September 24th 2012 Toronto. I think this will be my last ‘trip’ blog for now…I’m in Toronto and currently awaiting my flight home. I arrived early enough last night, to a clear sky, but gales of wind…and they were not warm. I did pack warm clothed and I’m glad of it now. However, yesterday I stood outside waiting for my hotel shuttle wrapped in a black and orange flowered sarong up top and a purple one below and I still couldn’t warm up. I guess the sandals didn’t help any. BUT, I’ve held on to that summer feeling until the last minute. Therefore I cannot have any regrets whatsoever. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it’s Monday morning, a promising start already. Well, for me, the adventure continues. Going away and celebrating my 40th abroad in the sun, as desired, has done something. I wish to continue this…growth, this exploration, and this sense of contentment I have whirling within me. Sometimes life does surprises you in ways you didn’t anticipate. And changes are interesting, eye opening, and provide an opportunity to move in a different direction. All is well Diane Sunday September 23rd 2012 The morning came too quickly for one. And it was odd to walk into the airport, receive my papers, hug Aviva, exchange words of friendship, hug Aviva once more, and start my journey back. It has been such a wonderful trip for me. I feel that I have done more in one week abroad than I have done in one month at home. I am fortunate to have shared in Aviva’s family holiday with Michael and Marsha. I am fortunate to travel to Bonaire and to be introduced to its incredible blue waters with a stay at the Bellafonte thus making a Caribbean vacation seem like a living dream. I am fortunate to have taken the time to think twice about kite boarding and opting for a licensed scuba diving course offered just around the corner from our second home, the Dive Hut. I am fortunate to have met some incredible and fun people at Wanna Dive. This enabled Aviva and I to be and to feel a part of a group, to enjoy various conversations, and to partake in dining out a couple of times and having a good time. It really did feel like summer all over again. I am fortunate to have met Aviva a few years back in Nursing school. We traveled well in 2009 when we went to Italy. And we had a great time this trip as well. We have shared many new experiences, many laughs, and some good conversations, leaving each other to ponder a few things now and then. Yes, it’s been good. Terribly good. And this morning, I waited for my plane, not excited and not upset, I simply waited and I wondered what new adventures are awaiting me now. A young man came up to me and asked me for my boarding pass. I was asked to follow him past the crowd. To walk out through the doors and to head towards the plane. I said, I’m heading to Aruba. He said, yes we know. You are the only passenger. Enjoy the flight. I was greeted by the crew and I chose a seat. And I had a plane ride all to myself. Ha! Who knew! I think I’m off…to a great start!

Saturday September 22, 2012 Aviva had a kite boarding lesson today and I was able to join her, watch the beach come alive with avid kite boarders, and note the set up of a kite and the wrangling of harness and gear for this sport. Everyone is happy here. The athletes share equipment, comment on colorful kites and new models, congratulate novice boarders of their new achievements, and generally assist each other in whatever way is called for. I watched Aviva hold up her kite and we both saw if fly to life as it soared above our heads. Aviva’s instructor Lars, gave her the commands, and off she went, seaward with her kite. Aviva walked into the sea with the kite bellowing in the wind and soon enough she was being dragged out to sea, this is called Body dragging, while Lars motored the boat to meet up with Aviva and give her the board. In such little time and with our incredible fortune of having a huge wind, Aviva disappeared into the blue horizon. I could only note her kite from a great distance and I thought I saw some lateral movement on the surface of the sea and I hoped it was she, riding the board, for the goal of the day, over a 100 meters. At the beach, various others were entering the sea and being pulled into action within an instant. Soon enough, the talented started doing what they do, whipping by at fast clips and as if on display, heaved themselves high out of the water in what appeared to be awesome airtime. I can only imagine Aviva’s delight when it will be she who is mastering the art of catching wind and deciding which direction to go into. As for now, she is brand new, learning how to capture the wind and harness it’s strength to control the kite, but, it’s coming. Lars mentioned that it takes a good 30 hours to ‘get it’ and to feel the wind, to know your outcome, and to play with options. She is currently half way there and will have plenty of time to practice when her next friend shows up this week as she is not due to leave until the start of October. My friend came out of the ocean tired and happy. We spent the rest of the late afternoon at Jibe City, a little commune consisting of a restaurant/bar and wind surf paraphernalia. The water is a pale green, it is shallow, and you can sit/tan/mingle as though you were just going to the beach and hang out. And we did. Once home, the little feline cat followed us to our apartment, so Aviva let her in, and fed her, and she nested on our bed. The cat is nameless. So we named her Divi. It almost felt as though we were home with the little cat purring away as we changed and readied to head out for diner at Cite Café, for our last night on the town together. Indeed, Saturday was a very good day. Dd