So here I am in an internet cafe in Tenerife.In Playa de Las Americas to be exact.
Its a tough few days I have had. Temperatures in the 30�s and sun sand and the sea to deal with. Not to mention the swimming pool, the good food and plenty of drink in the all inclusive place I came to!
I came away with 2 things in mind. The first was to relax after a tough year. This I have managed to do quite well. Although at times on my own it has been a bit boring, my MP3 player and books have been there for me. I also managed to meet a family all in there 50�s and 60's who come together every year. i meet them most evenings to watch the enteratainment in the hotel and have a chat.
The second thing I wanted to do was gain confidence and push myself into trying new things.
Again I have suceeded. Having no one to rely on but myself meant I had to just get stuck into being me. No time to worry quite how I looked or sounded (although I did worry) but the emphasis was on just doing it as well as I can, and to relax and just be me.
On this count I am pleased to. Lots of new firsts.
- I have sunbathed in my swimming costume. I took the safe route and went for an untra conservative all in 1 but I still did it.
- I swam in the hotel pool
- I went swimming in the sea
- I enjoyed the beach complete with my hippy style beach top ( I love it!)
- I tried Tai Chi with an American instructor in the hotel. He loved my hippy style top. He said he used to wear the hippy style (God he was hansome and so fit!)
- I talked to strangers of many different nationalities. The hotel is a real mix of Brits, Germans, French, Italien, Dutch, Polish and just about every other nationality you can think of from Europe.
- I managed to complete my first novel in years!
Sure I have drank to much and eaten to much but in self defence I have managed 4 x 6 mile runs so far with anothe planned for tomorrw morning. This is helping my guilt each time I look at a fresh glass of wine!
I know I am going to have to take 3 weeks off alcohol when I get home so my doctor does not faint when he sees my blood tests to see how the hormones are doing!
Last night I went for a walk after dinner and head the sounds of live music at a bar near the harbour.
I looked in and sat down at the back of the packed bar to have a quiet drink and enjoy the ambieance. No such luck. The couple on the stage asked me over the sound system where I was from. I was gutted. I had to answer in as loud a girly voice as I could imagine, the place I lived.
I had a quick look and no second glances so I breathed a sigh of relief,
Bloody hell but with sheer bad luck it turned out his best friend used to live about 3 miles away.
And so he kept asking questions and I just wanted to tell him to shut the Feck up so I could melt away and not worry about my voice.
But it ended well and we exchanged a few funny comments.
And so last night progressed from a fun start to a better finish.
Now I dont normally win much and when they came around with tickets for a prize draw I declined. The top prize was an all inclusive 6 hour trip on a boat to go whale watching. Worth about 50 Euros. Second prize was a bottle of wine. Third prize was a DVD and the booby prize was a salt and pepper pot!
Now the first person who was drawn decided to go for the wine as the boat trip was for 1 and they couldnt take there partner
The second person decided to go for the DVD
The third person got up and unbelievebly went for the salt and pepper pots! Much to everyones laughter
The next 3 sets of numbers drawn nobody admited to winning!!!!
Then the guy said does anyone want this free boat trip for 1 person.
I though "go for it" so I put my hand up. He asked what my ticket numbers were and I said I hadent bought any.
He luaghed and said tough luck!
Then he drew out another number and a man got up and said "Its mine but I will give it to the lady on her own at the back."Now how damn lucky am I!!
On the down side I had to walk up to the stage and accept the prize and answer more questions but hey ho its all confidence building.
So I go tomorrow at 10.45AM. I went to have a look at the boat and the type of people who go on it today to make sure I will be ok. It seems it attracts a mixed crowd from familes to couples and teenagers.
Quite looking forward to it. Not sure I am going to take my Bikini like the captain told me I must though !! LOL
I am glad I came away over all. I have relaxed and am gaining confidence all the time. I really do wish I had someone here to share the time with as it can be lonely on your own.
That said I am a seasoned travellor and I knew what to expect.
Not sure If I am going to have time to write another blog before I get home or not.
xx
So here I am in an internet cafe in Tenerife.
In Playa de Las Americas to be exact.
Its a tough few days I have had. Temperatures in the 30�s and sun sand and the sea to deal with. Not to mention the swimming pool, the good food and plenty of drink in the all inclusive place I came to!
I came away with 2 things in mind. The first was to relax after a tough year. This I have managed to do quite well. Although at times on my own it has been a bit boring, my MP3 player and books have been there for me. I also managed to meet a family all in there 50�s and 60's who come together every year. i meet them most evenings to watch the enteratainment in the hotel and have a chat.
The second thing I wanted to do was gain confidence and push myself into trying new things.
Again I have suceeded. Having no one to rely on but myself meant I had to just get stuck into being me. No time to worry quite how I looked or sounded (although I did worry) but the emphasis was on just doing it as well as I can, and to relax and just be me.
On this count I am pleased to. Lots of new firsts.
- I have sunbathed in my swimming costume. I took the safe route and went for an untra conservative all in 1 but I still did it.
- I swam in the hotel pool
- I went swimming in the sea
- I enjoyed the beach complete with my hippy style beach top ( I love it!)
- I tried Tai Chi with an American instructor in the hotel. He loved my hippy style top. He said he used to wear the hippy style (God he was hansome and so fit!)
- I talked to strangers of many different nationalities. The hotel is a real mix of Brits, Germans, French, Italien, Dutch, Polish and just about every other nationality you can think of from Europe.
- I managed to complete my first novel in years!
Sure I have drank to much and eaten to much but in self defence I have managed 4 x 6 mile runs so far with anothe planned for tomorrw morning. This is helping my guilt each time I look at a fresh glass of wine!
I know I am going to have to take 3 weeks off alcohol when I get home so my doctor does not faint when he sees my blood tests to see how the hormones are doing!
Last night I went for a walk after dinner and head the sounds of live music at a bar near the harbour.
I looked in and sat down at the back of the packed bar to have a quiet drink and enjoy the ambieance. No such luck. The couple on the stage asked me over the sound system where I was from. I was gutted. I had to answer in as loud a girly voice as I could imagine, the place I lived.
I had a quick look and no second glances so I breathed a sigh of relief,
Bloody hell but with sheer bad luck it turned out his best friend used to live about 3 miles away.
And so he kept asking questions and I just wanted to tell him to shut the Feck up so I could melt away and not worry about my voice.
But it ended well and we exchanged a few funny comments.
And so last night progressed from a fun start to a better finish.
Now I dont normally win much and when they came around with tickets for a prize draw I declined. The top prize was an all inclusive 6 hour trip on a boat to go whale watching. Worth about 50 Euros. Second prize was a bottle of wine. Third prize was a DVD and the booby prize was a salt and pepper pot!
Now the first person who was drawn decided to go for the wine as the boat trip was for 1 and they couldnt take there partner
The second person decided to go for the DVD
The third person got up and unbelievebly went for the salt and pepper pots! Much to everyones laughter
The next 3 sets of numbers drawn nobody admited to winning!!!!
Then the guy said does anyone want this free boat trip for 1 person.
I though "go for it" so I put my hand up. He asked what my ticket numbers were and I said I hadent bought any.
He luaghed and said tough luck!
Then he drew out another number and a man got up and said "Its mine but I will give it to the lady on her own at the back."Now how damn lucky am I!!
On the down side I had to walk up to the stage and accept the prize and answer more questions but hey ho its all confidence building.
So I go tomorrow at 10.45AM. I went to have a look at the boat and the type of people who go on it today to make sure I will be ok. It seems it attracts a mixed crowd from familes to couples and teenagers.
Quite looking forward to it. Not sure I am going to take my Bikini like the captain told me I must though !! LOL
I am glad I came away over all. I have relaxed and am gaining confidence all the time. I really do wish I had someone here to share the time with as it can be lonely on your own.
That said I am a seasoned travellor and I knew what to expect.
Not sure If I am going to have time to write another blog before I get home or not.
xx
