Travel & Thank: Day 6. Experiences Collector or Broccoli to Die For

I'm a true experiences collector. If I were given an official acknowledging paper or some sort of a certificate for each thing I've ever tried but had no real business trying, I'd have a huge pile of such paper verifications by now.

For instance, I've never house hunted before - not for myself, nor with someone else. I remember seeing the activity in movies when I was a kid and thinking that it was kind of cool and very grown-up looking. Well, today was my first time!

I was asked of a favor to check out some properties here in country C. on behalf of someone else and, let me tell you, it was a very different experience - exactly the kind of a new thing I like to try and am always thankful for. I was driven around town and shown whatever I wanted to see, and maybe it would've been even more fun if I was actually looking for a place of my own and needed it here in country C. - one of the apartments I saw today looked 86% like my dream bachelorette pad. One thing I know for sure is that when I'm finally house hunting for myself I'll have this priceless experience and use the tricks realtors use to my own advantage. (I was definately making careful observations, yes!)

On another note, the food at the Thai restaurant I mentioned before is a reason good enough to make a really quick come back to this resort town - their broccoli is just too amazing for words! Had it again tonight and my stomach couldn't be more thankful, oh my. I'll probably be back again before I leave.

P.S. I'm thinking people who wonder how come I manage to truly enjoy my solo trips abroad need to read my blog. See, it's just impossible for me to get bored even if I travel alone - I attract non-boring things just like my food plates attract delicious broccoli. Okay, this last line was kind of lame... My excuse is I'm just having way too much fun!..

Disclaimer: Travel & Thank™ is a mini-project within and is part of The Thank You' Project blog 2009-2010. Travel & Thank™ updates are featured twice a week, are pre-written and not made in real time - each post was created during the author's actual vacation in the mid-fall of 2010. For privacy reasons the names of the persons, places and geographical locations may have been shortened, abbreviated or changed and are not subject to disclosure.

A Thankful Favor?

The Thankful Survey is looking for more thankful respondents!

Once the survey reaches its 100% response capacity (we're at 40% right now), I'll be sharing the results with all of you and it's something I'm really looking forward to - I'm seeing some interesting patterns already! 

If you still haven't participated and want to do me a little favor (and this way contribute to the upcoming book), either follow this link or use the "Thankful Survey" tab above to submit your thankful answers. The survey's short and easy, so have no fear!

Travel & Thank: Day 5. I Wouldn't Dare Say It Wasn't a Perfect Beach Day

This was the day that I decided to devote solely to the beach. This also happened to be the day when the weather was less than beach-perfect - it was chilly, it was cloudy, it was really windy and the skies were dropping occasional water tears here and there.

No beach time that day meant messing up all of my "beach all day long" plans - a thought I couldn't bear thinking. I had plans to occupy one of those pricey sunbeds at the beach deck by the hotel we visited with mom and aunt a few days back, and I had my perfect beach outfit ready - I looked so good I was jealous of myself.

I contemplated for only a bit - I realized that if anything could stop me from spending the day at the beach it was only me. The weather didn't matter as much as my devotion, so off to the beach I went. Think I regretted it? As if! I came around and found all the reasons to be thankful for.

First of all, chilly meant I would have no problem being outside under the sun (or should I say clouds?) all day. I could sunbathe all I wanted and not get a heat shock. Secondly, windy meant more people thought it wouldn't be a good idea to spend the day by the sea. The beach was almost empty, and I was the only one at my fancy beach deck. Due to its price it's almost empty daily, but even those usual one or two couples were nonexistent that day which meant I had the whole deck to myself - perfection! And last, but not least, everyone seemed to be extra attentive and extra eager to be helpful, which I believe was both because the staff had less people to cater to and because the less than perfect weather didn't mean less than perfect beach experience. In the end, I wouldn't dare say it wasn't a perfect beach day.

Bottom line, life is what you make it and experiences can be created. You decide!


Disclaimer: Travel & Thank is a mini-project within and is part of The Thank You' Project blog 2009-2010. Travel & Thank updates are featured twice a week, are pre-written and not made in real time - each post was created during the author's actual vacation in the mid-fall of 2010. For privacy reasons the names of the persons, places and geographical locations may have been shortened, abbreviated or changed and are not subject to disclosure.

Travel & Thank: Day 4. Flowers for Myself

Random thankful thoughts of the day: 

1) If being alone at the house yesterday felt slightly weird, then today morning it felt perfectly normal already. I woke up and it felt just fine, and I was thankful for the peaceful state of things all around me;

2) I’ve been here for three full days, but this morning was the first day when I sunbathed by the property’s pool, and since it was the first time it felt positively new and interesting – something to be thankful for, because if I keep relocating beach-wise I won’t have the time to get tired of the property’s scenery;

3) Such serenity here, I’m feeling completely relaxed for the first time in a long while. I don’t even miss the internet! Went to an internet café nearby to get online quickly and regretted it – I think this was more of a habit rather than a desire to check on things. It suddenly felt like work and I had to remind myself I was on vacation. I left the place earlier than my pre-paid time was up, thankful that a quick trip online made me realize how truly relaxed, stress-free and easy I felt these past days;

4) Saw they were selling roses at a nearby supermarket and bought myself a bouquet. Such joy! A simple gesture of appreciation given to myself. Highly recommended!

5) It seems it’s always easier to get lost when you’re exploring a new town on your own. When you have a partner, one of you just always seems to remember more of the focal points on your explorative route. When you don’t have a partner, it makes it more adventurous and makes you more focused. It also makes you more comfortable being alone overtime.

6) It’s usually not that easy to creep me out, so I’m actually thankful I got to feel and enjoy the feeling when visiting some of the ruins here today all by myself. I bet it wouldn’t feel the same if I went with someone else!

 

7) Local Thai restaurant’s food is AWESOME. So delicious I could barely stop eating. Dessert didn’t fit in, so I’m thinking I’ll have to come back and repeat. And only now do I realize that I didn’t even once think of the fact that I was dining out on my own. Did I mention that with time you learn to really appreciate your own company?

Disclaimer: Travel & Thank™ is a mini-project within and is part of The ‘Thank You’ Project blog ©2009-2010. Travel & Thank™ updates are featured twice a week, are pre-written and not made in real time - each post was created during the author’s actual vacation in the mid-fall of 2010. For privacy reasons the names of the persons, places and geographical locations may have been shortened, abbreviated or changed and are not subject to disclosure.

Travel & Thank: Day 3. First Night Alone

Visited the small piece of a beach by one of the best hotels’ here with mom and aunt. .. And realized I’d never once been to the beach with my aunt before. It's definately good for additional bonding, which is in turn always a good thing to be thankful for!

Later that day mom and aunt had to be getting ready for their flight back home, which meant I was to stay alone and have all the house to myself. Must admit it’s a weird feeling to be sitting here alone like that. I’ve never been alone abroad in a basically my own house… Hotels, yes. I’ve traveled alone more than enough to be completely comfortable in doing so. But actually staying in a house where I have to do some cleaning here and there, prepare my breakfasts or snacks, do occasional laundry and dishes - now this is something new. It feels weird but it also feels liberating.

I’m sitting outside now as I type this, sipping on my green tea and overlooking the prettily lit pool, some palm trees and other bushes…  I’m feeling really thankful (not to mention lucky) to have this opportunity to spent almost 2 weeks really living alone, and what is more, living alone abroad. Such a priceless experience for the future, such a great step in learning extra independence. I’m just more than sure that it will prove so useful sooner than later.

P.S. As if the perfect picture I’ve just painted for you wasn’t enough, I’m now watching fireworks!! Right over the palm trees!! Let’s pretend they’re in the honor of my first night alone here…

 

Disclaimer: Travel & Thank™ is a mini-project within and is part of The ‘Thank You’ Project blog ©2009-2010. Travel & Thank™ updates are featured twice a week, are pre-written and not made in real time - each post was created during the author’s actual vacation in the mid-fall of 2010. For privacy reasons, the names of the persons, places and geographical locations may have been shortened, abbreviated or changed and are not subject to disclosure.