Feeling a Fresh Perspective After a Whirlwind Travel Adventure

Gorge Waterway, Victoria, BC

“A change is as good as a rest.” ~ Winston Churchill

I was feeling stuck, restless, and a yearning to switch things up weeks before our scheduled trip back home to Canada. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost sight of my appreciation for the life we are living in Panama, the challenges clouding my vision. I missed my family and friends and I was looking forward to connecting in person and, perhaps, reclaiming my joyful perspective.

The first opportunity to broaden my perspective resulted from the change in our circumstances. This was our first trip away since calling Panama home, and the difference from travelling an over twenty-hour journey from Saudi Arabia on the company dime, to the shorter haul from Panama on our own finances, was notable. When we’d booked our flights, Mister and I had thought ourselves clever to choose cheap airline deals that involved multiple layovers and connections, reasoning that we now had the time and ability to manage, but I would soon discover that every choice has its own set of highs to enjoy and lows to endure.

Our ambitious adventure kicked off with our friends driving us the two- hour passage from our home near Coronado to Tocumen airport, just east of Panama City centre. At the Copa check-in area, there was a buzz of activity, people cloistered in crowds around the self-check-in machines. Our attempt was foiled, a notification that there was a problem related to our connection through the USA, and we were directed to the in-person counter.

There was a ridiculously long, slow-moving, tension-inducing line-up, and I couldn’t help but yearn for the old days when we had priority status. When it was finally our turn, Mister ironed out the confusion and then, boarding passes tucked safely into our passports; we went to our gate. After a breezy transition through Security, we were denied entrance to the VIP lounge, but fortunately there was little time remaining until take-off. It wasn’t long before we were in our seats, ready to embark on the first leg of our trip, from Panama City to Fort Lauderdale.

The snacks provided on board were less than mediocre; a bag of corn tortilla chips and a packet of generic Oreo-style cookies, neither of which complied with my allergies. I munched on a Kind bar for lunch, listening to an Eckhart Tolle podcast to pass the time, daydreaming about fine dining experiences in business class. It was as clear to me as the blue sky outside my window how perspective can influence your appreciation.

After a short flight and a line-up through Passport Control, stamp one hundred in my ten-year, soon to expire passport, we proceeded to a different terminal, on the lookout for the Flair counter. We’d never flown the budget airline before, and we were both nervous there might be a problem with the weight of our carry-on. A group of eight young woman in line in front of us were receiving the third degree, having to move items from one case to another and even toss a few belongings in the garbage. My throat constricted as the line moved at the pace of a sloth. As it was, angels were amongst us, and our check-in agent attached the green tag of approval, despite it being two kg over the limit.

Five minutes later we were at our gate, the sole restaurant for our late dinner a pub with astronomical prices and an unimaginative menu. I almost fell off my worn and torn pleather bench seat when I saw the bill, one glass of average wine topping in at $24 USD. My perspective was broadening as I realized the steep increases in costs due to inflation and I noted that the cheap flights came with a plethora of unanticipated costs.

The flight from Fort Lauderdale was even shorter than our first, and we arrived in Toronto just before midnight to a quiet terminal. We breezed through Customs and picked up our bag, out at the taxi stand in a record thirty-five minutes. The airport taxi service offered a reasonable flat rate and soon we were at our accommodations, snug as bugs in our dear friend’s cozy bed, lights out just past one in the morning. Sigh.

Monday morning dawned far too soon for us early birds, wide awake at 6:30. Our minds were instantly abuzz with thoughts of seeing our daughter, but first things first, we dressed and departed, on the hunt for a good cup of coffee. Mister used his map app to find a café close by. The price for a cappuccino had risen from $4 to $8 since our visit last April, but at least it was frothy, hot and delicious, and gave us an energy boost for the remainder of the day.

We had one final task to complete before meeting up with our daughter; a toiletries run at Shopper’s Drug Mart, the iconic Canadian pharmacy. I sputtered and coughed as I reached for a travel size shampoo, only to spy a price tag of $5. I could only wonder how Torontonians were managing these huge hikes in costs, and suddenly found myself feeling extremely grateful for the significantly lower costs of living of almost everything in Panama in comparison to the country of my birth. Yet another opportunity to broaden my perspective.

Our daughter treated us to an exceptional dinner at a fabulous restaurant where we dined with two of her closest friends. The five of us found our flow quite quickly and soon were discussing all kinds of topics, including travel and books; subjects close to my heart and theirs. I was present to the opportunity for fresh perspectives that conversation with these young women created. It touched my heart deeply, to witness in person the connection my daughter shared with them. My daughter was animated, confident, and glowing, her new lease on life even more poignant in contrast to the struggles she overcame to get there.

My views were further broadened over dinner with the friend we were staying with. She shared stories from the opera tour in Italy she’d just returned from and the three of us dove into matters close to our hearts. I opened up about my ongoing challenges with the trauma, grief, and loss in my family, and my friend gifted me with her wisdom and unconditional love. I felt confirmed in my belief, that sharing our stories with people we trust can provide a fresh perspective that gives us new insights. When I tucked into bed past midnight for the third night in a row, my exhaustion seemed insignificant as feelings of hope restored my strength.

When we departed Toronto for Winnipeg, I was all smiles, delighted with our daughter’s decision to join us for the entire week of our stay. We had a full schedule of events planned, including huge family gatherings with both Mister’s side of the family and mine. When I saw how much cousins, nieces and nephews had changed after over a year between visits, it hit home how much time had really gone by in a way that calendars just can’t convey.

To celebrate Mister’s parents’ 60th wedding anniversary, our daughter joined Mister and I in preparing a gourmet three-course pairing menu. My shopping experience at DeLuca’s invoked feelings of nostalgia for the variety and abundance of familiar products available in Canada compared to the grocery stores in Saudi Arabia and Panama. When my in-laws shared stories from a different time, I was aware of how much life has changed. It felt like a huge gift to be a witness to the perspectives of two people I respect and admire who’ve overcome many obstacles and stayed committed to one another, a marriage defined by unconditional love and integrity.

After a full week in Winnipeg, it was time to prepare for the third and final leg of our Canada vacation on beautiful Vancouver Island. I was full of excitement for the reunions with my mother, brother, son and daughter and excited for connections with friends and extended family too. It was a bit of a slog travelling our economy-inspired itinerary; a three-hour flight followed by a taxi, one ferry ride, and another taxi to our Airbnb. We’d planned to take public transportation, but switched gears with a compromise of renting a car for half the price in Victoria the next day instead of at the Vancouver airport.

Sweating and heart palpating through what must have been my fifth or sixth extremely low blood sugar since leaving Panama, I shoved organic gummy bears down my throat during the hour bus ride, including transfers, from our rental to my mother’s condo. She was waiting in the hallway of her building, as is her custom, her face lit up with an ear-to-ear smile, and I was overcome with relief to see her looking in better condition than when I saw her last.

The day of our tour of Mom’s new digs in a supportive living residence, I was gifted with another perspective broadening shift. I’d been preparing myself for the worst, imagining a dingy, tiny apartment and a building tainted by smells of hospital and aging. To my delight, Mom’s new home turned out to be a modern, newly renovated space with a super positive energy. Walking into the attractive lobby, we were greeted by a friendly staff member and sounds of a Bingo game in progress across the hall. The young woman who gave us the tour was from Columbia, and it was fun to practice speaking Spanish with her as she led us around. Mom’s living room opened onto a gorgeous plant-filled courtyard and there were so many fabulous areas throughout the building for her to enjoy, including a cinema, gym, activity room, library and dining room.

A trip to Origin’s Bakery, home of luscious wheat-free, corn-free fresh baking, had me inhaling deeply while exclaiming I was in heaven. Sifting through old photos at Mom’s had the power to undo me, heart-warming snapshots mixed in equal measure with faces of loved ones no longer with me, especially my father. A picnic with cousins covered polar emotions of joy and struggle, and lunch with old friends in Mill Bay brought back beautiful memories of falling in love. We drove to my daughter’s home near Cowichan Lake where she treated us to a salad made with love fresh from her own garden, along with a nourishing dose of heartfelt conversation.

The big event of our Victoria trip was my son’s 30th birthday party celebrations. He flew all the way from London, England with his partner, and managed to pull off a spectacular day. The location of their Airbnb was stunning, smack dab in the idyllic forest of Saanich. They served the group of us delicious homemade food and my brother donated a magnum of bubbly for us to toast my son’s future. We connected over hilarious stories and serious speeches, my heart full and sad at the same time, knowing it was all coming to an end, too soon.

During our time in Canada, I was struck by many changes since the last time we visited. There were many empty buildings with for sale or for rent signs in the windows. The homeless population had risen everywhere, most noticeably in downtown Victoria. The vibes in each part of the country were extremely different and diverse too. I recognized the valuable opportunity I had, to listen to other people’s points of view and broaden my perspective through the exchange of ideas.

Tuesday morning kicked off with another arduous trip of taxis, a ferry, and three flights with connections in Seattle and Atlanta. We arrived in Panama at one o’clock the next day, and I was instantly struck by how joyful it felt to be home. Home. It’s a powerful feeling, made stronger by the contrast, of a shake-things-up vacation. All the challenges of snakes, scorpions, spiders and Spanish that were overwhelming me before, now felt like mere grains of sand. Memories of my last time at Tocumen airport, almost a year ago, flooded over me. I smiled to myself, recalling how excited I was to be reunited with Lola, that she’d survived the 24-hour journey.

I didn’t have long to ponder, as I hauled my belongings outside the terminal, where rain poured down in sheets outside the protection of an overhang. From my fresh perspective, even the rain felt nourishing. With a skip in my step; my body weary, my spirit invigorated, I walked towards our truck, our friends ready to drive us back home. Home. Bienvenido a Panama.

So yeah, I’m feeling a fresh perspective after a whirlwind travel adventure.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      June 24: The Rogue Scorpion Review by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite

·      July 14: Author Q&A with Sarah at Reading Nook

·      TBD: The Rogue Scorpion Review on The Book Commentary

·      TBD: Author interview with Bren Masson on Freshwaves Radio

·      TBD: The Rogue Scorpion Review by Molly Rockwood @ Rockwood Editing

·      You can read reviews or listen to interviews on my website.

Events:

·      I’ve been invited to attend FILPA, Panama’s International Book Fair in Panama City in August. My time slot is on August 16, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Atlapa Convention Centre. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll drop by and say hello. Stay tuned here and on social media—Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram—for video promotions I’ll be featured in, recorded by El Hombre de La Mancha bookstores.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

·      Watch The Holding trailer.

·      Watch The Healing trailer.