Back From Vacation
My long anticipated vacation came and went before I could blink. Just as I was getting used to putting my feet up and relaxing for a while, it was over. Today I asked the congregation if I could have another month and they all shouted a unanimous “NO”. I had to tell them they were being downright mean. But they argued that they would miss me too much. Yea right!
So my 3 week break went by far too quickly. But then again, when tiredness runs bone deep sometimes not even a month is enough. I had started to feel mine in my bones. Still I’m happy that I got a much needed vacation and time away from all the lovely people here in Colon. In anticipation of your question, no I wasn’t crazy enough to venture near Jamaica. There is no way I could have gone home and gotten any rest. As it were Tropical Storm Gustav would have only caused my blood pressure to soar.
So I’ll share a sneak peak into what I did, as I reminisce with plenty smiles of a time and place that for 3 weeks was ‘home away from home’.
Internet Fast
I went on a forced fast from the Internet. My hosts had dial-up. (Honestly!). So, trust me I suffered from a serious bout of Blogging withdrawal. But the time away from checking and responding to emails allowed me to recapture social skills like sitting down for hours and hours, and more hours enjoying wonderful company and mind-stimulating conversation.
Ate Properly
It’s been a whole year since I’ve been so well fed! My mother was with me last Summer so I ate well while she was here. After she left, well…ummm. Let’s just say it was not the same. But my host on this trip was a magician in the kitchen. 3 healthy scrumptious meals per day. I also learnt some new tricks for preparing quick healthy meals. I gained all of 3 pounds! Geezzaaammm…I’ll have to go on a diet. [Did I hear you snicker just now? How rude!]
Slept Late
Well I sorta got some sleep. I slept till 8 every morning which was really 7am Panama time. And that is usually after getting to bed between 1-2am from watching the Olympics. Hmmm…I guess I didn’t do too well in that department then. Ok. Need to rectify that. Soon.
Rested
I won’t say ‘well-rested’ but it was a huge leap from my normal routine. Let’s put it this way, I didn’t have to deal with phone calls, emails, letters, meetings, sermons (I only preached once), Bible studies, counselling sessions, smooth ruffled feathers, navigate mine-fields, and etc. So I guess I rested then.
Culterized Myself
Oh yes. I made time for the movies, museum, old Gothic cathedral, parks, libraries, bay cruise, long walks. And yes..shopping. Books, books and more books. I’ve been stroking their covers with Scratlike dreaminess every day since my return home. And I think I need more therapy and a book-fest…Oops I mean a book-fast.
Actually one of the books I got this time is called Fire Under My Feet:A Memoir Of God’s Power In Panama by Leo Mahon and Nancy Davis. It is the story of (Roman Catholic) Fr. Leo Mahon who lived and worked among the people of San Miguelito, Panama from 1963 to 1975. It is so far proving to be a riveting story of courage to proclaim the Good News in the midst of socio-political crises during Panama’s most turbulent years.
So that’s the sneak peak into my vacation that was. I returned home on a rainy Panama night. And it’s been hotter than..Ahem..an oven, since then. It’s just unbelievably hot for this time of the year. And the heat makes me miserable. Longing for a cooler place…
But Panama heat or Panama rain…it’s back to work.
Until,
Marvia
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September 8th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Welcome back home Marvia, we missed you!!!
Lydia
September 8th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Thanks Lydia!
I’ll try to be a better Blogger now that I’ve rested a bit. Hope your projects are advancing well.
Marvia
September 10th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Greetings,
Welcome back
!
Peace,
September 10th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Thanks KA,
It’s great to back. Good hearing from you too:-)
Blessings!