1 Returning to Pisco, Peru: Part 2 Returning to Pisco, Peru: Part 3 Returning to Pisco, Peru: Part 4 Returning to Pisco, Peru: The Conclusion
Another February
FEBRUARY 23, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
Becoming a free agent is going to be quite the trip, adding to some other personal parallel journeys.
Adding in gratefulness for all past and present paths, I’m ready – as far as I know.
All-nighters or rather, perhaps quasi all-nighters, here I come. It’s time to increase the work-at-home gigs and freestyle-freelance gigs on my way to even more of this volunteer travel life. I’m referring to this, personally, as my volunteer life challenge (keeping me ever closer to who I suspect myself to be).
At past and first glance, I thought about looking forward to what weekends are supposed to be and especially to those extended weekends and random PTO days, here and there. Then, I had a moment. Something different occurred to me, with the help of some hardworking YouTubers, writers and other creative people. Maybe I’d much rather capitalize on these times and power through, in an effort to have my future consist of what feels more like endless Saturdays, commencing and ending with volunteering, writing, translating, traveling, family, friends, discovery and soaking up forever suns and restful nights. Not a bad challenge that leads to that finish line.
I’m fortunate to have a birthday that ends in my favorite month, February. Reflecting on everything, every person I’ve met, knowledge of every ancestor paving the way and all my personal experiences, painful or dear – knowledge of what got me here is padding my steps.
I’ve worked hard before but for some different errant objectives. These were not regretful. Many were quite commendable, but rather for another time and another me not as ready as this one (probably even less developed for the me to come).
Being altogether better at meditating, resting up, working and chilling in between… I’m curiously excited about what and who I get to meet and of course, revisit. More to be shared. More to be seen.
Image Credits: Images by geralt on PixabayContinue reading “Another February”
Spontaneous Suggestion for February 20, 2020 (Audio)
WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW
JANUARY 31, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
The pain in my leg was not letting up. Several days into what was otherwise the paradise of living and volunteering in Cochabamba, I could not continue to ignore it. Just coping and hoping for the best is never a good plan. I had thought I would eventually be okay with just one good stretch following the long bus trip from Sucre. My body was telling me; however, this was more than a serious cramp. I couldn’t ignore being unable to put a regular amount of pressure on my foot. I couldn’t walk at my typical speed, jog alongside my friends, speed up to cross streets or get from point A to point B as I would regularly expect myself to be doing.
There had to be a remedy or at least an explanation. Interestingly, a temporary day of relief came when we popped into a gym and completed our workout with a cardio strength class. We primarily had free styled in a cycling class, not intentionally, but only because the instructor was more so walking around instead of leading. The instructors for the strength-building cardio class, a fit male and female duo, were much more engaged and motivating. We were done being skeptical whether or not this place was a good fit.
Class was fast. I was still high from the workout. We were in and out of activities, grabbing mats and steppers and various weights from the back of class and continuously moving. The male instructor alluded to “now we know who has the best a$$ in class” when I remained in one position long after we were instructed to shift to another. I was in the zone… kind of😊.
Juan, Margaret and I talked to the instructors about another visit. Friedrich had been doing strength training on his own. I was elated and told him there was no leg pain during the workout. He suggested it may be the blood flow from the exercise. It made sense – it seemed to be something like a blot clot (of all my guesses). Back then, I didn’t realize the very real importance of standing, stretching and moving during long plane and bus trips. Having the ability to withstand a lot for long periods of times caused me to think this too wouldn’t be a big deal for me. The bag on my lap had not helped. I was on one of the less recommended bus lines, so I was more focused on maintaining my belongings. Still, this workout brought hope. I was energized in a number of ways.
The relief did not last. Stretching out carefully or quickly powering through movements was a no. Friedrich massaging the muscle was no kind of solution either. Something had to give. I couldn’t properly enjoy my joy.
Fact is funnier than fiction. The place Margaret and I moved into was across from a health clinic. If I knew about The Secret back then, I would have guessed I somehow manifested this medical building to have doctors and staff inside just so I could meet with one doctor who would carefully listen to my symptoms as I explained them in Spanish and instruct the nurse to give me the quick curing hip injection – the injection to end days of not knowing exactly what the issue was and having to realize I wasn’t invincible. I was ready to feel a little unstoppable again😊
I recall afterwards, hanging out in the main area where Margaret and I lived. Her room was on the first floor and my room was up a level. We were now sharing with two cool roommates from England and Norway (They had replaced an unfortunately snobby couple who consistently appreciated Margaret way more than me. It was actually more so the girlfriend.) I was in sync again with the new girls and the four of us found ourselves hanging out and venturing out together, easily.
I digress. I recall this one evening, going up to my room to retrieve the bottle of medicine prescribed by the doctor for aftercare. Fredrich held it, taking in the red fluid and dropper. Knowing I felt better, he said a little cautiously, “I wouldn’t take that if I were you”. I couldn’t decide for a while until it cracked on the floor one day. It wasn’t necessary then… he was right?
Magic finally happened. I was better. I could get back to life as I knew it for then. No more worries about something I didn’t know how to fix and gratitude for being able to do and enjoy all my opportunities again. Strange and interesting experiences were waiting for me.
Image Credits Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels Photo by Sunyu Kim from Pexels
Sustainable Bolivia
JANUARY 30, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
You simply needed to be a community volunteer to seek a home at the Sustainable Bolivia house in Cochabamba. As Margaret’s time, subleasing in the Brazilian couple’s home, was coming to an end, we would find ourselves there. Margaret was the sole volunteer of our group at that moment, before Juan had the inspired thought for us to likewise help out at her school. One visit there and he would also have quite the unchallenging time convincing me to join. 😊 The school was how she came to live in the city.
Margaret and I were prepared to live in the Sustainable Bolivia house, though we would actually just end up being everyday visitors there. Juan would be the one we were visiting. He was with us on the initial day we were checking it out, but more so on the periphery. Funny it became the perfect find for him. There was just one spot open.
Margaret and I wanted to stay in the same house so when we were informed there was another smaller rental property around the corner, we opted to look there. Alternately, he would be our regular guest there. The added bonus: Visits from Friedrich. The four of us were able to rendezvous on the regular between his freelancing, our volunteering, various sight-seeing, clubbing and low key hanging out with people from Sustainable. Our routine was just a little different from Melrose Place.
Juan’s new home had the PSF small-footprint vibe which calls to unique experiences. Out and about in some places in South America may not always be ideal (like anywhere) but rather than limitations, I’m impressed how creative the organizations, travelers and locals can prove to be. My daily was now assisting with Margaret’s day care class and Juan was helping with one of the primary levels. How easily everything had transformed into my ideal scenario. My only immediate issue was something I briefly introduced – what I was sure was a relentless leg cramp from the bus trip from Sucre. It had to be. I was loving life. I was doing more than okay only I wasn’t okay.
This One: She Rolls off the Tongue
JANUARY 29, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
Cochabamba was about to be forever a part of my lexicon (though I have to admit I was unfamiliar with this city in Bolivia) but also how lightly she begins and rolls off the tongue. Leaving La Paz and Sucre, I had admittedly tucked an entire country away into a box. For shame. There was no love like my love of Peru until a couple days following the warm night I rolled into Cochabamba’s main bus station. Even getting to that terminal sparked my senses. Instantly I felt incredibly underdressed. After roughing my way a bit between the cities, there was a notable difference between me and the passersby. Though I had gained a real knack for cleaning up quite nicely in between physically demanding volunteer life, this area shouted modern city life and it didn’t hurt that the timing wasn’t all that far from Carnaval.
Cochabamba was another one of those completely unexpected circumstances in my South American plans. I can’t forget falling into a daily routine there (that could have continued so effortlessly for so much longer) and it’s almost a little scary to think I entertained the thought even for just a moment of not being able to stop there. Roads not taken and what not. I would have allowed a very important chapter to pass me by.
Good on my three (co- Pisco volunteer) friends to end up there for some time. (It was meant for me to hang out with them again and sadly revisit my goodbyes when it was time to legitimately cross back over the Peruvian border.
I promise as soon as my girl, Margaret knew I had reached this magical Bolivian city, she asked just why I couldn’t stay with her and her current roommate rather than anywhere else. Made sense. After all I was finally there and not quite there – at her place yet. Her “can’t you just stay here” in that genuinely hospitable British accent took me back to a myriad of sentiments, never to be erased.
What I had done was not taken for granted the ease with which I might be able to get to their part of the city from the bus station at night – planning mixed with a lack of planning on my part. I was left corresponding with her from the quaint hostel I had reserved just prior to arrival. Thankfully, I saw very little of it – save for a short night, followed by a brief stop back to retrieve my barely unpacked things). I would spend the rest of her subleasing time with her before we moved on. Leaving the hostel like hotel, I could see the remnants of the staff’s peculiar looks about me and/or my fleeting situation. Certain curious looks are just now something I’ve really come to appreciate😊. It probably means I’m on the right path.
My timing came together. I made it to the spacious apartment for Margaret’s birthday celebration, and it could have been my own😊. Reconnecting in Cochabamba also meant reconnecting with Juan de España/Spain and our American friend, Friedrich (all of us: PSF throwbacks). We were easily prepared to be as thick as thieves with mostly good and some daring intentions. Margaret and her roomie’s temporary subleased space was that of a Brazilian couple currently on holiday. Her birthday night was easy: Catching up. Cracking up. Dinner followed by dancing before our days would fall into the lovely routine of responsibilities laced with paradise.