I really do love what I do. And, I’m a really lucky girl. I say that often and my friends probably get tired of me telling them of my next excursion. I mean come on…travel to different places, beautiful countries, eat the most divine food, hangout with locals, do some shopping, maybe even an island Safari or trek with llamas, bottomless cocktails…and all on someone else’s dime!!

I don’t take it for granted. I always return to my abode from my hot spot destinations with a renewed appreciation of life and a humble spirit. I then get to interpret my experience in a creative way. Pen. Paper. Notes. Pictures. Mac. Publish. Barnes-n-Noble.

(Did I mention Mac? I l-o-v-e my Mac!)

My freelance gig affords me luxuries my UVa 30k degree won’t ever! I was even in law school.

Boring.

I think I’d be making about 250k right now. But at the expense of sacrificing leisurely paseos in bucolic country sides (when I want, not when they say I can), I’d pass on the tax bracket income. Plus I’d be a slave to needy clients. I will not bore you with the crazy professor from St. Johns College that filed suit for wrongful termination. What!?! Puuuhhleease!

I am my client.

My most recent trip last month landed me in the Caribbean. Barbados was a place close to Cuba that I’d never been to. The commercials make it look perfect. The bluest beaches are transparent enough for a cruise swimmer to find a ring I lost at the bottom, quietly settling into the white sand. Honestly…this girl dove off the catamaran we were on and challenged herself to finding the ring my mother had just made me. I was skeptical. But she found it!

I had plenty to eat and though I was expecting to eat very well, I was more excited about the beautiful scenery and options of excursions. The food is a given because we have to be nourished, but swimming with turtles was a wonderful gift of life. Really. I was treated with such wonderous appeal and laid back spirit that I completely forgot I was there on a writing assignment. Short of my jealous father calling me every night to ensure safe return to my hotel, I had completely disconnected from earthlings in the US.

I left some things undone so I would have an excuse to go back. And, soon.

This is the beach where the British gal found my ring! I had just swam with turtles in the middle of the ocean. Can you tell it was raining!?

A spectacular view from my enormous and relaxing suite

This Bajan hustles by axing coconut for tourists. I’m not crazy about natural coconut water, but the meat is delish!

I’ll introduce you to Bajan food in a few days! You will be delighted to learn that flying fish is their national dish. And though eating Caribbean food would be the expected thing to do, I did have some excellent Italian at a posh post of a London based upscale restaurant. Check out my review here. Come back on Sunday!

* DO THESE PICS ENTICE YOU TO VISIT OR WHAT?! BAJAN LIVING WAS HEAVENLY! *