I cheated on Madrid...with London!

I had avoided going to London for many years.  Last time I had been in there was in 2002 visiting my Serbian friend who lived there at the time.  It was a short trip and I don't remember much of it.  We had a great time catching up, it was cold and I got to see a bit of London.  A few years ago, when I decided to travel alone for a long weekend (that perfect trip to Madrid), a friend had suggested going to London instead.  She loves the city and told me there was a lot to do.  That was precisely why I didn't go, I thought it was too big, too impersonal, too many things to do for such short time.  I have to admit that the idea of going to London intimidated me a bit; so it was Madrid I fell in love with at that time.  Then, this past summer, as part of my European vacation with my children, my mother suggested going to London for a couple of days, she also loves the city, but, once again, I decided on other destinations and London was left out again.  But in recent months, I've been hearing more and more about London, so many friends who absolutely love it. And one day, as part of my weekly routine of looking at trips and hotels, I found an amazing hotel deal in London…and just like that, I checked flights, booked the hotel and decided it was time to go.  Time to come face to face with this city that for some reason intimidated me.

Little did I know that it was going to be another perfect trip.....absolutely perfect!!  Once again, it was just a short one, and I only have 2 friends in London who I rarely see.  There were friends and relatives of friends, but I ended up not reaching out to them.  I did some research and got some recommendations on museums, parks, restaurants, etc.

The flight was great, my seat neighbor a really nice American who moved to London 2 years ago.  It was an enjoyable 8 hr flight in which I watched a fantastic movie "The Intouchables" and barely slept.  I took the underground to my hotel given that it was a direct trip as it was on the same line. Got to the hotel, which is very well located, brand new and lovely.  My room wasn't ready so I set out to walk.  It was actually sunny in London that day and I wanted to see as much as possible. The hotel is near the Victoria and Albert museum, Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, etc., so there I went, bought a coffee and a scone, and map in hand, I started walking.  What a fabulous afternoon, what a beautiful city! I had a smile on my face the entire time.  It was Sunday afternoon, cool, sunny and I was in London, walking through beautiful places, going to museums, taking it all in.  I met up with a friend, his wife and baby son, whom I had not met.  It was wonderful to see them and to meet little adorable Alejandro. We spent some time around Sloane Square and at that point the exhaustion from not having slept was getting to me.  I decided to go back to the hotel, finally check into my room, take a shower and rest for a bit.  That late afternoon I had a blind date, might as well add more elements to the trip. I don't really write about dates, but in this case, it’s relevant to the story. We went for coffee, although I had a much needed wine.  He turned out to be a wonderful lad; we talked and laughed a lot.  I love meeting nice people from different places, that's my nature; I ask questions, share experiences, get to know them.  We ended up having dinner, it was a lovely evening, although now I realize that I don’t remember much, I had 2 hours of sleep in the plane and was exhausted!!

The second day was also great.  It was raining but I was well prepared, an umbrella and a trench coat.  I wasn't going to let the rain ruin my London trip. So I walked and walked, from South Kensington to Buckingham Palace, through St. James Park to Westminster, then to Trafalgar Square.  In Trafalgar in went to St. Martins in the Fields church as there was a lunchtime piano concert (Mozart). After the concert I visited the National Gallery, which has such an amazing collection.  I had a list of gastro pubs and set out to find one of them for lunch.  I walked to Covent Garden, and just when I was about to stop at any restaurant for lunch (it was already past 2), I found one of the places on the list.  It was a well needed rest, I had been walking all day and it was still raining, my boots were wet, my legs hurt, I was starving.  There weren't many people as it was already a bit late. I sat at the bar and got recommendations from the bartender who was a very nice Spanish girl. I had a wonderful lunch with a well-deserved glass of red wine, and delicious dessert, of course. Three Irish men sat next to me and they gave me some of the white wine they were drinking (according to them, I had to try it because it was a wonderful Spanish white) and insisted I also try the pork belly they ordered.  They are restaurateurs and come to London twice a year to eat at restaurants there. So, apparently, I was in the right place, if some Irish restaurateurs were trying it out.  I kept on walking through Covent Garden, and remembered I had read about a small museum with a great impressionist collection which was relatively close by.  Glad I went because it was well worth it.  Inside the Somerset house, the Courtauld Gallery was an amazing place.  I kept on walking by the Thames, crossed the bridge and got to Tate Modern.  Spent some time there, then walked next door to the Globe Theater.  It was already late, so those last 2 stops were rather quick ones.  I crossed the Thames again on the Millennium Bridge and finally got on the tube back to my hotel.  I had walked so much that day, my back and legs were killing me.  I had dinner plans with my new friend ("the" blind date), so had to take a quick shower and get ready.  Another wonderful evening!

 My third and final day was, once again, wonderful.  Walked through Kensington to Notting Hill.  Went to Portobello Road, looked at the shops had some sweets, then crossed all the way to Regent’s Park where, as a surprise, the Frieze Art Fair was taking place and there was a beautiful sculpture garden.  Then walked north to check out Camden Town.  Once again, I was beat from all the walking and took the underground back to the hotel. 

Throughout the trip, I was amazed at this beautiful city.  The parks are just incredible, you get a sense that you're in the countryside, not in the middle of a city.  People were extremely nice, the weather was good for the most part, as well as the food.  At one point during the trip I felt a bit guilty, "am I cheating on Madrid with London?"  Well, to be truthful, I was.  Madrid, a place that up until a few days ago was my love, has been put aside by London, perhaps temporarily! Madrid was a perfect trip, and now, it's London's turn.  I will be back very soon to keep discovering this beautiful city.  I loved walking the streets and parks alone.  I felt such pleasure sitting on a bench in Regent's Park eating lunch, contemplating the view, and listening to the sounds.  I loved seeing old friends and meeting new ones!!!  Those are the things that make me happy, and I was very happy these past 3 days in London!  It was a VERY LOVELY trip, and I can now say I FANCY London very much!!!  This story continues……

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship

In 2009, a few weeks before spring break, I wasn’t sure what to do with my kids.  I was going through a rough time, and wanted to get away with them, but had made no plans.  While talking to a friend who is also divorced and had her kids that week, she mentioned that she had a friend in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.  My friend is from Costa Rica, and the idea of going there with the kids (I had been for work a few times) was very appealing.  Additionally, Tamarindo is a surfing town, which made the idea even more desirable.  So, at the last minute, we put the trip together.  She spoke to her friend, we got the tickets, and off we went, 2 moms and 4 kids to Tamarindo!

We spent a wonderful week there.  My friend stayed with her friend (they had gone to high school together and had not seen each other in years).  My kids and I stayed half of the time in a little house that her friend rents out, and the other half at a little hotel across the street.  That week coincided with Holy Week, so Tamarindo was full, and more friends came to visit, they actually slept in tents in the back yard.

We took surfing lessons with the kids, went to a volcano, rode horses, went canopying, tubing, took mud baths, played in the sand, enjoyed the most amazing sunsets, saw monkeys every day, collected shells, met new people, made new friends….. It was a fantastic week, quality time with family, friends and nature.

In addition to the amazing memories, the best thing that came out of that trip was my friendship with my friend’s friend, Helen.  It’s strange because while we were there, we didn’t spend much time together.  There were so many people and she was very busy as she owns a restaurant and the town was packed.  But we stayed in touch (not frequently, though), mostly via Facebook.  She’s also divorced, has 2 kids (older than mine), likes to surf, run, bike and play tennis.  Months later, I decided I wanted to go back to Tamarindo, and she kindly offered I could stay with her.  So I planned my trip and took her up on the offer.  That was 4 trips ago, and today, I’m writing this at 35,000 feet above ground on my way to Tamarindo.

Funny enough, I haven’t seen the friend who introduced me to Helen in years.  It’s interesting how everything really happens for a reason.  Now, I have a dear friend, thanks to a spring break trip 4 years ago.

Tamarindo itself is not that special, it’s a surfing town, very touristy.  However, Helen, her hospitality, and her house make it an incredible place.  It’s a different way of life, it generates a very special feeling in me.  It brings my life into perspective, gets me thinking about what is truly important, it grounds me.  So it’s not about the place itself, it’s about the experience, what it means, what it stands for.  There are nicer beach towns in Central America, better surfing, easier and less expensive to get to, but Tamarindo is special for me.  One thing that does make Tamarindo (and Costa Rica in general) special to me, is the fact that they have “chontaduros” (Colombians know what I’m talking about) or “pejibayes” which is what they call them in CR.  “Chontaduros” are these fruits from a palm tree that I grew up eating (in Cali) and I’ve never seen them anywhere else aside from Cali and Costa Rica.  I think you’re just born liking them, it’s part of being from Cali.  Few people who I’ve made them try it actually like it.  They say “it’s like eating a raw potato.”  But I absolutely love them!  So as soon as I get there, I walk to the supermarket and buy a bag of “chontaduros,” which I eat during my stay.

The morning is the best part of the day.  For some reason, the coffee at Helen’s house tastes delicious.  It might have to do with the fact that it’s organic Costa Rican coffee of the highest quality, but also that we drink it in her back yard, under trees which are frequently full of monkeys making noises, chickens and roosters, 100 meters from the ocean.  We’re just talking, catching up, sharing our stories, our lives, which are so different, but, at the same time, have so much in common.  It’s strange how you find people that you click with, even if you don’t speak often, you just get each other. 

So those mornings just set the tone for the entire day.  Ohhh, I forgot to mention the rest of the breakfast….that’s one big incentive to go back.  Tortillas (made by some lady who brings them once a week), melted cheese (special cheese that only one guy sells and is not available all the time), zapote (a delicious fruit that I only eat there and it has to be the right season), the occasional fried sweet plantain (not every day, otherwise the surf board would not be able to withstand me) and avocado.  What a treat!!!!

When I go, I spend some time alone, as Helen is working.  I usually surf a bit, walk on the beach, just sit there, in front of the ocean, and contemplate some spectacular sunsets.  Ohhh….and I eat the best pineapple pie in the world at her restaurant!!!  We might also go for a run, play some tennis, visit friends in other beaches, and when possible, go surfing together.  Another special thing about Tamarindo is Helen’s dad, Papa Nogui.  He was the sweetest man, always happy to see me, happy that a friend came to visit his daughter.  He was the one making sure there were zapotes for me, and always telling me how pretty I looked.  Papa Nogui had been sick for a while, and two weeks ago he passed away.  So here I am, on a plane heading to Tamarindo, it’s going to be weird not seeing Papa Nogui in his room, but, at the same time, it’s going to be wonderful going back, to this special place. 

So spring break, 4 years ago, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  It’s strange how you find friends in random places, under unusual circumstances.  I have many friends who say they already have enough friends and are not really interested in making new ones.  I don’t share that perspective.  As we get older, we change, and we connect with different people, we value different qualities.  I’ve made great friends over the past few years, which I’m so grateful for!!!

So here I go again, to a home away from home, Tamarindo!  It’s therapy, it’s joy, it’s nature.  I can’t wait to get in the water with a surf board.  That feeling of excitement, fear, rush, intimidation….all at the same time.  So I’m thankful to Helen and her hospitality, for opening her home, for giving me that amazing cup of coffee, and for always being there and listening to my stories.  Friends make life better, and good friends are a treasure!

Crushing perceptions

It’s interesting how we generate an opinion of a person the first time we meet them.  We might not know anything about them, but we immediately manage to make assumptions and, to certain extent, classify them based on our own segmentation structure that we have developed over the years.  I do that, and I think we all do, it’s human nature.

This has become more evident to me over the past couple of years, in part because I’ve become more aware of the image that I seem to project, and because I’ve found new interests, which are now a big part of my life.  These interests seem to clash, or at least they are not in line with the image I project.  It’s very strange how the “perceived” image of me is so different from the “real” me, not sure if that’s the case with everyone though.  People who meet me see me completely different from what I consider myself to be, and from the way my close friends see me.  Even those who have known me for a while, but are not really close friends, can’t seem to pin me down. They sway between the image that I project and the real me, depending on the interaction and the situation in that particular moment.

A few recent comments by people who had met me not long ago got me thinking.  Is there a way to change the image we’re projecting, particularly when it’s not an accurate representation of who we really are?  Is it just a matter of time until someone really gets to know the real “you”?  Can we develop a strategy to change this perception?  Do we want to?  Is it really worth it?

I work in market research, so I’m always talking to consumers about their perceptions of brands. In this case, we’re our own brand, and, in my case, the perception of the majority of people I meet is way off.  Should I conduct some focus groups to dig deeper into this subject? Well, every interaction I have is a personal interview that provides more insights into this subject.

When people meet me they think I’m very serious, uptight, conservative, a bit spoiled.  I admit it, I’m slightly reserved (at times) and not “bubbly,” but uptight and spoiled?  What makes them think that?  I’ve actually probed a bit into this subject, and apparently it has to do with the way I dress, the way I speak, my demeanor.

After talking a bit more, people are so surprised when I tell them that I like to surf and that I went on a biking trip to Vietnam (and not a luxurious one)!  For some reason, these activities don’t seem to fit with the image they have of me.  But actually, I rather eat at a “hole in the wall” with local people (assuming the food is good, of course), than at an uptight and fancy restaurant.  I rather have a picnic in the park or beach, than go to a “see and be seen” type of place.  I really enjoy the simple things, the sunsets, the stars, the view, all of which are free.  So it puzzles me when people classify me in a different way.

I like to get dirty, to sweat and rough it (ok, only to certain degree!), to feel the pain and effort in my muscles, to try new things, to push my limits.  However, I admit it, I also like a nice and comfortable bed and a clean bathroom.  I’ve been told that I look elegant, is that contradictory to being adventurous?  In my book, these two are not mutually exclusive.  That, to me, is the beauty of people…being able to have layers, diverse interests, depth.

So this is a lesson for most of us.  When we meet someone, we shouldn’t classify them into one segment.  We should ask questions, take the time to get to know them, and even then, we'll probably be surprised by the things we learn about them with time.  We should give people a chance, I’m sure they will amaze us!

The best is yet to come...

I never really thought about turning 40. When I was younger, I remember thinking about turning 30, but never 40. I thought that by 30 I would be a successful executive in a multinational company, breaking the glass ceiling.  The story turned out very different, I was an entrepreneur with 2 beautiful children; needless to say, I wouldn't have it any other way.  So, a few months ago, the thought of turning 40 entered my mind.  I didn't know what to think.  I wasn't depressed or overly excited, I wasn't sure how I wanted to celebrate, a trip (in true Alida fashion), a party with lots of dancing and good friends, a small family celebration.  I went back and forth between these options, and depending on the day, my mood, the moon...I changed my mind.  My biggest fear about having a party was that it wasn't going to be fun and people wouldn't dance, that was my BIGGEST fear, that people wouldn't dance, how ridiculous is that?  So I thought about a trip again, with my kids, as I didn't want to spend my birthday away from them.  Madrid I thought, but just for a weekend, with 2 kids, it was a bit of a hassle.  Then, the party was back in the lead of the ideas, but I didn't know where to have it.  I brainstormed with friends:  A restaurant, the beach, a nightclub, I just wasn't convinced.  For a few weeks I had thought about a small wine bar by my office, I had been there about 3 years ago and wanted to check it out again.  I put it off, even though it's 3 minutes from my office.  Finally, one afternoon, 10 days before my birthday, I went in.  Immediately, I knew it was the perfect place for my party.

I called the chef (and partner) to ask about the options.  My mom and I had lunch there one day and it was a disaster. The owners are a French couple who are both doctors and have no idea of how to run a restaurant.  The lunch chef is the son of the "main" chef with whom I spoke.  After that lunch I hesitate again about having the party there, but I think I had already sent out the invitations...opppsss!!  I told the chef that I needed to try the food, as there was no way I would serve anything close to what I had for lunch, so we set up some time to taste some of his specialties.  I ended up going to the restaurant for dinner on Valentine's day with my kids.  The French couple was there, not too happy that I wanted to try a wine which they don't sell by the glass but I wanted to serve at my party.  After hearing the chef scolding them so I could try the wine and they could get my business, a glass of red was served.  After some tardy service (just one person in the kitchen), we started getting our food.  The kids wanted lamb chops and I just told the chef to prepare whatever he wanted me to try.  The lamb chops arrived and the kids devoured them.  They were starving, and I have to admit, the lamb chops were very good.  I love preparing lamb, and my kids love my lamb chops, so this was a good sign.   At that point, my kids expressed their desire to live at that restaurant so they could eat the food every day.  The other dishes were also very tasty, and I was soooooo relieved that the food was good.  After all, I was having my 40th birthday party there 4 days later. 

Next step, a DJ.  I had never hired a DJ, and even though I have a very close friend who is very familiar with the "DJing" world, I just needed a good DJ for a small party.  I got some recommendations, started calling and could only get a hold of one.  He sounded nice, a Colombian guy, who convinced me he knows his stuff.  After speaking to a few more, I decided to go with the Colombian DJ, even though he was the least expensive one, which had me a bit worried.  I prepared a list of the type of music I like and told him about the crowd (30s and 40s, mostly Latin but also americans, many people who didn't know each other, etc, etc.). It was hard to get a hold of him at times, which had me even more worried than the "low price." But there was something about him that I liked, a good vibe, so I just went with him.  Then the cake, I knew who was making it, the pastry chef at one of my kids' favorite restaurant (and mine), who had made my kids' birthday cakes this past year.  The big decision was the flavor, and believe me, it was a BIG decision.  Carrot (hers is absolutely incredible) or red velvet (more appropriate for a birthday, and red is my favorite color). I pondered this one for a few days, until I finally decided to go for the red velvet.  More festive, more popular, more RED :)

Two days before and I still didn't have a dress.  I wanted something colorful, it was my 40th birthday.  I have a very sexy black lace dress which was an option, but wanted something bright, happy, fun!  Went shopping and couldn't find anything to my liking; however, I bought 2 "just-in-case dresses" after sending pictures to friends and listening to their feedback.  The next day (one day before my party) a friend sent me to a store and told me to ask for one of the girls who works there.  According to my friend, "she'll find you the perfect dress, she has such a good eye." There I went, I tried on about 5 dresses, ended up buying 2, one for the party (happy, colorful, fun, CORAL/RED) and one as a special birthday gift to myself.  For over 15 years, I have loved Herve Leger, even before he was famous, and for my 40th birthday, I bought myself the tightest, most form-fitting dress I've ever owned, and I can say "I look damn good in it."

So I had the place, a DJ, guests confirmed, cake ready to be picked up, food and drinks, babysitter for my kids. My 40th birthday on a Saturday, celebrating it the same day.  I went to pick up the cake, the pastry chef wasn't there, I was expecting a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, just plain, I had bought the candles to decorate it.  Well, I couldn't believe my eyes, Cindy made the most beautiful cake, it was so special, I really felt the love. At that moment, I knew it would be a very special day.  In the afternoon I went to arrange the set-up of the restaurant and the chef had bought roses for me.  I was rushing to get ready and called the DJ to let him know that i wouldn't be able to arrive much earlier than the guests, he just said "Alida, it's your party and you will have fun.  Don’t worry about the music, I'll take care of it, you just enjoy."  Such good people, such sweet people, incredible energy, and the party had not even started.  My 40th birthday party couldn't have been any better, the DJ absolutely rocked, I danced all night long, my amazing friends were having a great time, the food was delicious (although I didn't try it), friends were made, kisses were given, wine was sipped, love was felt.  I smiled the entire night....not just a smile...a big, happy, glowing, incredible smile, the smile that makes me feel so alive, so loved!!!

I had never imagined turning 40, now I know that it was a magical day for me.  The years have been good to me, I've definitely come into my own.  I'm more me than I've ever been.  I feel comfortable in my skin and my body (and that Herve Leger dress that I'll wear soon).  I value the little things, I enjoy small details and I'm thankful for the incredible children, great family and amazing friends who are such a big part of my life.  Now, more than ever, I realize that a smile does wonders and that being nice is the only way to live life.  When you're nice, you'll find so many nice people out there.  So bring it on 40, I'm ready for you!!!  Bring on more laughter, dancing, love, adventures, friends, sunsets, surfing, mountains, rainbows, biking...

Cheers!!  To life!! 

The Brady Bunch...Reloaded!

March 2010, I'm talking to a friend who lives in the Midwest and he's telling me about a trip he's planning with his kids in the summer. He wanted to go to a national park, somewhere in California was his first choice.  I had also been wanting to take my kids to a national park, so it was a great opportunity to travel together.

Let me give you some background into my friend and how we met.  As I mentioned, he lives in the Midwest and we had met back in 2007. We are both on this social network called aSW and he had posted that he was coming to Miami.  I rarely get on the website, but did at that time and noticed his post.  I think I wrote back with some tips, and with the back and forth, we ended up meeting for dinner.  I had already looked into his profile and he worked in global marketing for a multinational, so I thought that at least we had something in common in terms of our jobs (I have a market research company).  So we met, a pretty risky move now that I look back...I knew nothing about this guy.  Well, we had a great time at dinner and remained friends.  At the time, he had just separated, and he has 2 kids, a boy and a girl who are each a year older than my kids.

Over the years, we kept in touch, and the more we talked, the more we realized we had a lot in common, so conversation was great. He's from Argentina, loves to travel, likes sports and the outdoors, etc.  Even though we both travel a lot, we never managed to coincide in the same place. It wasn't until the end of 2009 that we saw each other again.  He came to Miami with his family (although not the kids), and he briefly met my children.  Fast forward a few months and we were having the conversation about the summer trip.  After brainstorming and exploring destinations, I convinced him that Maine would be a great option as it was closer and the driving distances were more manageable than California. So we decided to plan a trip to Maine. We did some research and agreed on an itinerary.  He was in charged of finding a house to rent and also the car, and I was in charge of finding a hotel in Portland, Maine (his responsibilities clearly more demanding than mine).  All the expenses were divided in half.

We would meet in Boston, drive to Portland, Maine and spend the first night there.  Then drive north to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, spend 5 nights there, and finally, drive south and stop in Kennebunkport, Maine for one night before heading to Boston to catch our flights back home.  All of a sudden, it was summer, and my kids and I were getting ready for the trip.  As I started telling my friends about it, it became evident that I was a bit crazy for having planned this trip.  After all, I had only seen my friend twice, and I had never met his kids.  Spending a week with another family, going on a road trip, sharing a house, it started to feel daunting.  But I was already in it.  All I knew about his kids was that they liked soccer, and  to me, that's a good sign.  My kids also like soccer, and the fact that they had this is common gave me some peace of mind.  At least I assumed we were all active people.  But that was about it, and with kids, you never know if they will get along.  Oh well, I take chances in life, and this was one of them.

So there we were, my kids and I at Logan Airport in Boston, at the car rental place, waiting with anticipation for our road trip companions.  I think we were all a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect.  Now I wonder what my kids were silently asking themselves, "What the heck is mom thinking? Planning a vacation with strangers."  They finally arrived, the introduction was slightly uncomfortable, but there was no turning back at that point.  Soon after, the six of us were in a blue van, driving north to Maine.  I took a picture of the 4 kids in the back and sent it to my closest friends.  They were cracking up, they all thought I was crazy for going on this trip, and were relieved to see the kids were happy.  By the time we got to Portland, the kids were totally getting along.  We had dinner and went to the hotel.  It was a suite that had two bedrooms and a shared living room.  The girls decided they wanted to sleep together, so they did, and the boys with their respective parents, in their own room.  The next day we got ready and the funniest thing happened. Without having planned it, the girls were both wearing pink jackets, and the boys blue Gap hoodies.  It was hilarious, we looked at each other and started laughing.  Walking around town, everyone thought we were a big happy family of 6 who liked to dress alike :).

It was a rainy day in Portland, but we still had a good time, and in the afternoon started driving north to Bar Harbor.  Driving through Maine I felt a weird sensation.  I went to college in Massachusetts, and my boyfriend during my senior year was from Maine, so I had been there many times, but had not been back since.  It brought back so many memories!!!  We finally arrived at the rented house in Bar Harbor.  What can I say?  A rented house.  It smelled like cat, and I don't particularly like cats.  It was one of those places where it was better not to look too close.  Still, it was fine.  Four bedrooms, one for the boys (with bunk beds), one for the girls, and one for each of the parents.

The following 4 days were great.  We went to Acadia National Park, walked, hiked and climbed the rocks next to the ocean...what a magnificent site!  The kids were fascinated, they had never seen anything like it.  Strong ocean, waves crashing against the rocks, miles of cliffs in the horizon.  It's incredible to see the power of nature and the way kids interact with it.  We would spend hours, just walking, hiking, playing, contemplating the beauty.  One day, we also went kayaking, each family in a kayak.  That was one of the highlights of the trip.  We paddled to a deserted island and got off.  The kids decided to build a fort, and spent the next couple of hours carrying branches and logs and arranging them side by side in order to build their fort.  It turned out great, they were so proud of their achievement. Those hours in our little private place were priceless.  No television, no video games, no technology, just nature and us....and a camera to take lots of pictures.  The kids wanted to come back the next year to see if the fort was still there.  They were wondering who would find it and what they would do with it...we will never know.  We paddled back (I had a really hard time because of the current, but made it all the way!!!) and felt a sense of peace and accomplishment.  What a special day that was!

The entire time in Bar Harbor was special. Additionally, the soccer world cup was taking place, so we would watch the matches and then explore some more.  We picked rocks, walked around, ate great food.  The risk I took paid off.  It's really hard to find people to travel with (with or without kids), and at the time, I wouldn't have taken this trip alone with my kids.  So it was perfect to find another person with kids of the same ages who enjoy doing the same types of activities.  I have to admit, it did get to a point when it was hard to be with the same people for 24 hours a day, but that's completely normal.  That day (the 5th or 6th), we just decided to go our own way for dinner, and that solved the problem.  Needless to say, the kids got along great, talking, getting to know each other, playing, singing in the back of the van when we were driving, I just felt like the Brady Bunch...RELOADED!  A bilingual modern version of it :)

Our stay in Bar Harbor was over, it was time to drive down the coast to Kennebunkport. What a beautiful drive, all those fishing towns, totally charming and picturesque.  We ate lobster rolls and frequently stopped for pictures.  We finally made it to our destination and that afternoon drove to neighboring beaches.  It was a very gray and dark afternoon, but still breathtaking.  I had never seen such beaches.  One with endless sand, there were people riding their bikes on the compact sand and others playing with their dogs.  We took some incredible pictures there.  Then, there was a beach with no sand, but rocks, small rocks in all shapes and colors.  We brought some back to Miami and they are part of the decoration on my coffee table in the living room.

On our last day, we drove back to Boston, once again stopping in very unique towns.  More beaches, light houses, and quaint streets.  There was some sadness in the air inside the van that day.  Our road trip was coming to an end, our fabulous adventurous road trip, one that would have never taken place if it wasn't for a risk I took. Funny enough, I never felt it was such a big risk, I always thought things would turn out fine.  

We got to the airport and my friend dropped us off since our flight left earlier.  When saying goodbye, my friend handed me 4 seashells he had picked throughout the trip.  It was a little something to remind me of all the wonderful memories we shared.  I keep them in the same crystal bowl with the rocks.  

We have not seen each other again, but we speak all the time, and we frequently remember that incredible trip.  It will be a lifelong friendship.  Very soon, we hope to plan another trip together....another unforgettable trip.  For now, we have the memories, the breathtaking pictures, and the crystal bowl with the rocks and 4 special seashells. Life is about taking risks, I'm convinced of that!! ....and the trip turned out way better than "fine"!