Vast Nowheres //
Unknown
11:33:00 AM
Still, a significant portion of time has been spent outside, and I'm not talking "poolside of a 5-star resort" kind of outside. I'm talking deep into the inner city, endless deserts, sandy shorelines, and historic places. I'm talking the kind of adventures that leave you completely speechless and overwhelmed (in the best way) by just how vast the world is. As I attempt to sit down and recall the most intimate moments of the trip, I'm realizing that every day seemed to perfectly blend into the next, and I'm really not sure of the chronology of events. I lost track of time and dates, and although that was wonderful, it makes writing quite difficult. Please excuse the disorganized thoughts. //
I spent whole afternoons driving around the island of Aruba, and exploring some of the most beautiful locations I've ever seen. We first visited The California Lighthouse, which is located near Arashi Beach on the northwest tip of the island. It sits atop a rocky cliff, which is surrounded by cacti, succulents, and other desert greens, and overlooks the whole island. Below us, we caught glimpses of goats, which were freely roaming the dry land. It was so strange, but so wonderful to see animals just freely roaming around, without the confinements of humans placed around them.
Right next to the lighthouse, there was a truck which sold shaved ice and smoothies. Obviously, the lighthouse must attract many tourists, making it a great place to sell. I purchased a coconut smoothie, and it was the best thing I've ever tasted. Seriously. The coconuts were fresh off the tree, so much so that these people were actually cutting them up as they made your smoothie. The flavors were so rich and so sweet; much better than the ones served at the resort's bar area. //
Next, we headed further down the island to a long stretch of desert land right next to the water. I struggle to call this area a "beach," since the ground was not sandy, but rather rocky and covered in cacti. Still, I loved it. When you finally take the time to just sit in the stillness and silence of the world around you, you notice so many things that seem insignificant to many people. Like the way the tide pulls in and then wades out, and the way the wind carries itself lightly through your hair, and the way it feels when you smile for no particular reason, while also recognizing how great it is to be alive, perhaps recognizing this for the first time in a while.
On a different day at a different time, a similar feeling was experienced as I sat on the very edge of a rocky cliff, this time on the other side of the island, knowing that one wrong move could result in me falling into the crashing waves. Even from this location high above the ocean, I could still feel the icy water hitting my skin, and even sometimes drenching my hair and clothes. It was a great relief from the oppressive heat around me. Sitting in complete silence with the exception of the crashing of waves and light gusts of wind, gave my mind time to relax and clear itself. This salty body of water is greater than me; than you; than all of us. And while it is a beautiful thing to know that the Earth is so complex, it also brings the bittersweet remembrance that you are nothing, and that the forces of nature will always be greater than man.
Later on that night, we returned to the resort, and walked along a path by the ocean. In a small oceanic alcove, there was a collection of fish, crabs, and little octopi. I have never seen a real life octopus! It was really cool!!
It's these adventures into the middle of vast nowheres that matter the most. The ones where we find ourselves alone with our own minds, but also so closely linked to the ecosystems and circles present in the world. Our society fears this idea of being "alone." We are always linked together somehow, whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or another form of social media. Everyone can always know what we're doing exactly when we're doing it. And while I do believe that staying connected, and of course sharing your passions and significant, meaningful moments are important things, I also believe that it is important to go out and be alone. It is important to, even if for a few moments, disconnect yourself from the manmade world and it's society. Don't worry, you won't really be alone; you'll be a part of this huge ecosystem of plants, animals, and other things that are even better than people. //
My Realm