Jet-setter Jones

Sometimes the best days come in the most unexpected packages.

I woke the other day to a barrage of anxiety. I was panic stricken, miserable, scared and I didn’t know why. I didn’t know what to do with myself and how to overcome it.  I couldn’t face being locked in that bathroom painting again all day (don’t get me wrong, I love it but I’ve been in there for 8 hours a day every day for the last 4 weeks and I’m going a bit stir crazy ) but I felt like I needed to be doing that. Like when you have an assignment due at uni and you’re procrastinating, but you may as well not be because all you can think about is how you should be doing it and relaxing is impossible.

My friend who I’m staying with out here, Neil, suggested I walk up to go see his new plot of land with him. Create a distraction, get some fresh air and chill out. There’s a new bar and restaurant, Dragonfly, built into the cliffs; best spot on the island. We sat for a while before Neil had to get back to work so I stayed for an hour or two looking out to sea and eating homemade garlic bread. I could breathe again.

When I came back down from the village some plans were being hatched for a big evening. It was some of the locals last night here and there were rumours of a beach bonfire and plankton swimming. Feeling happier, I painted for an hour before sitting with Noodles, one of the people leaving, and having some drinks.

The night ended with a bonfire, phosphorescent plankton swimming and laughing hysterically with new friends. I’m so glad I went plankton swimming again because when we did it here at New Year’s Eve, it was weak. A bucket item list that left me disappointed.

This was amazing. They were everywhere, it was like something out of Avatar. Glowing green and luminescent under a lightning filled sky.
This day turned out to be one of the highlights of my entire trip so far and nothing really happened. It’s the little things. It’s strange how a day that started so horrendously could wind up being so perfect.

Wait for a dark night, wait for some friends or maybe a new lover, grab yourself a snorkel, make yourself a bonfire, fill yourself with rum. Then go plankton swimming; have fun. It’s everything it’s cracked out to be.

It’s taken me three visits to this little island that was previously just a stop over – a place to visit my friend – to fall in love with it and the people residing there.

I take a long time to come out of my shell but now I feel like I can be myself with this team and even be part of them. This place is filled with beautiful people and I have now officially fallen in love with the village and it’s inhabitants.

I’m already dreading leaving and it’s still five weeks away. But that’s five weeks to fall even deeper. I think a little piece of my soul may just stay behind with my best friend and the all new ones who live and work alongside him.

This one is for you, Grandad, I know that at the end you looked forward to reading my blog and seeing how much fun I am having, I’m sorry I’ve not written more recently. Rest in peace, you legend. I love you