Tag: Puerto Rico

home is where I am getting to

December 29, 2023 by Cassandra Johnson (Merida, MX)

I sat in my very long layovers from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Merida, Mexico, being in Chicago and Houston respectively, and thought I can’t wait to get home. Home? I then realized this just meant the next place I would live for a while and not a place I had even been before. This perspective was surprising and very true since where I was traveling to was not necessarily permanent and was only first introduced to me through my love of Sortilegio. Coincidentally.

Understandably, home naturally once meant somewhere I was already comfortable and to which I would be returning.

Suddenly realizing I could not wait to be here in Merida now felt the same as looking forward to settling back in somewhere and feeling comfortable and satisfied again. I could rest and explore. The feeling resonated especially with my flight ticket being open-ended. This is a very homey feeling. I do not expect to move here but recently, one-ways have meant not necessarily feeling the pressure of time.

Of course, extended time at the airport and just dealing with travel add to the feeling, but I handled the layovers surprisingly well and just became increasingly excited for my next accommodations. Furthermore, within my now locations, I feel myself getting excited about neighborhood and hostel and AirBnB hopping as well (even eyeing a short resort stay in my near future). Home is getting to feel more like having these options and variety. Each option has pros and cons but I  like being in a new neighborhood I can check out and returning “home”/ to wherever my current accommodations may be.

There is a new peace in deciding my true tastes in food, sightseeing and living each day and becoming more accustomed to how each setting has its own uniqueness. It is a test to adapt creature comforts to my new surrounding but sometimes it is easier and sometimes even better than I could have even imagined.

This is it until I become a more permanent expat/immigrant/snowbird, resident. When I am ready, I will know…

As sappy as this sounds

November 29, 2023 by Cassandra Johnson

I am back and this is about my not so smooth landing. Spirit Airlines was actually probably one of the most effortless parts of getting back to San Juan, Puerto Rico – so sorry to them for having such a comically bad reputation.

No breezing through airport TSA this time. Both pieces of major luggage were stopped and especially checked. One reason: I am not exactly sure what I was thinking with a regular size of contact lens solution. Luckily the agent let me slide after testing its content.

Moments before, even more baggage delayed me at the Amtrak terminal. I wanted to fly out of Baltimore for good rates, so it made sense to take the train from DC to there.

As sappy as this may sound, I think I am still chasing dreams. Ironically, the prospect does not make my goals any easier. However, I feel more satisfied along with my continued longing and I currently find myself traveling like I want to but I still have a lot to adjust.

I am imagining an ideal lifestyle (as I have for a while now), one that includes community and having more time with family and friends. I am working on a better quality of life. What I value is now being shaped even more from a combination of experiences I have already experienced. They have just not been sustained to date. I have met more people recently who share the same perspective. They want to maintain this quality of life while staying on budget or increasing what they can budget.

I have offered some encouragement and ideas. I also work to maintain the advice and encouragement for myself. I could have enhanced my current finances which developed from a combination of me giving up my so called “good job” and taking on freelancing full time.

The new development includes not necessarily accounting for delays in payments along with bills that always arrive on time. (So do as I advise rather than as I do.)

Still, though my landing included deciding to move from one hostel to an AirB&B to another hostel that I really really like, I know I would not have had the same experience if I had decided to only downsize my DC life. I would still be wondering about what I am doing now: Starting my nomadic trip and spending time in discussion, chilling, laughing, dancing and cranking out work projects so I could get back to the former.

The lesson it has actually given me is that I should have started sooner. I could have implemented my plans earlier and while I will not beat myself up, I will now know I was even more capable then. More capable when I first had the notion. More capable when the thoughts first turned my attention.

However, I appreciate what people describe as failing forward or to loosely recall Oprah’s encouraging words: A misstep is more like a course corrector, informing us to go another way. We have to figure out the tweaks, here or there, whether they be small or large.

Me. I do not really know but I do know I like it here in San Juan a lot for now, as a place for me to grow and enjoy as I make my way back to Peru again. Seemingly appropriately, I have returned here in November 2023, as the weather easily reminds me of 2019.

This time, during my first week (beginning November 1st), I found comfort in the friendly people both visiting and who live on the island.

As I dream, I also imagine the coincidences of being in places at certain times and getting to know people I otherwise would never have known, had I been here before this month or months later. The timing works and gives me both something to look forward to and look fondly back on.

I am happy to stay for just a bit more and dare I say, the mosquitoes are pleased with this as well. 😊 Working on that.

buy me a hot chocolate

Out there

October 30, 2023 by Cassandra Johnson

I actually found a to-do list that is nearly finished. Granted, this particular one (I have many) only had about 3 things on it. Still. 😊 Some semblance to progress.

Over this past month, as one closet seemed empty and a bit neater, one room became more jumbled. Yet, progress can sometimes appear a bit messy and not exactly how you would envision it. My intentions and actions began with some type of order but not much could stay neatly in place as the more I reviewed items and the more I had to dismantle furniture and areas of my place, the process took on a life of its own, depending on my job work load, other commitments, desires and people’s responses to what I was selling and giving away. To get to the point I am in now, I could control the overarching momentum of this move but not everything. Both sides of that led to my liberation. Still, I also made sure I had my very necessary social time with friends and family. I leaned into the peace and laughter they give me.

Still, I am a bit surprised at myself as I walk around my soon to be former apartment now starting to echo but I won’t stop being anxious until my nomadic plan starts to seem real again, not until I’m in that flying seat to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with only virtual matters in my head, like online banking and my new Traveling Mailbox.

It’s comforting to think of the freedom of not being tied to this particular spot, yet I will have some very small storage I expect to downsize and eliminate in the coming year or two. I’m thankful I finally found a guy with reasonable pricing and a very strong physique to help me with this last part of lifting these items and doing it ever so quickly. I will remember that he made the last few days of my time here ones with more ease. I take it as a sign of people reminding me I’m worth this and how much community is necessary.

I really am grateful for a lot. I appreciate how there are people who like my offers and there are people who didn’t break my bank (like the gentleman above) and who were genuinely enthusiastic about working with me.

My hiccups have been ever present so knowing I could overcome some has fueled my energy. Other moments, I imagined giving up or perhaps just giving in and trying another route I do not actually think I want.

I like the sense of knowing a lot of this is directed by me already. Sure. I want to relinquish the plan-making to someone else now and then, but there is also a lot of encouragement in knowing my whims could lead to very real dreams. We will see.

Friendship In A Day

JUNE 30, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

A nice spin on getting to spend time with a good friend is getting to do the same in paradise. 2019. Enter Puerto Rico.

I was post volunteering (doing some sightseeing here and there and taking in the suggestions for all the local events which happen to be taking place). A beach being just up the road did not hurt matters nor did Old San Juan being about 10-minutes away by bus or Uber.

My friend and I had talked about how fun it would be if we finally had the chance to travel together. As we usually had a collection of getaway stories to share, we pondered how fun it could be if we had those stories in common.

Planning out our schedule for what was some good timing, we carved out one overlapping day and for this span of the time, we went to the beach, went to some tourist spots, dined on some nice cuisine, and later realized how we may not have even had the time.

We were appreciating how the plan came together despite the time winding down. We could relax, even having the time to shoot the breeze over dinner with other travelers, share music at a local bar, and be a part of the nightlife.

Decadent dessert was also good for my enthusiasm 😊 and this was all in good time before my 2ish am flight. I would see him again back on home turf.

Connecting and hanging out with new people abroad is one highlight. Then there is this other magic of passing the time with local friends on an excursion and fortunately for us, the island gifted us both its excitement and serenity..

Getting to see each other was a nice bonus to each of our itineraries. Remember the company you keep. Leave room for the relaxing escapes and for the very real connections.

Related Posts:
Organize Me
Pleasantly Surprised
Gracias and Viva: Hasta La Próxima

Spontaneous Suggestion for February 20, 2020 (Audio)

 BY CASSANDRA 
  
 *I promise I’m otherwise articulate but in the spirit of spontaneity, here is number 1.

https://www.volunteerhq.org/ (What I meant to say😊)

Continue reading “Spontaneous Suggestion for February 20, 2020 (Audio)”

Gracias and Viva: Hasta La Próxima.

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
Castillo San Cristobal Fort

Unfortunately, in Puerto Rico, the coordinator of my specific project was not feeling well, but I was pleased they found a spot for me the next day. This allowed me to do some light organizing in the overall project’s office and get a vacation I didn’t realize I needed. At the same time, I had the chance to connect with folks, (volunteering, working, or traveling through) who reaffirmed a lot of the things that make me smile the most.

Another new volunteer for the week and I received our orientation on Monday and since it was a holiday, our volunteer lead in Puerto Rico came to the hostel to take us to our project site and then on to Old San Juan for touring. Us IVHQ newbies (yet respectively seasoned volunteers) both agreed we didn’t need to get out at the building at which we’d be returning the next day, but rather the Uber driver could continue on to the next spot in Old San Juan. (Funny, because we would still get a little lost the next day😊)

In and around San Juan – home and back

Leaving the Uber, (we weren’t able to get the bus on Monday, other days proved more successful), we stopped to sight see – we were taken to one of the famous old Spanish forts. The nice fusion of being an IVHQ volunteer: getting to know the people and experience the culture of an area in different aspects and getting to help in a variety of ways.

Art is Life
Continue reading “Gracias and Viva: Hasta La Próxima.”

Time to Think

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

Now that I’m pretend caught up with my work (salaried, that is), I’m noting just how long overdue my post here is. I appreciate your visit and the chance to share again and most notably I am realizing I have some actual time to think.

Puerto Rico was exactly where I needed to be a couple weeks ago and a sure sign of the difference in being in alignment with your purpose and being where I am now. I’ve touched on when I’ve been most in harmony and though I know enough to get by in not so congruent circumstances, I am most assuredly leaning towards my new newness. I have some purpose and I don’t want to keep you or me waiting.

PUERTO RICO IS NEXT

AUGUST 30, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

Heart strings being tugged at once more, it appears that the island life is in my near future. This is true, at least for a temporary stay. I simply know it to be true since I got that familiar feeling that comes with a volunteer mission I feel in my being before I’ve even realized all the necessary steps and scheduling. Puerto Rico is next and my recent actions told me so. It is telling in the way I’ve already requested the days away before knowing if I will be accepted as part of this organization’s hurricane recovery. One moment at a time. If I can’t participate in one way, I will look at others.

Visiting my Where is Next? will tell you where my mind has been going. Visiting my fifth post will tell you where I began. Visiting select others will tell you how I’m riskysafe and subscribing here will keep you updated along the way.

I am grateful to have you here for these few moments and hopefully more to come. Looking forward to sharing additional past and future thoughts and experiences!

Warmest regards,

Cassandra Johnson

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
photo credits
Sunset photo: creazionpublicidad on Pixabay
San Juan Architecture: Patrick Sweeney on Pixabay
Aerial View: grapesky on Pixabay
Wooden Heart: Carlo Winkelmann

Recent Posts

Where is Next?

APRIL 29, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

I continue to travel. I continue to volunteer. This is both home and abroad. My heart is telling me where I’m drawn to next but I’m opening up the floor to your thoughts as well. From sharing my previous stories with me, you probably realize that I’m pretty laser-focused when I decide to head out, but this doesn’t mean I won’t keep adding suggestions to my list.

Feeling absolutely helpless is what came over me when I viewed Puerto Rico those many days and even months after Hurricane Maria hit. The same was true for the US Virgin Islands and I think I have a special propensity for hurt people who also seem to be getting second rate regards. That is an added devastation.

I became acquainted with the Friends of Puerto Rico through a 2017 fundraiser, held at a local DC architectural firm. It was so well put together, offered so much and I was pleased that there was a place to connect with others and participate a little for the time being. I won my silent auction bid and was just recently feeling that I wanted to direct some more energy that way.

I went back to some email updates. I found this store, which is Café Ama and read the story of the seeds that survived the hurricane and how one 10-year old little entrepreneur decided she would be sharing these and other gifts of Puerto Rico. I don’t consider myself a coffee drinker. I wouldn’t want to compare myself to the real ones since sweet versions like café mocha are my chosen selection and complimentary tea usually fills my cup at work. I was preparing to check with friends to whom I might gift these, yet suddenly I fell for the most adorable little espresso cup that proved to be even more delightful in person.

My mind is telling me that I want to fly to the island. I have experience with continued recovery after an initial disaster. I may be going. I may be helping in another way. I like to be some part of various efforts that will aid people with limited resources. I believe in giving in all its forms. I believe in monetary help. I believe in physical help. I believe in kind words. I believe in smiles. I believe in encouragement and I believe everybody needs somebody.

Landscape Image by Joylne D from Pixabay