The Ocean

Today was my first day back.  Actually my first time in 2008.  I'd forgotten what it felt like, the joy and pleasure of immersing myself and letting the water permeate my skin and change my constitution.

I set a sacred date with myself today.  After cleaning the house and doing some laundry, I knew I needed to detox and cleanse and be one with nature.  I hopped into the car and 10 minutes later, I am sitting in the sand.  I create and close my circle of shells, sponges and feather.  I soak up the sun and warm up my bones.  I meditate and quiet my mind as I listen to the waves lap the shore.  I ask for permission to enter.  And then I run down to the water.

The water is so cold.  Freezing to my warm blooded organism.  And yet, I keep on approaching, preparing to dive in to the next wave, knowing that head on approach makes it easier in the long run.  Submersed in the water I become and out I jump, shivering and breathing in deep, acknowledging the cold.  And tasting the salt.  And then I leap into the next wave.  I open my eyes underwater, marveling at the motion of the sand on the ocean floor.  Feeling saltiness and a little sting, my eyes adjust.  I jump up again and feel my body warming up as I acclimate to the water's temperature.

So crisp and invigorating.  So cleansing and pure.  So much fun!!!  When had I forgotten how much joy the ocean brings me? 

I feel the molecules of ocean water penetrate my skin and start exchanging and squeezing out the old water cells filled with toxins of sadness and fear.  The process of osmosis is taking hold and shifting my energy.  From my head down to my toes, I embrace her sandy, salty waters and open myself to the healing process, feeling the balancing of my body's water content and the ocean's liquid.  I become one with the ocean and I surrender.  I fall back.  And the ocean embraces me and holds me.  I float.  

As I lay there in the water and look up at the clear skies I remember the sensation of going with the flow.  Letting the waves caress me and take me up and down as I release any muscle tension and let go; accepting the gentle and loving rhythm of the ocean, flowing under me, through me and within me.

Day 1 at Sea - Key West

We slept with the doors open so we could hear the ocean and feel the breezes.  And of course, peek out at all the stars in the sky.  As we docked in Key West the sun came up to greet us.  What a beautiful morning!!!

WSM Noah and I were among the first people off the ship.  We took the shuttle into downtown Key West.  We walked on Duval Street and approximately 12 blocks to Pirate Scooter Rentals where Dave hooked us up with  a 6 person electric cart. What a blast!!!    We took her for a spin and drove to Smathers Beach to soak up some sun. 

At 9:15 a.m., we returned to Mallory Square to pick up the Elders and the Great Aunties as they were disembarking from their shuttle.  We got everyone seated and seatbelted and away we went.

WSM Noah lived in Key West for seven years in his previous lifetime.  He drove and showed us points of interest like the Truman Annex, Hemingway's House and back to the Southernmost Point (sign that says that Cuba is 90 miles away).

We stopped to get some genuine Key Lime Pie - one huge serving and seven forks so we could all sample some sweetness before lunch.   The electric cart ride was breezy and comfy.  And then we stopped for bathroom breaks.  And then we went to find some conch.  We found a nice spot on the water called Dante's where we filled up on conch fritters and chowder.  Yum, yum, yum.

And then we cruised down Duval Street and dropped the Elders at the shuttle to go back to the cruise for a nap.  WSM Noah and I took our cart for another little spin and a walk through Key West' cemetery.  I met an awesome tree and we communed.  She allowed me to take a picture in her arms.

We then dropped off our cart and did some shopping before picking up the shuttle back to the boat.  At 2:00 p.m. the Century set sail again.  We napped and walked around the ship and set up massages for the next evening.  We turned on the 24 hour Cirque de Soleil channel and enjoyed one of the shows we had seen in person, La Nouba.  So nice to see it from so many angles after seeing it live.

And as the sun was descending, we got dressed all fancy for Formal Night in the main dining room.

For more pics of our adventure in Key west, check out Key West &  Cool Sights