Three Countries, Three days, three weeks.

This all began about a month ago, I was on the Island of Roatan, as you can see its in the Caribbean, of the coast of Honduras. I had a friend there old friend that was having serious problems with visa and passports, and just living in Roatan. I was teaching Zumba, doing on line work, dealing with a number of really horrible situations. He and talked much, and resolved some issues that were part of our separation in friendship. We resolved the issues, and he shared with me his desire to leave and go back to Costa Rica where we have been previously. Now this is just a friend almost like family to me, we ended up before leaving House sitting in the jungle in a lovely house private on a dirt road with very little access to the real world. Nature was abound and in the morning peaceful and filled with wildlife.

With much talking and thought, we both decided to leave the island, it was time. The issues with the roads, being all tore up, the black water sludge that was being pumped into the sea, lack of tourism, and poor economy, crime rate escalating, murders, muggings, taxi's holding you at gun point. Made this beautiful place become a scary situation, especially at night. Roatan is a beautiful place,but with the amount of drug deals that come directly into the island the amount of gangs that are infiltrating the island, it was dangerous. We held on to our faith, believed we could go and make a way back in Costa Rica. I did some research, found that a small town called Quepos, right around the corner of Manuel Antonio, had some good possibilities for both him and I, continuing my research, found its resorts, hotels restaurants, still draw lots and lots of people. The Marina had just renew there financing and now in a short time the finishing of this marina will begin and produce more revenue for this little fishing village off the coast of Pacific Ocean.

The Trip was thoroughly thought out, I planned so it was not a struggle to make our way back to Costa Rica
. I helped fix up this house we were sitting, the realtor came took photos and before we knew it the house was sold. The date was on the 22nd of  November that the owner was taking occupancy.

OUR DATE WAS SET. On the 21st, We took a ferry from the island at 6:30 am loaded down with three suitcases, a carry on, computer and banners I boarded the Ferry. An hour long tripin to the sunrise to the mainland Honduras. From Honduras I paid a taxi to take me to the bus station to go to Teguchigalpa. I got there just in time to buy the ticket and board the bus. This trip was hours and hours the whole day actually traveling through mainland Honduras. Beautiful but dangerous country,various types of terrain, from flat farmlands to steep rocky mountains. Honduras is now the number one country in the world for crime and murder, so gracefully left with out a problem. I spent the night in a seedy, dirty little hotel around the corner from the bus station. The noise level at night was horrible. Screaming drunks, prostitutes, and motorcycles blasting most of the night. I ate at a little Chinese Restaurant across the way that was outrageously good and cheap. The next morning at 5:45 I dragged all that luggage around the corner one block to the Tica Bus Station and bought the next leg of the trip.

Nicaragua, Entered the bus after eating breakfast at the bus station in a tiny little soda on the side of the station that actually was quite nice and had plants and a parrot. The food typical Honduran, not my favorite. This bus was beautiful, luxury style, with air and bathroom, Crossing the boarder in Honduras to Nicaragua,simple but had to unload all the luggage our self and pass through customs, Although the Nica's, were kind to me and didn't search anything and passed me right through the fee then dollars. The trip was gorgeous and pleasant, the sites in Nicaragua are very pretty and memorable.  Ometepe, is spectacular to see in real life.  I was smiling most of the time thinking how amazing this is, and how I had very little money to do this and managed to make it happen.

I got in this brain wave, playing games with myself on the bus, to see if I really had this ability that my friend says I have. For many years, I feel or think something, and its strong and then it comes to past generally with in the day or the hour. So I thought ok If I have this, lets see if I can make it work. So I just let my mind go, saying I want to see whats coming before it comes. I thought of a man in a red shirt, I saw it in my minds eye, and about 20 seconds later a huge group of people were walking on the road side and in the middle was a man in a red shirt?? ok that was fun, I continued to do this and was shocked at what was happening during the ride through Nicaragua Wow I really do have this if I could only just tap into it and make it work for me! Other friends call me Bruja, this is a slang word for witch, but its not a bad connotation like Americans think. It means you know things before they happen. Continuing on the trip it took most of the day to cross Nicaragua,Lovely country. I saw an old ox cart with oxen a some areas that have not progress through time. I saw brick makers making bricks in the hot sun, Many Sugar cane fields, lots of coffee plantations, Banana plantations, gorgeous hills and mountains. Rich valleys with crops of sorghum,and spices. A really shocking area of Homes like something Out of California's Pasadena, or Beverly hills??? Wow... and then very poor shacks made of nothing but tin and dirt floors. Children playing with no clothes on, dogs running a muck, and chickens and turkeys wandering about everywhere.

Then we got into Managua, interesting metropolitan city. They day Dangerous after 10 at night. Nice that Tica bus now has hotels built into the bus station, so you disembark, and unload and walk around the bend and there is the check in counter for the very nice modern clean classy small hotels with about 25 or so rooms. Indoor gardens, birds, and really shockingly modern!
Rooms rate 23 a night, very reasonable, the beds were beautiful the best so far in months, the sheets smelled of vanilla, the pillows crisp and so comfortable, towels perfectly laundered and soft.

I saw this couple board the bus in Teguch, and I watched them in the bus as we traveled. The woman was vibrant, and man quiet and introverted. Such opposites in personalities. I loved her, was Leary of him. But when I was checking in they were also, so I asked what they planned on doing after check in. Going to eat and have a drink. I asked If could go along with them, and of course they said yes.

So we all went in a taxi to the of all things the Mall in Managua, cool multi level mall with lots of restaurants and things to see. Hadn't been shopping in months and months, although I didn't buy anything, not much money to spend it was fun to watch the people and look at the products, VERY CHEAP very cool and fun. I ate at a bbq Nica style in the mall, My god that was good good.. had a drink of Flor de cana, had to that is the countries rum! and then back the room. To rise early in the morning to load and move on.

Heading towards, Costa Rica we moved very fast, the little game I played earlier I continued on this leg, I had a sense that something was going to happen to the bus, I actually spoke it out about five minutes in to the new part of the journey. I felt it, although the bus sounded fine I could sense something was going to happen, that we were either going to be stuck or transferred to another bus.

Then I forgot about it for about two hours, this particular driver was hauling ass, he was moving so fast it was making me feel sick to see the country side flying by. We got into Granada, and I felt really strongly about the mechanical problems of the bus. Although no sign at all no smell, nothing. As soon as we passed Grenada, I smelled a burning of oil or fluid,  then about 20 minutes later I heard it. I heard some sort of strange noise, he kept going passing cars, big trucks, buses and whatever cows were on the road. I noticed he was having trouble shifting gears, hmmm Transmission problems?? Then we crossed the boarder into Costa Rica. That was a mess, Getting into Costa Rica now is a task and half. Show you have cash money more than two hundred I was told, Show you have credit cards, show you have  valid passport, where are you going, search through your things, how long are you there?? Well I was smart when I went to customs I told them I was living here before, I had some business to do, and well they passed me right through with no issues, of course I speak Spanish and I smiled allot this helps! The bus sat for about half or more hour, when we loaded back up, I knew something was going to happen. He started it up and it went but it was struggling.

I don't think anyone else noticed everyone was eating laughing talking. I listened to the engine, We went about 10 miles and then we stopped to let people out, when we stopped the bus just croaked.  When he tried to go it wouldn't move, no one even noticed then I knew I told my friend lets get out things from above were going to transfer to another bus, he was shocked saying what are you talking about. I said get our things lets get prepared, about five or more minutes past, the driver got off the bus went to the back opened up the engine area, I saw him get tools, no one else was watching, I got our things and started to get out, then he came and told us I was the first one out the door. I went right across the street, bought a celuar chip and got my CR phone right then. I knew we were going to be stuck and so I figure make the best of the time. We ended up transferring to another bus making us about two hours late into San Jose.

I called my friend in Santa Anna, this is who we were going to stay with while trying to get to Manuel Antonio south, to find a place to live. He came but four hours later, sitting in the bus station till almost 11 at night, tired hungry and wanted to sleep. I ended up staying in Santa Anna for some three weeks, not able to find a place in Manuel Antonio, online or in the two trips I made to there to find a place. Finally five days ago I hooked up with a company called Costa Rican places here in Manuel Antonio, and this lady found me a small, clean affordable place. I have no furniture, hardly any food, didn't celebrate Christmas, but I am safe and sound and with shelter now.

A three day, trip From Roatan Island to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica was a great trip! inexpensive and interesting. Now I am here in Quepos, finding its changing daily developing, and becoming a very cute little town. The new bridges and road has obviously change the life of this dead little fishing village. Now its seemingly teaming with life and beginning to redevelope, I like that I am close to everything, walking distance, I do miss the nature and gardens, but in time I hope to have orchids and plants and make the place a little doll house.  I will be teaching Zumba here soon in the Teatro Copaza so stay tuned for more adventures.

THINKING ABOUT THE MODERN GYPSY WRITINGS

When I began this blog it was only about sharing with my friends and Family what life I had in Central America outside of USA. It has been years of living in Central America, with many adventures, travels, incidents accidents, miracles and disasters. I have experienced some things in life that even if you tried to describe it there is no way you can picture the cultural changes and life changes I have been through. Strangely enough My children don't really ask me about my life or my adventures or what I have experience so now instead of making my family aware and friends aware, its mostly about writing and sharing my thoughts on paper. OR should I say on computer?

  I do miss Costa Rica unfortunately the danger factor here caused me to come to Roatan, although Honduras according to the press, it is the most dangerous place to live. EVERY WHERE IN THE WORLD NOW HAS IT'S very dangerous and bad sides exposed to the press. But seldom are the good points put into blogs, Facebook groups or pages or on the net. With this in mind, lately I have been blogging about Zumba,  Fitness Program that Changed my life when I visited USA this last time. I knew about Zumba saw the videos, but to do it live with huge groups of people impressed me so much that I realized this was something that belonged in my life. THAT I WANTED TO BRING BACK TO ROATAN HONDURAS and hopefully effect others lives as well.

Its not a salvation by any means , I know there is much more serious causes out there and I read and am Aware but its something that I have passion for and It does effect lives.

 I can say that living here is an Adventure in itself, STILL with out a car, transportation is really a whole process here. When my car was stolen some four years ago and ran into a building by the thieves catching it on fire, I Never realized that I would be four years later on foot still. Although like Zumba it build strength when you have to walk every where, and gives you humbleness, BUT I STILL WISH someone once in a while would stop and pick me up!!! The simple life of walking on dirt streets, and seeing things as you walk has a changing effect on you. Recently when walking down the path to the main road I had a flash back of a day when I was living in Ibiza Spain shortly after the thief of my car, ( I went to Ibiza to see it and work and my gypsy adventure was out of frustration with robberies and crime so I gather up my airfare and just left sought work that is why I went ok) now back to the walk.. I was walking here in Roatan making my way to the main road to catch a taxi to go to my Morning class, when I flashed back to the one day I walked in the morning from My apartment in Jesus, to the other side of Ibiza this took hours, I was all dressed nice, took a cut across a field and saw interesting mud houses, like back in the old days turrets and strange storage tanks made of stone.

In the flash, I began to realize that we as people are only as strong as we want to be, How hard this was for me someone who had three vehicles at one point in my life to now on my feet day after day.. STILL AM, I am not complaining by any means but the point here is With walking, my exercising on top of the struggling to live, I have seen and experience something that most people who get in the car and wizz past don't see or realize. The disasters, the drama, the terrible things I have experienced has made me become wiser for whom I am  not sure yet. But those disasters has created a strong individual, that still to this day want's to be young and be the Modern Gypsy.  I am not the Gypsy like you would automatically think of living in a little cart being pulled down the road by horses, but a Gypsy in respect that they love life no matter what, they find ways to make things work and they go on adventures and find place to live.

Something about not owning much is freeing, I use to have everything. Homes, cars, beautiful gardens, a business that was at one point thriving, BUT WITH ALL that came a pile of stress and bills! now I own nothing and I have very little stress and well no bills.  


I am hoping that with this New Career Zumba Fitness I can help others and it carries me to some very interesting places in the world! I want to see more ( and not just by walking)

Musica! ZUMBA, TROPICAL HEAT

STARTED THE ZUMBA IN ROATAN classes this week, it seems to be going well, people are talking and actually showing up!! I love to dance if you are a previous reader of my blog you will know this about me from years back, this is nothing new for me. Something about the tropical heat and the Music that makes me move like a crazy woman.

 So funny I went to Cool Beans a darling coffee shop in West Bay last night it was like a Q.A meeting that someone has created lots of people where there, when I arrived there were a couple of people were saying there is the zumba lady. One lady came to me and said I don't think you have bones in your body cause I can not believe how you move! that was funny I laughed.. heck yeah I have bones and right now there hurting! but hey I keep moving and I know that through this lives are going to be changed!

 Mine is~~~~~~~ I am so grateful so dragging my sad depressed body and mind to Zumba when I did! I THANK BETO! GINA! TANYA! ABRAHAM... so being so talented and shaking the world.  FOR JAHNEA AND ANDREW JENNIFER! and KIM WITHERSPOON! wow all you guys are amazing dancers! thank you

I miss the salsa dancing I wish there was a club here on the island where I could do that too! But who knows I may be going to Costa Rica in a two months to do the LOS SUENOS Again, and If I do YOU BETTER BELIEVE I AM GOING SALSA DANCING! Right now I am listening to Salsa trying to get motivated for my ten AM Class, I hope people show up???

The tropics produce some of the best music ever, not to mention the best coffee in the world comes from Central America!  (got that going too) Well just an update and I want to say hi to all my blogger fans!
Come see me in Roatan dance with me and enjoy the heat!

READING BACK A FEW MONTHS AGO

Just a few months ago I wrote on my blog about how I was wanting to go back and how I missed Central America, Talking about this ZUMBA craz and how I was listening and dancing to this music for real months and years back and now it has become my daily work out. Just 7 months ago I was wishing and now I am back.

This reminds me of something, It is this, when you want something bad enough you can manifest it, and by that I mean. You actually bring it to life, this concept although can be dangerous as well, because instead of a positive thing you manifest you likewise can manifest the negative things you dwell on or fear. But some how I remained in positive frame and brought back to my life what I have learned to love.

This Latin American life is not for everyone, even so there are many different types of people now living in Latin America, it is a tough one. Resilient I think is a good word to describe it, patience is probably the biggest lesson gringos, Canadians and extranjeros have to learn. Why? because it just moves slow and the reaction time is completely different than those North American cultures or European, English Cultures.

THINGS TAKE TIME to get done, no one moves fast.

Saying that! I am now who would have known a ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR, EX INTERIOR< LANDSCAPE AND SPECIAL EVENT DESIGNER GONE ZUMBAADDICT. Never would have told you that a year ago. In relation to the Things go slow, I have two locations to being my Dancing classes, Exercise Fitness programs. One is a very beautiful location but is suited only for the people on that end of the island and for tourists.

The other is in an old rustic location and yes its rustic, but for some reason I like the space. The dance floor is huge the right type the way it sit facing the sea is really cool. BUTTTTT RIGHT NOW I HAVE NO SOUND SYSTEM. None, being a little bit put off, and discouraged this evening I realize how slow things are around here and no one moves to fix it. Now its up to me to find a way to put music in this beautiful RUSTIC LOCATION, just so I can live out my ZUMBA desires and my passion for dancing.

Problem is, things move slow, the open house is in a week, you can't just go and get a stereo or and IPOD system I don't honestly think there is a place here that sells them. AND if they did It would be so expensive its not possible. FRANKLY I don't even have the money to do any sort of sound I am just beginning, single alone No work, and just returned back. FRUSTRATION already set in. So tonight in talking to one of my zumba girls in USA she said ASK. SO right now I am asking. I need a miracle for this to happen. MOST IMPORTANTLY THIS TYPE OF FITNESS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC, LATIN MUSIC ZUMBA MUSIC, has some American in there but not much. How can you shake your A$$$ with no SOUND.

Anyone that really knows me, KNOWS I LOVE TO DANCE.

MAKE IT MOVE MAKE IT HAPPEN lend it borrow it, rent it someone... CLIMBING MOUNTAINS means success?

Zumba Roatan & Back in the Tropics

Zumba brought me back, I hope it keeps me here for a while? I was doing Zumba every day in USA that was the only thing really aside from my darling grandson that kept me alive and going.

He would go with me at least once a week to Zumba and he actually danced right along with me. Kids love that music, he had a little friend there named Junior. Those two would dance and cut up and really enjoy the Latino music, sing the songs really shake it.

Junior is the son of a woman I met while doing Zumba, Shawna, she and I became really close there for a few months and developed a very nice friendship. She was an amazing dancer! She inspired me to move and we were always side by side exercising together. I hope some day she will come to visit me in Central America.

Now I have studied with the best Gina, and Abraham from the Zumba corporation to learn to be an instructor and I plan to teach in Honduras. Making the 126Th country for Zumba Fitness. It will be listed in the Zumba class finder in Honduras international Division of Zumba fitness.

It was a long flight back I actually had to disembark one plane because it had no pressure readings in it right before we began to take off. We had to wait about 25 minutes to find another plane and load up take off out of phoenix. Heading to Houston we landed about three fifteen am. I tried to sleep but all the cleaning people in the airport were so loud it was impossible, my connecting flight was at ten am. I landed in At 12:15, it was so hot I was in shock, still not really adjusted yet and its been a week today.

I believe it may take a while. I been setting goals on finding the right location for the classes and I believe I have found them. I hope my body can do this? I did ok in the cooler weather but this heat makes you sweat ten times more. You don't even have to move to sweat you just do!

But today was a cool day, It rained most of the day, waking up the sound of Tropical rain to me is beautiful, much different than the Pacific northwest rain. COLD DARK DREARY. Here its hot light, and humid. The smell of the rain on the plants to me is refreshing. I love the way this one lily smells here when it rains, its white and has a sent that is carried for many feet. YES we do have heavy rains its a hurricane storm they say but we will see. I been through a few of these tropical Storms. Normally its all hype, scaring away the tourists. Right now its raining pretty heavy but no wind and it is fresh for the first time in a week. I bet I sleep super well tonight.

I am missing my little Zumba dancer, I Talk to him today on Skype amazing Skype he did his little dance for me. I sang a song for him and he did his moves for me. Darling little Juliano... soon another little grandson will be here named Colby, I bet his is going to be a real live wire! wonder if he will dance with his NONA

Facebook pages, from Central America to USA

Coming from Central America to USA the adjustment has been hard again. I try to be open minded but wow its tough here in USA .

I been working on several things in the past few months and one is learning the social media world. Working on building pages first for an Event called " Big Sip Oregon" an event that took place in March in Portland Oregon. This was a wine tasting event where they sold very great quality wine's for discounted prices, Big sip was the first page I did for a company.

Then I moved onto Monterey Wine Festival, this page was up and running I just modified it and made it grow from 300 to 2500, then one more called the WEST COAST CHOWDER COMPETITION. That page was fun, great graphics fun sponsors although not many fans, as much and I was working it I found that if you have no imports its pretty tough to get fans.

I have learned so much even about graphics, also what days are the best for publications.

I Just did a Zumba Page, for a woman named Jahnea, its Jahnea Zumba & Advocare, this one is located in Vancouver Washington, I hope she does well with her page so far has over 100 fans in less than four days!

Soon I will be publishing one for the NORTHWEST FOOD AND WINE SHOW IN Portland Oregon. This show is in November here in Portland, I hope by then I am far far away!

I mean I love my children, but this Northwest is not for me. I been looking for work, that is a subject that could take a whole day to write on! So I am going to just leaving it as I am looking, NOTHING AT ALL YET!

I have so much background... from Designing events, weddings,fabricating floral displays, art props, decor,interior, landscape to now: Publicity, press, social media, graphics, goes on and on. I know that if I set my mind to something I can do it.

I just talk to someone about a Salsa Festival, Dancing Salsa not eating salsa, about doing his publicity for the festival. But I guess that was a wash no answer yet from him and it has been a week. I keep punching away at this key board writing, talking chatting, applying. I mean I don't how much more to do I have not given up in months on how to find something to keep my survival. Thank God right now I am at my sons house.. the reality is I WANT MY OWN PLACE I want to be independent as I am. Although this has been a real learning experience here in USA again, in more than one way! I have learned much about people, life, and a new type of work.

Last week we had one day or so of good weather, I decided to walk from the bank Columbia Credit Union to my sons house which is probably about five miles I estimate? It was nice, I walked then rested, had plenty of time to think about things,(with out a car in USA is much more difficult than in other countries) I pretty much walked because I was dropped off and didn't have transportation, even though I waited in one point for a bus for like ten minutes never came? so I continued walking, it was beautiful the walk. I realized how gorgeous all the flowers and plants are her in the Northwest, but not the same as walking in a tropical country.

No animals few birds and way to many cars! but I did enjoy the walk and made some good sense of things that has happened. Sorting out thoughts I think it healthy. By the time I got home three hours later I was so tired I laid on the sofa thinking I am grateful for being here. More tomorrow, life is different for sure! Never would dream that at this stage I would be like this? BUT the good thing I have learned more, how I use it on the other hand is another thing, but I have I really have learned more about people, your lifestyles, and about how you can do what you really set your mind too!

Central America,HOT LATIN MUSIC and how it effects you

This Zumba craz is so ironic to me, that here I was in Central America for all those years, listening to the most wild regaeton and Latino music, then learning the best of the best dances to it.

Now here in USA hearing some of the music that we would listen to in the Monkey Bar in Jaco, dancing all night long too or at Genesha, or at Le Loft and just dance dance dance.

Now this very same music is my work out music here! Makes me think of all those times fun times watching people salsa, merenge talking laughing drinking and more missing my friends such as Rossy, Raquel, and Orfa.

I loved my Orfa great Columbina girlfriend who was always so direct, out-front telling it like it is but loved the music. She would sing songs and listen to the music videos, which in Central America is still on the air. We would spend evenings just listening to music, playing dominoes on the tiny balcony. Hot balmy nights right near the beach the sound of the waves crashing, the frogs beating like drums keeping the rhythm of the music. Some how no matter how difficult it was it seemed to disappear as we played and just listen to those hot Latin hits.

They have lots of music videos there. Honestly I am dying to go back, even with all the problems some how seems so simple compared to all the issues and problems of USA. And I thought it was bad there? when I hear all the robberies, and killings, and child crimes,It was simple and refreshing knowing that I only had to worry about rent, power, phone and food. Clothing optional! it was so hot you didn't wear much. But here TONS OF CLOTHES shoes always covered up. So when its time to Zumba I am colorful and remembering my days in Central America. I hope I get to return soon, I always have been a dancer, music lover. Its not my whole life but I have to say that Music and Dancing makes things disappear and you become lost in the moment, which helps ease the pain of life. I LOVE MUSIC ( I would love to sing too I use to be an ok singer)

Curiously again no desire to write or blog in weeks. The last time I wrote was on the Mango's that use to call my name on a regular basis when I lived in the Tropics. Lately, working in the wine industry for a good friend producing the Monterey Wine festival and the West Coast Chowder competition that is about to happen in June on the 10th and 11th, has made me only concentrate on developing ways to get media coverage, on the Internet and otherwise. Hopefully this will push me to the right frame of mind to begin on my own once again writing a and doing something with that writing. I still have the desire once this Event is over to try to find the way to develop This Chocolate, pastry concept that I have had for years now. I know its a lot of work to do this publicly but I just have this desire to make these delicious delectable treats and have more than myself enjoy them. Although I have not baked one thing since I have been IN USA, actually no desire, as I said only concentrating on marketing this event. But I am growing in the media field tremendously. I find new things daily and thank god for Facebook. I mean how many of us are addicted to that social Media page? LOTS!

I have gotten over 2400 people on the Monterey Wine Festival page. I am hoping I can use this knowledge to do something for myself in the media end to develop, as I said my writings and my foodie concept.

I spend most of my TV time on stations, soaking up all I can about different foods, and productions, finding interesting companies that have developed out of flukes or dreams.

I for sure am one that has always believed in your dreams, I will admit recently NO DREAMS No DESIRES AND NO AMBITION other than working on this event for my friend.

Tonight something happened, I was watching a show on the lottery, I saw and heard something that was very familiar, when talking to a few of these people who had life changing experiences with the lottery, I heard someone say. That holding on to your dreams creates a draw, an attraction to the desires that you dream upon. Well I guess this is where I have gone wrong recently. I LOST THE DREAMS< I LOST THE DESIRE and I am hoping that I can pull myself up and get these idea's and hope and faith back to do something once again.

I am truly for those of you that THINK YOU KNOW ME and DON'T a dream maker. I have set my mind on things I wanted to do from the time I was a small girl, and made it happen. THIS IS THE KEY, SMALL CHILDREN DREAM< AND THEY IMAGINE> AND THROUGH THAT IMAGINATION COMES REALITIES! to be innocent as a child and to believe that you can do something will allow you to do it. Children do not have all those adult fears, and stress and peer pressures that make them second guess if they should do something. I watched my Darling Grandson tonight, and through that I saw , his actions, along with this program made me see, how much zest for life a child has, and how imagining yourself into something can happen. Drawing and attacting the things you want is possible. I have done it, I just have lost the desire. I think there is more out there for myself and for people who are creative and have a great imagination this is the time.
With all the developments wow its only up to you. Continuing on my quest, soon I will be taking up the challenge to dream a bigger dream and make something happen, and not just for me. But for many others to enjoy.. After all whats better than making yourself and others happy?

MANGOS SEASON MISSING IT

I sat in the little office where I am working on this Wine event for my friend Tina yesteday, eating the most delicious Mangos.

WE bought them at this quaint store in Vancouver Washington called O DONG MARKET. It is an Asian Market that Tina and frequent about twice a month. I saw them there a couple of weeks ago and only splurged on one, then I went back the following week and bought two more. I would eat mango frankly every day when I lived in Central America, I even did a nightly Mango while lying in a hammock before going to bed.

Mangos seem to induce sleep and they are the most succulent, sensual fruit, aside from Guanabana that I have ever eaten. As I was working on the internet, eating this mango my mind was traveling and thinking about the smell of the mangos as you pass through Orotina Costa Rica, one the most highly planted areas with Mangos in Costa Rica I believe?

The smell of the flowers in bloom, and then when the trees are in full fruit it is amazingly sweet. Its not intoxicating but it is luring and makes you want to stop at every little stand that is built on the side of roads. Some of these stands are just loaded with different varieties, large ones small ones. Yellow ones, Peach colored ones, Pink ones, ones tinged with melon color, ones splashed with Red and green. GOD HOW I LOVE MANGOS!

I was typing away on the computer and dreaming about all the good things I have made with these mangos, then I got on Twitter. I post and do Social Media right now for www.montereywine.com and the West Coast Chowder Competition, I was on the twitter making posts about our Sponsors, when I saw a post from Food and Wine magazine on Twitter about Mangos and what they believe was a good way to use them. I had to laugh!!! I mean I am not making fun of FOOD AND WINE but, the fact that I was eating them, dreaming of them and they were talking about them in such a way that is so high falutant, made me laugh!


They are the most delicious things ever! when you buy them here they are green and have very little flavor, but At the O DONG they sell them in a mature state. YELLOW AND GOLD and WOW sweet as candy. I think the best way to have them is just sliced with salt and chili, the way the Central Americans eat them and not all dolled up and made out to be such a fancy little fruit! They are one of my passions in life.. MANGOS GIVE ME THEM DAY AND NIGHT AND IM HAPPY!! I think I need to go to O Dong today ?? Looking forward to more MANGOSSSSSSSSSSSS

Thoughts of Sunshine Early Mornings & ZUMBA my release

I had some sort of vision's yesterday morning less than 20 minutes after I woke up. I saw myself in the early morning sunshine, waking up in my bed in Costa Rica.

The sun always came through the window so early around five A.M. and would stir me and rouse me right out of bed, immediately I would get up make my coffee and enjoy that early morning sunlight out on the balcony.

I had the same habits in Roatan, I would wake about six, hit the hard wood floors, go down stairs make the coffee and open the screen door to look at the new day. Enjoying the quiet of the morning sometimes putting on good music to welcome the day.

Then to sit on the balcony above the house and watch the birds listen to there songs and gaze out to sea. Many times reading early in the morning when your comprehension level is higher for me was a good way to start my day.

SUCH A STRETCH FROM WHAT I AM DOING NOW, How I wish I could be back doing that! As I said in the last blog, my only outlet now is ZUMBA, It takes me back to that latin life and makes me forget where I am. Makes me remember all those beautiful mornings, and impressive sunsets, with the sounds of latin music in the background.

Here my routine is drag myself out of the bedroom where I am staying, I hardly can wake up sometimes at 8:00, then go pour myself a cup of coffee that is already made, turn on the telelvision and watch and listen to all the depressing news that is out there. I SO MUCH RATHER BE WAKING TO SUNSHINE THE SOUNDS OF MUSICS AND BIRDS SINGING.

I am trying to Adjust, it sure aint coming easy here. I look so foward to the Zumba classes, kinda of pathetic that this is my only outlet?? curiously I wonder myself about this! I have a teacher her name is Jahnea, shes a young mom self supportive and is a ball of energy. She is more of a Street dancer, a hip hop type of Zumba teacher. Although she does do Latin music she excells in the hiphop versions of this exercise work out. She really works you hard, and I love her smile, shes a doll. I am happy to be in her classes, She is in Vancouver Washington teaching at the Hazel del grange.

Another Class I attend twice a week is in the same buidling, taught by Jennifer. She is a very good latin dancer, and has a huge following. I think it is good to have a varied, classs. Jennifer does not do much Regaeaton, where as Jahnea does. I enjoy the Regaeton, it reminds me of JACO BEACH COSTA RICA where I spent so much time. Its a rough kinda hip hop type of Latin music and its enjoyable and fun.

I am still working on the www.montereywine.com, West Coast Chowder Competition for Tina, and doing ok getting us Sponsors. But the best part of our day is Tina and I going to do our latin dancing! This particular event I am working on is in June mid month, So I am trying to plan what I will be doing after this is over. My work for her will be done, and well maybe my life will change once again? Nothing much else going on for me, the chapters of my life right now are quiet, boring, not much interaction, sometimes very lonely. Who would have thought that in this time of my life it would be such as this?

ZUMBA Working My Brain My Body

Thank god the sun came out today, those months and months of gray were surely getting to me. If you have never been in a place where you are living that has no sun you can't understand how some people feel with out it. FOR ME its not good. SO Thankfully it came out today! I been doing Zumba a lot the past three weeks, I'm so grateful for my only friend here TINA she and I have been trying to do it at noon, in the evening and today it was in the morning. They were going to Seattle today so our work day was cut very short. They wanted to leave at noon, so Tina and I went at 9:30 today and worked out very hard. The thing about Zumba is, that it is my mind lifter, working out my brain, remembering the routines and the steps that are easier for me I am positive than most of the women and men who live here and are unfamiliar with Latin music or the dance. I can tell you this much, I am so sore I can hardly move today. The cold weather makes it difficult to move those old joints. But Thankfully I shook my ass pretty darn good today! I plan on going tomorrow.~~~~~~ Seriously its the only thing I have right now. I use to be a jazzercise lady, when I was away I learned how to do all the Latin dances, if you read the blog years back you would know, sunshine and dancing, Beach and swimming. Horseback riding, walking a lot and having good times with lovely Latin women, and men. Now my only Latin experience is Zumba! soooo when I am in the class and the music begins I start out slow especially the last few days bad cough and hard to get moving. Then when my adrenaline kicks in I AM OFF, I hear the music and I see the moves but I'm not there, I'm dancing with friends and remembering all sorts of fun and wonderful different things during that whole hour. I totally get away from the gray the cold the rain and the dealing with fitting back into USA society. So after Tina and went to the office, sweaty Hot and then worked a bit then I was dropped off. I don't have a car or any sort of way to get around its a good thing they pick me up. I swear if it wasn't for her I have no clue what I would be doing right now. I am temporarily helping them with all there Social Media work, and pages I have built for there events one is www.montereywine.com and there facebook page is Montereywine the company. The others are www.asirenstale.com a book that Tina wrote recently that is really cool! I was the first to read the script as she wrote it, I have it on LULU as an ebook and on Amazon.com for her, I built her a page on Facebook, in the same name A Sirens tale book. Then the last one is West Coast Chowder Competition on FB. What I do is find sponsors and do all the media on these events, I make so little times are very tough. commission only but its better than sitting here and doing nothing. Finding a job at my age is not easy in USA. I have dropped my dreams for a while and plan on finishing this up with them and then who knows??? someone recently who is just a friend on FB told me, Marianna you are a beautiful lady, talented and so alive, you inspire me don't be sad or depressed about your situation, take it as your life is your book, and right now this is just a few slow chapters. Something like that she said? I found that good. Shes right its just a lull before the excitement again! My get away is Zumba, I literally go into another world when dancing, ITS A VERY GOOD THING. For those of you who read and don't really know me just a reader. I AM A SURVIVOR, I made a way on my own for years with out help, I worked made a career. I raised two boys pretty much alone but with the help occasionally of my family who would watch them now and then. But I worked hard, and I survived in a third world country alone. I had many adventures and I made a way where there was none. I've have lots of ups and lots of downs. This is a low but not the lowest. The lowest was some years back when I returned from Spain. It is a difficult time for millions of people right now, Instead of tearing me apart, be compassionate, and lift one another up. If you are out there and are having a hard time and you read my writings let me know If I can pull from my experiences to make you feel better I think that is a good way to help ones self as well. I BEEN THROUGH SOME HELL IN MY LIFE and damn it if you think I'm weak, I'm strong its just hard sometimes to be the perky happy person we all love to be around. The reason is, I think that people are afraid to try help, when all of us need love, a touch, a hug, a pat on the head. I hardly ever get that.. and it effects you. With out human touch the body grows old, and we all need love! THIS IS MY REASON TO LOVE latin music as well, every one of there songs is about love, losing, gaining, begging you not to go, telling you how stupid you are if you do leave! and sharing how much they love you.. Passion is what it is called. WHERE IS THE PASSION ANY MORE?

YERNING FOR THE HOT SUN OF ROATAN

Not crying but I'm really growing so worn out like a pair of sneakers that get worked out in day after day and not washed! That's how it feels when you wake up to the same gray day, day after day here in Portland. I mean I use to live here years back, no wonder I ran like a gypsy in the night! I seriously wish I had a camera, so I could post on this blog and make it better, but that was stolen as well in the last robbery. Its just so darn dark here, and today expecting SNOW IN APRIL? COME ON GIVE ME A BREAK HERE! I remember feeling the sun burning on my skin early in the morning when I walked to the water taxi to my first job in Roatan. The very first day, I had to be there at 8:00 I lived on a hillside up a steep road that was all dirt, the sandy beach front road was connected to mine near the west end of the bay in WEST END. I got pretty early, before 6:00 got all ready.I had a long backless dress on and sandals,(its hot and you can wear pretty much anything) I walked down the hill I was fine the hair was good the makeup was good. But from the moment I stepped onto the beach road, next to sea I felt the humidity and the sun blaring on my shoulders, I started to sweat, I had a big arrangement for the boss for the first day. I wanted him to see I was thankful, and created something really cool with orchids for his office. I was carrying this down the road when I couldn't find a taxi I got all flustered the heat was now burning on me, the hair started to go I could feel sweat dripping down my back then I decided to take a water taxi, but the guys are so lazy they didn't want to take just one person. Told me I had to wait! I couldn't I didn't want to late the first day. I begged practically then scolded cause there so lazy they could care less, laying on the dock like a bunch of ol iguanas. Finally someone volunteered to take me. We flew across the water in the early morning around 7:30 I was soaked with sweat and the sun was crisping my skin on my back and shoulders, the wind of the boat off the water was cool and felt so good, the water's reflection was diamond like, and in the close vicinity of edge of the boat you could see the bottom of the ocean. WHAT A WAY TO GO TO WORK! Although I was worried how I was going to get there on time, the idea of walking early in the warm sun then riding a water taxi to work was a cool way to arrive at your first day on the job. I would do anything right now to have that sun burning my shoulders, the way it feels here is so opposite that is a difficult adjustment since I been living in hot tropical climates for years now. It is strange how the dark damp weather effects the body as well. I never knew I had so many aches and pains! I think I rather deal with the bug bites and the sand in my toes than deal with the damp dark days that are never ending , waking up every morning to look out the window and see the same scene day after day. Branches that are darkened tones of black and deep gray with moss growing on them, leafless and lifeless, the sky in the background a steel gray and sometimes a bit of a pine branch here and there. It reminds me of a terror movie where they show the woods all cold and scary! BOY O BOY! ... Off to work!

Weekend blahs

The weekend is here, I am in Portland Oregon and guess what? It has rained more than a month with no sun. It showed it's face last evening for about a hour too late to even enjoy it, and with out a Sunset! I miss my sunsets I love them, Its a peaceful time of the day, watching the Sun slide into the water, sometimes catching a glimpse of a green flash. It is true you can see that flash I have seen it many times. Yea sooooo, really unusual situation I am in, I have little if not any friends here in Portland. I lived here for awhile years back very tough to make friends in this miserable City, and I can say that! It was voted the 2ND most miserable City in the USA. AND I'M HERE IN IT?? God forbid! I handle my emotions here cause it makes you feel so depressed and so miserable and so alone. Tonight though the gal I am helping out Tina, who has written this great book called A Sirens Tale, is taking me to a place called Ring Side. Its a fabulous famous Old steak house but they have recently remodeled so it should be a good evening. Funny though?? she asked me last night to invite some friends.. I laughed I SAID WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? you see me everyday I'm with you every day, we are now working out doing Zumba four times a week, WHAT FRIENDS DO YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE HERE?? She said well there has to be someone you want to invite? Honestly I only have about three people here I talk to, Jon, Tina, and Barbara. But Barb was an old client, I did many events for her when she was working for Radial Larsens, Jon is a good friend and ex employee, he has his life we occasionally talk through out the years. He' is a blazers fan so I'm sure hes going to that game tonight. I think this is suppose to be a sort of birthday party for me? Although my birthday was last month its going to be celebrated this evening by the three of us.NICE So I broke out a dress I have from Central America, and some heels. It will be the first time ever wearing a dress here since I arrived almost three months ago. NO REASON I GO NO WHERE so it will feel really special tonight to be pretty! I miss the sun, its so tough to be smiling and happy in this, at least the sunlight makes you feel alive, other wise I am feeling zombieish. Those sunsets mean something to me, it as if the world says good night and you say thank you for another beautiful day. It was almost ceremonial to me, so many people would watch the sun going down. In Spain when I was there, I saw actual drummers on the beaches drumming to the sun. Pretty interesting, and it felt good to watch that, although they reminded me of latent Hippies! wearing those darn pants that looks like your carring a load. But at least they were happy and enjoyed the moments. Other than this, no plans for the weekend, Other than working on A Sirens Tale facecbook page. This is the book that Tina wrote, I am trying to help her get publicity on it and get it selling. It is quite interesting, the imagination this lady has is wild! and I love the fact that these creatures are capable of changing there forms. Check it out www.asirenstale.com FEED BACK on this and the blog is needed, I want to continue writing, hoping I get my readers back I have lots to share with you on Central America. Maybe tell you about the Copan Ruins and what I felt and saw while I was there for four days, what do you think?

Roatan Experience

First Thank you Readers, I thought perhaps all the readers had faded away because of my lack of consistency on writing, but I can see now that its attached to the blog and twitter I am picking up readers again. Some of you have said I needed to proof read some of the blog, let me make an excuse here for THOSE USA AMERICANS that have never had Internet or a computer in the tropics and dealt with losing connections after you have written the whole blog before you could spell check or had a computer that wouldn't operate correctly due to the heat and humidity. THERE WERE MANY times I would write so fast and then post just to get it up because of power outages or loss of connection so I apologize, if you feel my grammar is is not completely correct, or that my spelling is bad! I never claimed to be the perfect person. So forgive my errors. Oh phewww now that that is out of the way, this is the one good thing about USA that the Internet is flawless and fast and that the computers all work fairly well when some hackers aren't trying to interrupt your technological life. ON TO THE ROATAN experience. Roatan is a beautiful Island, much different than Jaco Costa Rica, the culture and the feel, more bugs, and different weather patterns, clear blue seas, not mucky dirty black water filled beaches. Amazingly beautiful, with the cruise ships every day and night , entering the horizon early in the morning slowly creeping in like an immense resort gliding across the sea, to a enormous,glowing Disco tech or building floating aimlessly in the dark fading into the night. It was such a incredible sight to see daily, I never grew tired of watching the ships, I would think about life in many ways how things come and things go how big opportunity's come into your life and then pass you by if your not aware. It could slip away when you blink your eyes . This is how the ships appear in the night. You can watch them, then they just fade away so quickly. I mean your thinking wow that is a strange analogy, but its true of everything in life it comes and goes. Same as my career, it came and went, came and went, it went this time hard.. like a shot in the night. So possibly a big ship is coming the Last ship. I am not a traditional person, never have been. I always felt there was something different or better. Being single like I stated in my last blog is tough at this age for most people, but it seems the past four years or so I have adjusted to the fact that I am not with anyone and I am who I am with out verification of a man. NOT SAYING I WOULDN'T BE WITH ONE,but I'm good like I am. I enjoy Adventures.. I guess you can say I am addicted to adventure, Rather than being the home body being satisfied with sitting watching TV, reading, and not doing much more than that. NOW DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A LIFE??? well that is what I am faced with now being back in USA. My life at the moment consists of this: Being picked up every day by my friend who wrote a very cool book, called A Sirens tale, they produce trade shows for Food and Wine, I do multi media, Facebook, Twitter, and make calls, I am now going to Zumba because I pleaded with her to let me dance somewhere and get exercise so now the two of us go. Then I am dropped off, I come into my sons house I greet them sometimes cook but only maybe one time a week. I watch TV go to bed this is every day. I don't go out, I don't have phone calls, no friends here On Saturday I go to Zumba my son lets me use a car, I sometimes go to see my grandson, come home. Stay the weekend in the house, IT RAINS ALL THE TIME so not much you can do.. although I have gone shopping with the kids a few times. NOT MY IDEA OF LIFE. My questions to myself is this? is this a time to just not be doing anything and try to learn something from this? and then build up steam again? to be able to go and enjoy the life I feel I deserve which is a leisurely life, simple of course ! I am not wealthy, nor do I have insurance, nor Social security, or savings any more. I have nothing.. but I learned one thing living in Central America. YOU DON'T NEED MUCH TO BE HAPPY, and for some reason I prefer that life? I would love to be pampered, I would to be taken care of, but I don't have anyone throwing offers at me and I am not sitting here waiting for someone to caudal me in there arms and say HERE YOU GO DON'T WORRY AND IT COULD be very pretencions of me to say this but. I just know if I don't do for me it won't happen. I know how to build the castle and I could if I had the courage build it again. I felt alive in Roatan not dead, When I went to Copan before I arrived in Portland, I felt euphoric, the Mountain coffee farm and the hills of Guatemala in the distance, the rivers the fresh morning air eating outside, with food made over an open fire stove under the cover of palm leaves. MADE ME REALIZE how lucky and special I was. I felt alive.....

SINGLE IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Yesterday I spoke a little about the life adjustments here in USA. I guess what your wondering is, how is it that someone who lived in USA most of there lives, moves away, with out knowing anyone virtually, begins a life in a semi third world country, goes on tons of different adventures, and can not get back into the life that she once had ITS NOT EASY, you become adjusted to a completely different life style,Food adjustments, its not traditional or easy I would say, but I always have been a bit different, Maybe you could? I love adventure now, and the thought of being stagnet with out a social circle, nor transportation, nor mounds of money in USA makes the whole world of difference in being able to transend into the old way of life here.It feels virtually impossible. Being Single in Central America was not hard at all, first the men are much more agressive than they are in USA where I lived, I mean I was out in the public in USA in Vancouver Washington, worked in big hotels, and golf clubs, social clubs, and went out occassionally. Never did men look or even talk to me. But there I would be walking down the street, mind you I got tan, had dark hair so they knew I was not a tica but thought perhaps Columbiana, or Argentinan, or some other latin country. They would smile, greet you, sometimes if they saw me more than once in one day would flirt.The community of women were generally nice and friendly, I met couples married and unmarried, in the years of living there did have a nice base of people I knew and did a few things with. But being single is much more difficult to mix with groups than being a couple. I had my friend Rossy, and Cristina, Eida, Helen, Orfa, Carolina, Pili, and a few more, and Carlos, Jonathan, Luis diego, Carton, Tom, And so many more. In comparisons to here: I lived in Vancouver Washington for 11 years, I had only a small number of friends, not many did I ever go out with except some of the jazzercise girls, So what I am saying that in that 11 years I had two or so friends. Single was so tough, Central America much easier. I brought my wieght down by more excerise, Walking is the thing you do, swimming, and of course the heat helps keep wieght down as well. I moved from Jaco beach because of the crime, the putas, and the drug dealers became so violent that it was actually a part of my life. They came after me in a couple of incidents, because I was a witness to a robbery in my own home. I caught two of the major Drug dealers waiting outside my house while a whole gaggle of thieves ravaged my home. It became obvious they were threatening me, and I had no defense. Work slowed as the economy became dead, and I saw the handwriting on the wall and made a move to Roatan where another friend of mine from Jaco moved to open an Ice cream business. I took A gay friend of mine Clint who worked for me for years. It was an easy transition, latin america mixed with tons of Other cultures. In that 7 months in being in Roatan I had a huge circle of friends, who now talk to me weekly and some even daily on line. THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN HERE. Now mind you feeling sorry for myself is really hard to admit, but I think its more like kicking my self in the ass that I made a move to isolate myself with out realizing how difficult this was going to be. I am working for a friend, doing social media, in an office where no one else is around, its in a place that is industrial but hardly anyone around to met period! I am with out car, but the weather here is COLD COLD COLD AND ITS MARCH! still have not had any sun this month, and since I been here for the past three months I only recall four days of sun. TALK ABOUT DEPRESSING! It would be different if I was located in a city where I could go a near by coffee shop and sit, or hang out somewhere, but there is nothing around here. I think if your single and you have guts, and you are not afraid of having a beautiful time then try it. I think I should write a book on Leaving called LEAVING thats it. And I explain how one gets a point where the know its time to leave, I mean you could apply this to relationships I suppose as well. The only thing is, I do have two sons and a grandson. 1. Older son is very busy and has a huge circle of friends, I am happy for him and now a new girlfriend so the social life is good. BUT WHO WANTS THERE MOTHER AROUND ? ask your self this, would you want your mom living with you at age 35? I think its wrong I enjoy my son and his new love, but I just don't think this works, ( if I had the cash I would get a small place but I don't at the moment) 2. Second Son, tied into an emotional roller coaster relationship with an older woman, not a good situation and our communication is very little. HE HAS NO PHONE she controls all the contact. 3. Grandson is adorable but then again, I have only seen him on weds when I am to watch him simply because they are working the other grandma has him and its not really easy for me to get there or around. Life was hard in some respect's in the tropics, I missed the kids, but how do I ever get back into the life style here? I miss my clothes, I have few here, I miss the food, I miss the sun, the dancing, the people, the walking, the swimming and of course the peace. Stress was not a part of my life, and now it is.

ROATAN EXPERIENCE

Thank you for the one person, who was out there reading on the blog again. I use to have a load of readers, but the fact that I have not written consistently caused me to loose that audience. The original reason for the blog many years a back was to inform, friends and family of my existence in a semi third world country and tell them of my adventures. It grew and grew and I met so many people from the blog, I even have had people send me airline tickets when I as dying to go back after one of my not so pleasant cake walks, which in turn made me return to USA. Once again here I am DANG IT! My heart after all these years of working like a slave, doing design work, some 15 hours or more a day for almost all my life and I am 57 now,( although I am proud to say I am physically doing fine and in great shape, that's about the only thing I got going for me ) that I feel like Adventure is really where I want to be. Single still many years of it,I am not a dog nor am I stupid, but I have kinda just put the love thing in a closet and really just live for whatever every day brings me. Back to the Roatan Experience, I don't want it to be over, I didn't do what I went to there to do! the fact that Roatan has such colorful stories, history beyond most peoples knowledge, and the spiritual qualities of the Island is super compelling to me. I was thinking today about one in particular that made me think ok this is really weird. You MAY OR MAY NOT BELIEVE THIS and you can say, or think what you will of it. Lots of people have not experience first hand spirits or ghost's or the supernatural. SOME OF THE BEST SELLERS and GRAND MOVIES are based on these subjects. I can say first hand I did experience, along with My assistant Clint. Well one evening sitting on the balcony, We were talking about the weeks that had past and four or so incidents that happened to the both of us that were the strangest things we have ever experience. I had shared with him about some readings I have done over the piracy of the Island, the famous pirates that were a part of the changing of the civilization of Roatan. I had read some facts about a man that some four and half years ago found treasure and had escaped the law and had invested the money that he had cashed in on. AT THAT VERY MOMENT, WE WERE ON THE TOP LEVEL OF THE BALCONY looking at the cloud formations. Now call it coincidence, but a huge skeleton head formed in the sky and we both looked at each other shaking our heads saying ARE YOU SEEING THIS? Ok you are saying shes totally fabricating this! No it was real, my skin crawled his face was white and he went in the house. I stared until it completely changed form. After I laughed at him, It could have been us imagining, but the form stayed for a long time in the same place and did not change. As the breezed blew it scattered the clouds and above the that face was a mass of stars like I had never seen before. The mouth of the head then changed and opened very wide, as if it was yelling at me to move. I didn't I stayed, become more hypnotised. I told this all to Clint as I was laughing at him, but he insured me that he felt something and it scared him. That he never wanted to talk about those things on the balcony again. Later that week, I found out the owner of the house I was renting, the wife that was new, died in the bedroom of mine which is where the balcony was adjacent to. NOT THAT this was a connection but it became more and more evident that super natural occurrences, did happen in this house. Roatan to me is unfinished in my mind, I still have to complete the experience. I have to find a way to support myself in my adventures. Something for new readers so you know a bit about the writer: Female, 57 years old, single Italian decent Lived in USA most of her life, California, Oregon, Washington. Was a high end Event designer, landscape, interior and Weddings LOTS AND LOTS OF WEDDINGS AND PARTIES, Catered, Wrote for a news paper with my own advice column on design or whatever came to my mind LOL Was always a creative writer, and artist, in paint, sculpture and any element I could find! I did lots of trade shows, Was on stages, did backdrops for TV and a few sets but never had any stinking money. Reason!! SINGLE RAISING TWO BOYS and working my booty off! After almost 28 years of slavery I call it, I decided to sell everything and leave USA, I went to Central America and from there had a ton of adventures. Scanning back some of the blogs were crude and had some pretty depressing information in them, but out of darkness comes humor, and out of bad situations come good things. I HAVE DEVELOPED in such a way with writing that I feel, possibly its gotten better. In the recent experience in Roatan, that made me switch gears come to USA and visit my sons and one grandson, I lost a book that I was writing over the past three years. A book about the Wedding industry, behind the scenes, craziness, secrets and hilarious stories. It was on a key and on my computer that all got stolen. So now I figure I'm not doing a whole lot here. Fitting into USA society is really not coming together as of three months here yet. I decided to purchase a new key, and start up the blog, help my friend with social media networking, and build a few pages for her NEW BOOK A sirens tale, and begin to re-write mine. Plus might as well write my Modern day gypsy stories about my adventures. I would love to hear feed back from anyone out there. Also if you know anyone who wants to escape and hear about a life outside of the norm, let me know. Marianna

ROATAN EXPERIENCE

Roatan , is a beautiful place,Barrier Reef, palm trees, sandy shores of pure white, winding roads, rolling hills, trade wind breezes.
I am sad I can not be there to enjoy the Island and the food, the people are are different than My experiences in Central America Costa Rica. Although after that last experience I chose to return to USA for some time to be with my sons, see friends I thought? and just try to return to the life I knew before. Something is to be said about LEAVING A PLACE AND RETURNING? Not as easy to assimilate, as I you think.

I have been back for three months and still have not adjusted to the life in USA yet, I don't believe it is going to happen soon either.

I found that the people of Roatan were friendlier, they seem to have mixed feelings like the Costa Ricans but were able to embrace the foreigners in a different way.

The reason perhaps is because of the mixed culture there that has been there since the the Spanards invaded the island. The three or four or five cultures I saw were the Indios, Honduranas, Iselanas, Garafunas. Then comes the Gringos including Canadians, and Europeans. The Mix of people for me was fun, you were able to feel the Latin life but also the other cultures effected your life living in Roatan.

Spanish is one of the languages that is spoken in Roatan, but the real language feel is the isalena, a blend of English, and Garafuna. I can understand it some but not much. Its comical most times to listen to them chat to one another, it has a pleasant song like quality to it.

If I had not have such a horrible experience with the Robbery I believe I would still be there enjoying the sun and the Island vibe. Lets just say this I don't believe my adventures are over, I have had some very incredible and some very simple adventures that have added flavor to my personality and my spirit. If you want to hear more let me know I would like to continue on this blog but Im not sure my readers are still out there I need some feed back about this and If so I will continue and tell all the stories I have in my treasure trove of mystery.

BACK IN THE USA

Well months have past, I was doing so Well in Roatan, If I tell the whole story today its way too much to put on this blog. Just lets say this. I was Robbed once again, the friend of mine living with me did not lock the door. While we were out promoting the business, someone came in and took everything including Cash. Why Cash your thinking right? I had just paid for the permits for the new business lots of money for these permits in Roatan. Business permits for a foreigner, takes more time that a resident. You can not open a bank account unless you have these requirements fulfilled. It was one night shame on me, one night and one night only. I left it in a purse hidden. I was afraid imagine of all things to bring it with me, for fear someone would take the purse. Well they took it alright out of my house! DAMN IT it was so devastating the violation of being robbed is something that is so frustrating, mind boggling, and tormenting. Not knowing if those who entered your house, was watching you, do they really know who you are? In a small Island Like ROATAN everyone does know who certain people are. Alright to sum it up once again robbed of everything I owned, it wasn't millions of dollars it wasn't like I had super valuable things but the total robbery amounted to about 8 or more thousand dollar. Pretty devastating for me, I thought about it for about two weeks, I immediately called my sons told them about it, one told me to come to USA where he felt I was safe and stay with them. The other didn't have much to say. I truly love the latin life, I am wondering how to live in that and avoid the trauma's of robbery? I love the food the people, I mean there is good and bad where ever you go, but seriously?? 5 times now including a car???? I could write a book on robbery, probably should just write some short stories on the life in Latin America and maybe they would get sold, replace double the money that has been taken from me! So, now I am completely with out practically everything except my health. The things I do have is this: One pair of jeans, one pair of tennis, a few dresses, some earings, nothing for hair, nothing for nails, nothing for writing like a computer, no camera no car, ok lets say this. I was a woman with everything you could imagine, I had two of everything, Even Cars. Now Im pretty much gypsy LOL I WANNA SAY, but not in my spirit. I was successful, a designer with goals and a column in the papers. I was in demand, I had a beautiful home and all the things in the American Dream. Now I have different values, I have no material things, and I need them but how to regain them in this economy, and in USA is a mystery to me, and how life twists and turns and you land up in a situation you didn't expect. BUT THE GOOD THING IS I HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE AND I CAN WRITE ABOUT IT AND I CAN DO SOMETHING THAT THE AVERAGE CAN'T I can say I am free of burdens, no responsiblities when it comes to debts! This is what I have...

I do want to write, and I hope I can continue on this blog of my life, the people who read this you probably all dropped off by now, I haven't written in so long and its been inconsistent. I am going to try to continue give updates on what happened describe things that have occurred to me while living single in the Central Americas. EVENT WENT TO THE MAYAN RUINS ALONE on a bus!.. but wow now in USA not adjusting and wishing I was back. Life is certainly different here.