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Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Sometimes You have to travel...

... to realize you already are where you are suppose to be.


As many of you know from reading earlier posts, I recently went away to South America to escape the cold and to fill the feeling of "must visit Argentina" that has been nagging at me since the first year post-accident. I had no idea why I felt this gravitational pull to South America or what I would discover. And despite Mr.G’s concern about the flight time, off we went to the unknown.

Our first stop was Peru – not part of the original plan, but when dear friends informed us that they would be there visiting family for the month of December and would love for us to join them, we could not resist. Our time in Peru was short, as the gravitational pull was Argentina, but our time with them and their Peruvian relatives will be one that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. (more on Peru in future posts).



Arriving in Argentina (Buenos Aires) was not at all what I had expected. The hotel our travel agent assured us was a 4 star , when I voiced concerns – was actually more like a 2 star (and that is being generous) and since all the 4 star plus hotels we contacted were fully booked until January 2 – ; 4 nights too many we tried to make the best of it. I won’t bore you with all the details, but we did finally relocate to Savoy Hotel.

All the travelling and stress of the first hotel took its toll on me and we scrapped our plans to travel to Mendoza or Mar del Plata. Instead we decided to stay put and explore the various districts of Buenos Aires (more to come on these districts in a future post).

Reflecting back on this trip and self analyzing the melt downs I had, and the events that occurred – it is clear that there was a need for me to experience everything we did. Going to a different country does not mean you leave behind the demons that haunt you day in and day out; somehow they hitch a ride in your suit case and gain strength.

My yearning for independence and freedom was even more threaten – I had to really depend on Mr. G to keep me sane (and at the best of times this can quite challenging for him to do); the chaos of traffic, people and a foreign language strained each and every nerve in my body, causing any relief on my bones and joints from the warm climate to quickly evaporate. Putting on a happy face so that people would not think I was going crazy … did not help my energy level or my emotional state. And I found at times, I wished that I just wouldn’t wake up – yes, very scary emotions to be experiencing especially in a developing foreign country.

What I did learn from this experience is that you cannot runaway to a foreign country and hope that life will somehow magically return to pre-accident. Yes, people there do not have a pre-accident me to constantly compare to post accident me; but, I still remember pre-accident me and I still compare and missing me ~ geography does not replace memory, if anything it may accentuate what I am no longer able to do.

So, the only travelling I will be doing is to the warm parts of the southern places in our sister country USA and the Caribbean islands where life is but a beach and warm. And discovering/creating a new me will be down close to home; where medical care and support is close at hand or at the very most a phone call away.

29 comments:

  1. Dearest Celia,

    Still, I do admire you tremendously for undertaking this challenging trip for you! It is always rewarding in a deep sense, but certainly you cannot escape yourself. You're there and you have to deal with yourself in the very same way as were it at home; wherever that is!

    Enjoy your weekend and thanks for the words, from deep down your souls...

    Mariette

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  2. I always say 'you can be miserable anywhere' and you are so right, our demons follow us.

    I am sorry you had a tough time, but look on the bright side, you survived and now know your current limitations. Or take a paid assistant :O)

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  3. Oh and a travel tip for the masses....when booking a 4 star...ask if it is our idea of 4 star or their version. In Morocco we discovered there is a big difference!

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  4. No place in this world an take the place of home.

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  5. Yea YOU for following your heart and giving it a try. Sorry about the "mess" with the hotel. I learned long ago that the star system the USA uses does not apply overseas, but I guess you learned that the hard way. Sorry.

    As Dorothy said "There's no place like home" and she is so right.

    Happy weekend hugs,
    Kat

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  6. I stopped over and am following from the Weekend Blog Hop. Sometimes it takes a journey of thousands of miles to realize that the best place in the world is really just steps away. I went back and read your story and you are truly one of the most courageous people I have "met"! Courage doesn't mean not being scared, just facing it head on, I commend you and look forward to reading more.

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  7. OH DEAREST!!!!! YOU ARE HOME! AND NO...NO I DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR EMAIL!!!! Did you get mine????

    I let you know that I would be sending your package after TODAY because I just barely got paid today. Oh my, I never got an email from you! THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS ON MY POST! WELCOME BACK and your give away will be on its way!!!

    rivani@bethel.edu

    Lovingly, Anita

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  8. I find your posts fascinating, about Peru, Argentina, and your life. A favorite quote of mine is "wherever you go, there you are", which is pretty insightful. I admire you for putting together this trip and creating great memories for you and your husband.

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  9. Hawaii is great too. I agree :(
    I have been having a hard time too. It takes time to feel better after a trauma. Know that i love you and i know that you are strong !
    HUGS
    You are the best and kindest too :)
    I'll pray for you too :)

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  10. I do understand the pre-self, I haven't stummbled upon that part of your story (yet) but having recovered from a life altering illness I so miss the pre-me, the post me is okay but I miss parts of the old me...lol if that makes sense.

    Thanks for sharing your travels and lessons learned.

    I'm out hopping, hope you'll come by Lucy's when you get a chance http://closertolucy.blogspot.com/2011/01/lets-go-to-weekend-hop.html

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  11. Hi! Thanks for linking up on the Meet & Follow Sunday blog hop!

    www.thethriftymilitarywife.com

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  12. When traveling one needs to be open to what we encounter. What we leave behind should remain behind.
    Home will never greet us when we are on an adventure. So with that in mind enjoy traveling.

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  13. i want to go to the carribean islands! I am your newest follower and would love a follow back at http://mizzreviewlady-mommyreviews.blogspot.com/
    Thanks.

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  14. Bonjour Celia,
    I am sorry to hear you had a difficult trip, but so happy that you had your MR G with you. You tried and made it through, don't be hard on yourself - I am proud of you!
    We need to catch up via email - I miss all our virtual talks.
    Take care and welcome home, there really is nothing like it!
    Mimi

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  15. I'm a new follower, found you the Sunday Blog Hop, please feel free sometime to stop by my blog, and link up to my Swimmin by Sunday Blog Hop to.
    http://www.nontypicalmom.com/

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  16. Your story is so familiar to me. A year ago I went on a 5-week vacation to the States, hoping that when I returned I would have some more answers to my life questions. I guess I thought that I would have a miracle epiphany while away... But as I returned home I was just as clueless as I left! I've learned that you can't run away from your problems and fears.

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  17. Stopping by to follow your wonderful blog from Relax and Surf Sunday! Hope that you will stop by my blog and do the same!

    Blessings,
    Jennifer
    www.jennifersikora.com

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  18. Sounds like it was a productive trip, even though it may not have felt that way when you were there. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you, but it does sound like you found some peace within while you were gone!

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  19. My dear friend,
    What a shame that you did not get to enjoy your trip as you hoped. It is true that you cannot escape your demons but you have nevertheless made strides forward. Argentina would not be my first choice of destination after all that you have been through..a couple of weeks on Mallorca would be all I would want to face. Travelling is always demanding and often disappointing for many.
    Time will help and you will gradually come to terms with who you are now but the road is never easy. However one thing is for certain you have the hearts of many people who wish you well on your journey, mine included.

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  20. Home sweet home always. A new follower from Meet & Follow Sunday. See you.

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  21. Hi So glad you stopped by, I had lost your url! Well done for taking a beautiful big risk and coming through it so well, your trip sounds amazing! It is was a exactly a year this xmas since my 15 year old sons accident, he still has fears, but I believe he will push through them in his own time. Sharon xx

    http://mypassporttostyle.blogspot.com

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  22. Here for the relax & surf hop. I am a follower. Hope you will come follow me back. I have 3 blogs please feel free to just pick one to follow
    Sheri
    http://miraclemomas.com
    http://onebusymoma.net
    http://coffeeshopdeals.com

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  23. Its a shame the trip wasn't as good as you expected. You are right though, you can't escape from feelings and emotions no matter where you go but at least you have been to these amazing places and experienced different cultures that not many people would be able to xxx

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  24. That's right, darling.
    We travel, but we bring with us all the things that are in us......
    Sometimes it just makes us realize that "there's no place like home".
    I hope you're feeling better, my angel.
    I'm already home too, it was a pity we didn't contact, but I'm sure there will be a time for us ;)
    Tons of love
    xoxo

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  25. Have enjoyed reading this~I look forward to reading more ~~Followed you from Give It To Me Monday~~Shari

    http://www.1grown2togo.blogspot.com

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  26. I am so sorry that your trip did not yield the answers that you were wishing for ~ But happy to know that you are home safe and that your passion for living and exploring was exercized and is not lost...There are so many wonderfully beautiful places to visit on our North American continent.
    Have a wonderful week and recharge all of your batteries...
    Nathalie

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  27. Dear Celia,

    I am sorry your journey was so rough. Despite the troubles, it sounds like you did learn something from the experience. Unfortunately, we cannot run from our demons we just have to turn around to face and deal with them. Not an easy task to accomplish, but once it is accomplished it gives us a wonderful sense of freedom.

    Mr. G sounds like a wonderful man and one who accepts you for who you are. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Hugs,
    Tracy

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  28. when i first started reading i was so hopeful that this adventure would give you all that you were hoping for. i'm sorry to hear that it was a bit more of a "mis"adventure than an adventure. but i am glad that you did it - even though it wasn't exactly what you wanted!

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