save a horse. ride a donkey.
Hi All: just returned from an awesome holiday out to the Kenyan coast to a little island named Lamu. I wrote and read and basked in the sun. It was awesome. Here's a post about my time on a donkey from Thursday.
It occurred to me yesterday, big smile on my face, ropes loose through my hands, sitting on a donkey....a little bit drunk, that everyone should have the opportunity to sit on a donkey, ropes in their hands, and ride it down the coast...a little bit drunk.
Here in Lamu there is an even ratio of people to donkeys, so you get used to seeing these donkeys cruising around. They are quite cute, short legs, big heads, goofy looks on their faces. Their teeth kinda freak me out though, they’re HUGE, it reminds me of my gramma’s friend in the nursing home who’s dentures seemed way to big for her mouth, I always avoided that lady.
Yesterday I took the liberty of strolling around. I had a 2-hour breakfast of mango’s and passion fruit, banana pancakes and coffee. At approximately I’m-not-sure-what-time, I began meandering down to the Indian Ocean, and it’s just incredible. It’s low season right now, so it’s just me, and the ocean, and some man that keeps trying to sell me samosa’s from a basket.
And oh, the deep breaths here, they get down deep into the bottom of your lungs. It’s so refreshing. I plopped myself down on the beach, after a swim that consisted of the doggy paddle and running in the shallow end and moving my arms in circular motions (I’m a terrible swimmer) and then I took a nap. I was awakened by a very tan man with crazy curly hair, and an accent that sounds like california surfer meets lamu islander, who informed me that the tide was coming in, so I should ‘move it on up da’ beach seester.’ And so I did.
I kept it moving to a big beautiful hotel where people go to splurge on Lamu called the Peponi. My roommate and co-worker Angie sent me with a checklist of things I must do in Lamu, and one of them was to have an ‘old pal’ at Peponi (thank you ANGIE!). The old pal is this delicious blend of gin and lemon and bitters and sugar around the top of the glass. It was cold, and I was hot, but I drank it slowly slowly, enjoying every sip. I happily paid more for it than I do for a whole week’s worth of lunch back in Nairobi and again continued on my way.
The guy with the crazy hair and tan was back, which didnt surprise me at all (he reminds me of Adam Sandlers best friend in 50 first dates), because I am a townie magnet. In college, in the grocery store, at a rest stop in Ohio...doesnt matter. If you are a little bit weird and freak most other people out, chances are, we’re going to have a conversation. I hope I never lose this magnetic charm : )
He tells me his name, but I cant remember it, cause the gin cancelled that out, and tells me that I must go ride a donkey, and hey, as luck would have it there is one ‘right down there!‘ So I go down and meet his friend (cant remember the friends name) and his Donkey named Calvin (cause no one forgets a donkey’s name) and for the equivalent of 2 US dollars I rode a donkey around for about half an hour.
At this point the gin has wore off, so it’s just pure hilarious times as I’m riding a donkey like a horse down the coast: and I’m thinking to myself, how the hell is this my life? The past few months of my life have felt like a lifetime, the first 2 months, I was just processing the heck out of things, frozen in fear, captive to my expectations, as my mentor would put it, I was ‘a gong show.’ And these final 2 months I’m just feeling solid. Like I crossed over. Turned the corner. Broke the heck down to break the heck through. I’m still confused, and I still have fear, but it all feels different, I feel different...free.
Life is crazy like that. It will give you exactly what you need. Exactly what you ask for. All you have to do is pay attention, and then you must say yes. If it scares you: say yes. If you’re not sure: say yes. If you’ll always wonder ‘what if’...SAY YES!
I’m so glad I said yes to this little 3-day holiday. To get to my favorite place: the ocean. To celebrate all that has been, every decision and choice I have ever made that has led me to this exact moment. I am not sure what is next for me (and any future employers out there please know I do not make a habit out of day-drinking : ) but I know that I am meant for big waves and big chances and big bold LOUD declarations of YES. I’m ready for what’s next to reveal itself. I’m paying attention universe, show me.
And if you get a chance, to ride a donkey, down the coast, a little bit drunk...into the sunset nonetheless.
say yes.
