Back from Blogging Vacation: My Vacation

I almost started by saying that if you've been following me on instagram or twitter then you would know that I was on vacation, but I remembered how annoying that is when I go to other people's blogs. It's annoying because people who read blogs are not worried or concerned about what you already mentioned on those other platforms - they are coming to read a post and get a little bit more all at once.

In my case, considering how long I have been gone, a little bit more would probably need to be a book, but just for the sake of a return this will be about the most recent vacation I just came back from about a week ago kind of marking my return from hiatus after the previous vacation. All of 2013 was pretty much a roller coaster and after a tough stretch at work and THE LONGESTEST WINTER EVER I knew I needed to go somewhere sunny quick! St. Thomas it was. I tried to rally some friends and initially was flexible with dates until I saw myself pushing it further and further away to make it work for others ...STOP! I booked the ticket and prepared myself to go solo if I had to. I'd always wanted to after all. And so it happened that even the maybe confirmed they wouldn't be able to. Almost all my bathing suits, shorts and tank tops got ourselves into the no-check in duffle bag and made our way.

(the view from the taxi bus from the airport winding up and around the hilly roads) 

(selected holiday reading - always loved his work and this being his last still love his voice #RIP)

(the first evening and dinner at Mafolie up on yet another hill overlooking the water) 

I do have to admit that the food was not as "Caribbean" as I was expecting and didn't really remember from my first trip. At this restaurant the most CAribbean thing they had on the menu was jerk chicken and fries so I went with that the food pictured is what  I got. More like a garlicky white wine sauce. It tasted good, BUT was NOT "jerk". I had to keep reminding myself that it is US Virgin and that most of the food/restaurants are run by white mainlanders vs. Black islanders who have more of the "Caribbean" identity. Nice to walk around with a beer though (not a Heinny fan, but for starters & on vacation it's ok) :)

So many people I met there kept asking me if I had come for Carnival and my answer was always a quick no because to be fair I bought my ticket solely to escape to somewhere consistently above freezing and less than $500 roundtrip away.I got there the day before official Carnival so went to the grounds where everything was set up and met some cool Ques!

 

Most of the drink and food stands for Carnival are set up the night before so stragglers could buy drinks as some of the vendors fully intended to be spending the night in their stands prepping, setting up and even painting to decorate. The  lady to the right was freshly painted on a drink stand. The 2 Ques are originally from St. Thomas, but one went to Morehouse in Atlanta and the other to Howard here in DC - my mama's alma mater! Good drinks and relatively cheap and they were fundraising as a fraternity for a school based charity. I had to ask for the tongue wag with the arm and they were more than happy and proud to represent!

(the main street in downtown St. Thomas; getting into the water on Coki Beach)

(panoramic view where I was staying is to the right)

(on the ferry to St. John - feeling so satisfied with life)

(soaking up some sun at Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI)

(marinating)

(my new astrologer, rasta and coconut man)

(sunset and getting ready to ferry back to St. Thomas)

(riding around in the jeep - even more sun)

(sunset on the ferry)

(sunrise from my room)

(best meal = fish and funji at Seaplane) 

(watching the sea plane take off from lunch at the restaurant)

I could go on and on as I took entirely too many pictures, but I think you get it by now. It was at worst as beautiful as the pictures look, but being fully present there and in my own company was a feeling out of this  world. To be so aware of one's own vulnerability and strength all at the same time....I really really love myself. I was able to confirm the fact that I can be anywhere in the world whether alone or with other people and ALWAYS be guaranteed to be in good company. I do plan on going back and hopefully take some friends and loved ones to share the experience with.

Before this trip I went on a 6 country Euro trip over 12 days with my mom so more on that to come. When I went on it I'd taken another hiatus so much to talk about :)

Let me get all the way caught up on my posts.

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*@afropolitaine*