Ah… so this is long overdue. I won’t attempt to recall every moment, detail and activity from my time in the DR. I left at the end of August and stayed a few days. I landed in Santo Domingo and made my way up to Sosúa. Though I won’t provide play-by-plays, I will reflect on how I felt before and during my trip. My birthday is September 7th. A few months before the 7th, I had several ideas for what I wanted to do with my friends… As time went by, I began to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t want to orchestrate anything. I wanted to remove all stress and expectations from my life even those associated with birthday plans. The odd (and somewhat sad) realization was that most people forget or won’t celebrate you unless there’s something planned. I guess most of us need an invitation to do so. I wasn’t sure how to take that… a part of me took it personal but I’m actively working on my ego.
Back to the trip.
So… the DR wasn’t planned. I was griping to one of my friends about my state of mind and he invited me out (he was already going). I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was! While he was working, I was lounging. All I wanted to do was relax. I didn’t want to think or decided anything. I wanted to escape all of that. It was nice sightseeing, basking in the sun, exploring and trying new food. — which got better each time we went out. Though I’ve become more comfortable with traveling alone, it was nice to have company overseas. I don’t take it lightly that he offered to share his space with me and I’m thankful.
A few days of waking up, rinsing off and jumping in the pool or lounging in the sun with zero obligations was a calm reset I didn’t realize how much I needed. It was overdue. In fact, from now on, when I travel, I want to have less plans. I typically don’t have an itinerary but I do have activities/places I’d like to check out. I just don’t want the pressure to get it all done.
Where’s the fun in that, anyway?
Zaira Viteria 