The Beginning of Something New

I walk down a narrow road into a thick palm tree lined path that I see no end to. It seems mysterious and uncertain as this is my first time going down this road. I’m dropping off my glass jug to the cow farmer at the end of the road, where I can buy a liter of fresh milk for only a dollar! The best bargain on the island! I place the bottle on a small bench next to a couple of other bottles and head back into the palm tree covered path home. Heading down the overly steep hill to where my house welcomes me on the left with mountains in the back and the wondrous sea in front of me. I breathe in, there’s a slight breeze passing and the sun isn’t out yet. It’s about two pm and I’ve just finished work, now I’m off to Joy’s Shop to buy tomatoes, onions, garlic and coconut milk. Tonight I’ll make tomato soup. I gather the groceries and shove them in a box and back up the hill I go to my house. I throw all the veg in the oven to roast and then I puree it and add coconut milk. Louis Armstrong serenades me as the house begins to fill with herbs and my stomach grumbles. I watch the sunset as I slurp down my soup. It’s getting cold out so I decide to watch a film tonight and read. 

I guess I thought living on my own would be more glamorous but I find myself so content with my bowl of tomato soup and the breeze and my bottle of fresh cows milk. I’m proud of what I’ve made myself here, it’s nothing extraordinary but it’s mine. Having something that’s mine feels special regardless of it’s value to others. Tomorrow I’ll make my oatmeal, go for a days hike and then go snorkeling. It’s simple and it’s becoming more comfortable. I have a handful of friends and I occasionally go to the beach bbq but other than that my day consists of learning how to live on my own. I’ve always struggled with being by myself and found social media and instant messaging a way to avoid loneliness. Without technology and that urgent demand to respond to people I find myself living a more fulfilled life. Yes, I still go on my phone and check up on all my friends and send pictures of the island but I don’t get reception everywhere on the island. I only have wifi at the museum and it’s godly expensive so I find myself going on my phone less and less.