Journeys from home

On my very first journey, I left the islands on wanderlust.

The aircraft I was to go on got shut down two days before, due to some drugs they found on the plane, so I flew on British airways instead. 

I boarded the flight, and it decided it would get rough with me. There were rocking, lurching...huge turbulences, making it a very bumpy ride. The plane shook so hard I though it was gonna fall out the skies.

There were loud screams ( could have been from me) as I gripped the arms of my seat for dear life. Later, as things settled down, the air hostess began her walk down the aisle offering hot and cold drinks (back then was a time they offered refreshments on airplanes) so I requested an alcoholic beverage in hopes of calming my frail nerves. Everyone was now curled up with their blankets trying to get some sleep, but not me, my eyes stayed glued opened the entire nine plus hours.

***

We finally, landed which was something I was greatful for. 

Outside, my father waited in a dingy weird looking little truck, very unlike what I'm accustomed to seeing him drive. Back on the Islands he maintained a hot boy image, he owned a couple fast cars and the girls all loved him. Now he was single and I fully understood why. Who would want to go out with man who drives a car that looks like a mini ambulance, anyway? 

Arriving at his place was even worst, the apartment he was living in was a cramped little place, with a pocket-sized bedroom and a teeny-weeny bathroom. I was like shit, did he leave the islands to live in this chicken coup? I can't believe he left his house back in the islands for this!

Anyway, I hadn't said anything out loud so relax, I am not that insentive. I am pretty sure he was aware of his situation.

The next day, I stroll out on my own to a store that I had seen earlier called Adams. 

As I walked down the the street feeling contented and blissful suddenly, I heard a man behind me shriek "Get out the Friggin Way!" I was totally taken off guard, did not know how to respond as I have never had anyone speaking to me in that manner before, so I did what that horrible man commanded... and just move to the side. 

Anyway, I wasn't about to let some brute ruined my day, and so I carried on in my state of complete bliss.

At the store there were some great stuff and soon I forgot all about the incident earlier. Over the years, the aunts had brought me stuff from England but it was never anything nice, nothing I could truly see myself wearing, which led me to believe that England only had some old ass ugly clothes which was not the case.

The following day, I took the tour that pass by Buckingham Palace in hopes of spotting the queen. It was a very slim chance but it turns out I was lucky that day. 

*** 

My time in London winded down and it was time for me to return to the islands.

London turned out to be a city where... the cars parked infront of apartment buildings on both sides of the street, everyone walked like they were late for an important meeting and it rained all the time... so I was ready to go home! 

*** 

My flight back was just as bad so as soon as I landed, I kiss the ground and silently promise God I would never get on another plane. I really thought the plane was gonna fall out the skies into the depths of the sea and no one would find us ever again! 

***

But soon I took another journey (and went back on my promise to God) This one, I've been anticipating for the past five years. See, home has never been a place where I could authentically just be me! And the need to escape was always just a lingering thought.

I grew up with extensive family members around and to them I was like a square peg and they were more like a round hole to me, we never seem to fit well with each other which caused alot of friction and passive aggressive behaviors.

I'm a person that like figuring things out on my own and my family well, they like to hold onto and maintain control through whatever means possible. And because of that I am always running as fast as I could find the airfare. 

***

The time to leave home has finally presented itself and I was ready to hit the road! Finally, I could distance myself from those meddling family members and away from people who I had little in common with.

I journeyed to the Cayman Islands first to visit friends and stayed three months. 

After which I embark on another journey to my next destination. 

*** 

I was excited about this new venture, a new country that I have never been... and finally a better opportunity for me to accomplish something good in my life.

The journey to my new life was one I enjoyed, the passengers beside me were a couple who spoke only to each other so there were no uncomfortable conversation that I had to endure.

On the flight, I watched a movie "The Prosposal". It's one that I've seen several times before, but me being me, I had to watch it again. That scene where Betty White was chanting in the woods and Sandra Bullock trying to convince a bird to take the dog and give her phone back was just too damn hilarious, I could not resist. 

I stepped off that plane and the scent of a new life was so thick in the air I could touch it with my hands.

I ordered a cab and headed to the place that would be staying.

As I observed my surroundings on the commute, I noticed that all the trees had no leaves (they appeared to be dead).

The highways were massive and all the cars drove really fast (on the wrong side of the road).

As I journeyed further to my destination there were ice everywhere, there were more trees without leaves but this time they had ice on them.

I arrived at my hotel and went about my business of checking in, only to be told at the front desk that I could only stay for 21 days at time. This was nothing I have heard of before and I had been to many hotels, but to my astonishment it was in fact so. One cannot stay at a hotel longer than 21 days due some law that was written by some asshole which said if you are staying in a hotel for up to thirty days then it means you live there and the establishment cannot put you out, even if you refuse to pay rent! (they would need to get a court order to do so) And this my friend, is why I now have to find another hotel in 21 days. 

*** 

I was fortunate to find myself a job working 35 hours a week, that paid a measly salary, and with that I thought I could get an apartment easily which would solve the issue I had with hotels. There were alot of apartments for rent in the city but could I get one, no sir. It turns out I would have to have a considerable number of things like, a good credit score, a good rental history and according to one real estate agent one year's deposit (I shit you not!).

I have NEVER heard anything so bizzare in my life. But, in 21 days, me and my belongings took the journey to the other hotel nearby, which was much more expensive with very dirty carpeting.

And so, for two months I was back and forth between two hotels. 

I was getting tired, cold and a little discouraged and knew I would not be able to keep this up. Realizing for the first time that I was practically homeless, pulling my stuff across dangerous roads with high speed cars, I was embarrass about who I had become. I have been on this earth for 48 years and I have never been through anything remotely like this before, and to see that it only took one trip to this land of opportunity (it's a opportunity to experience real proverty) to go through this mess.

I though about going back home but it would not be a sensible thing to do unless I was never gonna come back.

***

I think God must have heard my cry and felt my distress because a week later, I got an apartment with a landlord who didn't seem to be on a get rich scheme. He didn't want an arm...or a leg, he just wanted my deposit, my rent and a signed lease agreement.

So, I moved into my new apartment, three days after the viewing, one week before christmas and right before the crazy weather started! There is a God alright, and he loves me... 

Life will take us on journeys,

We will have unwanted experiences,

With some dissappointing encounters,

But never regret where the journey takes you,

Just thank God about where he has brought you in this life,

And know that it's exactly where he wants you to be.

(c)Bree~