PayneInTheCulo

And giving…
And giving…

Traveling the world is more than a dream. It’s already going to happen according to my visuals. Places I was blessed to visit and created memories in which I believe we all have abroad. Never been to Europe. Nope. Not yet. Nor South America. Nope. Africa, Alaska, Antarctica, Asia, none of those. The Caribbean/West Indian however most definitely. Puerto Rico, Mexico, St. Maarten, Barbados, St. Thomas, places like this. Never mind the destination. Its purpose is not the resort but your interpretation every time you look at it. How you feel when you know all you have to do is simply relax. Nothing more, nothing less. I love those warm nights, listening to nature come alive. Good drinks, fine smells, laughter- a lot of laughter. Everyone is here for the same reason- to get away. One thing I learned to love on these gateways are the smells. Ocean breezes, the sand, pool, lobby, every smell fulfills its own purpose for me. A view is always preferable but just being here suffices. I never really traveled alone either (as of now). Heard it’s an whole new experience in itself. Sitting on the balcony with a cold drink and a fat cigar, appreciating the beauty that surrounds you. Writing this now I can’t help but flashback. My mother and Pam took me every summer to St.Maarten or Barbados. Being a young punk, I would’ve preferred to be on the block hanging out…

What an Idiot!!

Pina Coladas by the best bartender Leroy. Eating burgers and fries right by the pool. Forced to wait those twenty minutes to avoid a cramp. The vibes are like no other. I cannot stress that enough. I admit, I tend to put effort in re creating this vibe every time I go away.

When traveling, you can have a fresh start. Who knows you? 

Your occupation? 

Your likes/dislikes?

Who else wakes up extra early for the airport?

Me personally I don’t sleep. 

Flight at seven in the morning. I’m ready by two. No bullshit. I’m hated for this immensely by those just going to sleep after packing. 

Ok! Ok! 

I myself may not pack my bag completely. Help is always welcomed. You would think with all this excitement I wouldn’t be so turnt off by the most important element of the whole trip- flying. I despise those silver tubes. Take off, landing, and turbulence is my interpretation of the triangle of death. Each part has its own volume of dislike. Making it ever more confusing, I enjoy looking at the cloud formations and the water down below. I try to spot as many ships as I can. Being claustrophobic might also play into it.

My point in a nutshell: every part of the journey from the booking the flight to picking your drink on the plane, it’s all part of the fun. My mother and Pam always stressed to me the best part of the vacation is not being there but the build up of being there.  

The elation knowing you will not hear anything close to a siren for some time. No service delays. 
PARADISE!!

My favorite part of the plane ride is when they go “we will be landing in a few minutes.” Excitement now surges through me. Finally, damn! I remember a flight where I stood in my mother’s lap the whole damn time. That damn turbulence. Those lights when flying low over New York. I honestly like the city better from up here. Now that I think about it as many would probably agree, the worse part of the trip is when you land back home. Whether it be not wanting to return so soon, jet lagged, or a bad flight. It’s something about the coming back that never seems to fuck with me personally. Nine out of ten times my returning flight is packed with the shaky, rattling shit. Returning on my last flight I was “randomly” selected for an search. Loud music and an angry face was enough for the lady cop who didn’t try very hard to conceal her motive. Coming from Puerto Rico, they took my sugar cane citing it looked like dynamite. 

 Wonderful time nonetheless. Writing this, so many memories I never knew saved arise. Snorkeling in the Gulf of Mexico. Jet skiing. Feeding frenzy when dropping bread in the ocean. To continue will be too much, we can talk about it personally if wanted. Much blessings to everyone on my timeline enjoying their excursions. I’m living through you all until my arrival. 

Would you believe me if I told you I get almost the same feel with road trips. New sceneries excite me. Could be driving to Brooklyn or across the map, if it’s new, I’m appreciative. I thrive but more importantly survive off of new visions. Material to write about. Traveling is traveling. A gift that keeps rewarding even when you return home. All those souvenirs. The urgency to plan the next trip. New stories about the people you met from Wales. Scotland. How else can you get such an experience? Drinking frozen drinks at the pool bar. Looking through pictures for this piece, I couldn’t help but be happy. That’s why we take pictures isn’t it? How often we forget its power. To capture the exact feeling in that exact moment. Being eaten by bugs while walking thru Old San Juan could not deter my good time. Walking by the rocks up to the fort, massive cats. Loose dogs on the streets in El Dorado. I can go on forever as I’m sure you all can. But let’s agree on one thing, traveling is up there with breathing- kind of. So many places to see. People to meet. Share laughs with. I’m so ready that I’m actually looking forward to the plane ride. It’s turbulence. At least I know I’m on my way. Safe travels my people. Spread those wings… 

Chico has spoken…

Hahaha…