17. Finding home, away from home.

I'm sitting on our balcony, watching the sun set over the sea. This isn’t your "picture-perfect" island scenario, where the only sound you hear is the crashing waves on the sand (though you do hear that too). But there's also the constant hum of scooters, the honking of horns, and teenagers gathering in their different friendship groups. I sit quietly, observing from a distance, hoping no one will see me, so I can

watch the different stories unfold.

It reminds me of a picture my gran had of an owl in a tree with a quote: “An old owl lived in an oak, the more he heard, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he heard, why can’t we be like that wise old bird?” I absolutely love people-watching!

As I'm lost in thought, two girls climb back onto their scooters after taking selfies on the beach. They spot me on the balcony, and their faces light up. They wave enthusiastically, and I can't help but return the wave with just as much friendliness and enthusiasm. It's moments like these that feel so special.

I've come to sit on the balcony not just to watch the sunset, but also to get some much-needed fresh air. Yesterday, I was pretty much bedridden the whole day. I picked up a really bad cold—the kind where your head feels twenty times its size and you feel like you swallowed a cheese grater. It's never nice to be sick, but it feels ten times worse when you're ill in a foreign country.

When I'm sick, all I crave is toast with Marmite and Rooibos tea. My mom used to make it for me when I was a child, and to this day, that's what truly comforts me when I feel unwell. Vicus was an absolute trooper; sometimes I think he missed his calling and should have been a doctor! He constantly checked on me and made sure I drank my medicine (sometimes to the point of irritation, but always with good intentions).

I even had to cancel my morning Pilates classes.

Alicia, one of the owners of BeOcean, was incredibly thoughtful; she sent some turmeric and ginger tea with Vicus. And our friend, Shane, and his wife sent over some delicious chicken soup for dinner. These were such small gestures of kindness, and yet, they didn't feel small at all. In those moments, a foreign place suddenly didn't feel so foreign anymore.

P.S. I finished writing this blog, and Vicus arrived back home with containers filled to the brim with rice and fish curry.

Thanks again, Alicia!

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,”

2 Corinthians 8:3 NIV