This Gypsy Soul

The sun shone through the little window of where I lay with my new boyfriend, my new man, my new George.-Jorge. The light cut sideways across the bed, catching my face full on. Rubbing the sleep from one eye and then the other, the gentle rocking of the water underneath me orientated me to where I was. Anchored off Illetas beach outside Palma, Mallorca, on his boat Dagmar. His big arms guided me in close to him… his smell so familiar to me now- it hits my nose in short sudden chemical bursts drawing me in to him, his wide warm smile beaming at me. “Buenos días my darling, a little swim?” We slowly rose and headed for the back of the boat- diving off together into the turquoise green blue of the Mediterranean Sea. A new day in my new life…If poached eggs with avocado on tomato- blushed toast, drizzled with truffle oil and good strong coffee be the smells and tastes of summer 2019, then being fed by this wonderful man will be the memory. Make no mistake folks, food is love here in Spain.

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“Hello, newsroom”- this is a phrase I hear every day now in. my new job for the Majorca Daily Bulletin- a local English paper here on the island. I’m hoping very soon to be contributing my own little weekly column. Majorca is my new home and I fall in love with it more and more every day. It’s a sunny playground, a nautical escape, especially for the very rich and famous, a lot of them sailed by here this summer. Oprah, Bon Jovi, Orlando Bloom, Annie Lennox, Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas (the latter owns a massive estate here), the tech geeks and social media kings are often seen cruising the high seas too. They love it here and why wouldn’t they? This place is incredible.But there is more to it than just fancy yachts and champagne flutes. It’s a place full of hidden coves, local beaches full of local people and plenty rocks for diving off! These flat rocks are more typical than the beach for many Mallorquins, little homes and restaurants tucked away into the side of a giant cliff overhanging the sparkling blue sea is where you’ll find many of them, towels and packed lunches at the ready, young and old, scrambling over hot stones en route into the water for a cool dip. I have dived right out of my old life into theirs...

***

Bellies full we lay on the air bed attached to the back of his boat, Van Morrison’s voice came gently flowing over our heads, the sun, low in the early afternoon sky began to make its presence known on my feet. The temperature was rising on this sunny and special Sunday. The minutes melted into hours lying in the arms of this good, calm, strong, funny and caring Mallorquin man. Our worlds colliding on the high seas- my gypsy soul settling like fog on his broad forest chest. Our musical hearts beating together. Family members and friends arrived on boats, throughout the day. Van Morrison was replaced with Julio Iglesias ( young and old- they love him) and before long I was caught in the middle of a typical Mallorquin family- and -friend- fused Sunday. Swims were followed by beers, beers followed by dives for starfish, followed by food, sleeps followed by ice creams, chats and laughs and ukulele tunes, kisses and hugs and all round human goodness and light flowing from every corner of my new country.

“My Momma told me they’d be days like this…”

DESIDERATA

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;

For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the tress and the stars;

You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be; and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.