Time to get out

July 5
Today was the day for exploring. So after I enjoyed saying hello to the ocean and ate my breakfast on the patio Toufic took me on a tour of the island. Much like my favorite island, Kauai, there is one main road that will eventually get you where you need to go, even if you hit some island traffic.

He dropped me outside of a private complex with strict instructions on how to bypass the security and make it to the beach unscathed. I meandered on the green path with the ocean in view when I hear, “miss, I can a speak to you?” Crap, really? My cool local cover was blown. Was it the red hair or the freckles on the pale skin? Plan B, use my smile and my girly ways, “that depends on what you want to speak to me about.” We bantered back and forth, him trying to figure out if I belonged on the private property, me trying to slowly inch my way to the ocean without him noticing. Finally, I said, “look I just want to hang out on the beach.” Then in his sing songy Jamaican accent, “Oh, lady, why didn’t ya' say so? I’ll take ya' theer meself. Theer are hooligans around here and this is no place for ya'.” Hooligans? Who uses that word and honestly this place looked nicer than my apartment complex in Phoenix. Little did I know, I had just met a local island legend, Leon.

The path to Leon

A former gangsta’ in Jamaica (according to local authorities) Leon is the property manager for a large very fancy complex owned by the guy who owns solo (the Styrofoam company). He is also affectionately known as the 'man who ate the dictionary' because of his ability to use multi-syllabic esoteric words that are only found in the Bible or in the dictionary and throw them into everyday conversation. I was amazed at his skill as he toured me through his personal house on the grounds, led me to the beach, suggested a great bar and restaurant, and somehow managed to ask for my digits and invite me on a guided tour to Jamaica while dropping apocalyptic, inquisition, bragadocious, omnipresent, and a few other words into the conversation. I remember thinking, am I high? I’m sitting on a beach talking to a Jamaican that sounds like he studied at University while offering to be a tour guide. In hindsight, I realized it was the ‘man who ate the dictionary’ who had just crossed my path.

Thanking Leon for his time and for his fantastic entertainment I made my way to the Royal Palms. I needed a beer. I’m a fan of getting whatever is local, here it was Cayman Light. Two Cayman Lights and conch fritters later I had made friends with the bartender and two couples on vacation. It was time for some girly rum based drink on the sand and playtime in the ocean. Appropriately fitted with my adult beverages I made my way to the beach chairs. I didn’t last long under the intense sun and I needed to cool off.

It's gettin' hot in here!

A quick dip in the fantastic ocean I was doing better and set out to people watch. One of my favorite pastimes. I quickly became aware that my new friends from the bar were having fun in the water. It wasn’t until later during an awkward swim past them on one of my cool off dips that I realized they were experimenting with the motion of the ocean. Get some!

I know so tacky, but I couldn't resist ;)

Along with the frisky couple I spotted a guy walking with a Georgetown medicine shirt on. I struck up a conversation with him and found out that, Bryan just finished his third year of medical school and was here on break with friends to “get away from it all”. Amen, brother.

7 miles of idyllic sand and sea

We walked the stretch of the beach and chatted about the struggles of the path of medicine. He peppered me with questions and advice, but the question I remember most was him asking, “Are you excited about starting your own practice? You must be!” It wasn’t until that moment that I reflected on it all. It was an amazing moment to be looking at him and realizing how far I had come. From fighting my way into medical school and proving I was “worthy” to becoming an award winning Family Physician to stepping out on my own doing something unorthodox. It was a fantastic moment that felt like a message from the Universe saying, “Keep going girl! Get some!”  My answer to him, “Yes it’s exciting, nerve wracking, but liberating! It’s the right thing to do for me.”

We parted ways and I started to meander the long road home. I stopped along shops and beach outlets. I chatted with surfers who explained the local surf culture. I chatted with a little girl who was carving coconut on her front step. I meandered through vacant lots and along the coast gawking at the empty massive estates. Who lives in these and who needs this much house?

A local tourist attraction spotted on my journey home.

Two hours later I arrived at the apartment to discover the journey home was 8 miles. Oopsies! Oh well, my gams love a good work out. I opened the door to an excited Jenni. She wanted to go for a walk... how could I say no to such an excited puppy? I’d let my legs rest tomorrow.

One of the local beach stops on the way home....