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Senorita Latte

May 01, 2005

I laid in bed this morning and couldn't believe how tan my arms looked nestled on top of the white comforter. I closed my eyes and pretended I was still relaxing on the Yucantan peninsula, reclining in a lounge chair with one foot hanging off the side and gently digging my toes into soft coral sand. I could still feel the breeze and the hot sun dancing through the palm trees that served as a protective canopy that shimmered and swayed above me for the last 10 days. It was rather intoxicating.

Ahhhh. After about 15 minutes, I wafted from the bedroom to the kitchen to make myself some java. As the milk swirled around in my favorite mug I was amused to discover I was the exact same shade as my morning coffee. As a result, I decided to nickname myself Senorita Latte.

I haven't been this tan since I graduated from college. Eighteen years ago, a handful of friends and I celebrated our newly acquire BFA's for a week on the outer banks of North Carolina. Young, silly, and not caring at all about skin damage and premature aging, I soaked up the rays like an Egyptian Sun Goddess. Senorita Latte doesn't believe the sun is bad for her skin anymore. My sun tank is full and I'm glowing from the inside out.

While I was at the resort I was pleased to find people addressing me as "Senorita". This felt rather wonderful in light of the fact that everyone has been referring to me as ma'am for longer than I'd like to admit. I'm happy to say that I don't think this was just a Mexican phenomenon– this afternoon the man behind me in line at CVS actually called me "Miss".

No kidding... he said, "Excuse me, Miss... you dropped your credit card on the floor."

Could it be that getting tan can make you look younger? Or, could it be that 10 days of unremitting relaxation just north of the equator actually equates to having a face lift and liposuction?

Well... maybe not liposuction.

When I waded out into the shallow sea, I was amazed at how gentle and soft the ocean floor was. I'm wondering if the ocean has softened how I look and maybe how I feel about myself as well – the salt air smoothing the creases that had bunched up like crumpled laundry deep down in that secret place in my soul. A very peaceful, warm and sensuous vision has been tucked away in my mind's eye. A fully developed image of the sun, the sea, the wind– the current sweeping through my tired body. This is the place I'll return to whenever I need to calm the waves that undoubtedly will rise up inside of me from time to time.

I took hundreds of pictures and I'm looking forward to sharing some of them with you. Pelicans, parrots, shells, coral, fish, sunrises, and of course, flowers. I'll begin posting my favorites as soon as I figure out which ones actually are my favorites!

I'm sad to be back, but very glad to be home.

Posted by vincent at May 1, 2005 10:19 PM

Comments

I need to go there!!! Can't wait to see pictures.

Posted by: aola at May 2, 2005 03:14 PM

Welcome home! It sounds like you got the perfect vacation, and the one you so sorely needed.

Posted by: joy at May 2, 2005 04:46 PM

I know exactly how you feel. I flew to california for my brothers graduation from bootcamp for the marines two years ago. Standing or the beach at Coronado affected me in a way that has been unparralled. As a child we visited the atlantic ocean and i have been obsessed with water ever since. but i had no idea what i was talking about untill i saw the pacific. No rough and roudy feel there, just peace. infinite, rejuvinating, realxing, unmatched peace. If i could envision heaven it would be that forver long beach with nothing but blue blue water and gentle waves and sun and sand. the only word that comes to mind is luscious.

Posted by: katie at May 4, 2005 03:28 PM

welcome back. great pics. looking forward to seeing more;)

Posted by: susie albert miller at May 4, 2005 09:33 PM