Every so often, one gets to meet a “kindred spirit”.
So it was when Peta met Brook. We were living in Granada, Nicaragua in 2011 ( mas o menos) and Brook, badass surfer girl (originally from Montana), was traveling solo in Central America. Our paths crossed. We visited her at the beach. She visited us in Granada, arriving dusty and windswept on her motorbike, often in need of a hot shower. We knew, when she appeared, that we best enjoy our time together as she was predictably unpredictable. She might stay for a few days, or she might leave after a few hours.
Peta resonated with her independence, adventurism and free spirit, and then there is their proclivity for yoga, meditation, and a mutual passion for animals..
These early days of kinship in Nicaragua did not foretell what would become more of a patchwork of time together in various places and times of our lives… In retrospect, it is perhaps not surprising that our shared addiction to living a nomadic lifestyle, would allow to reunite in other countries.
After Nicaragua, we met in 2014 in South Asia. Brook was teaching yoga anatomy in Northern India and we were in Kerala making our way toward Mumbai, where I had business meetings. We orchestrated a get together and, finally, our paths crossed again.
We stayed at Mumbai’s colorful in every way Hare Krishna Temple, as the only non~Indian guests. I was reluctant at this choice of hotel, however, it was a memorable, interesting and quirky experience, that we shared. (http://www.greenglobaltrek.org/2014/11/a-week-in-bombay-with-brook.html). Next reunion: Chicago, 2015.
And now, 2016, it is time to go and see Brook on HER turf. She has chosen Puerto Rico as her home base with her partner Rene, and we are in need of an escape from our urban jungle. Beach time!
What a view of the sea and sky from the balcony of what will be our home for the next couple of weeks…
Perched on the edge of the cliff, we feel as if we are in a bird’s nest, with the surf crashing below.
We fully immerse ourselves in Brook’s universe…. Going to beaches near and far, the organic farmers market for greens, yoga and meditation… We even take a couple of exciting steps toward manifesting a yoga-based project together.
Two peas in a pod
It is pretty funny traveling with these two animal-loving girls. It’s not just the adopted dogs (3) who are now central to Brook’s ecosystem (memories of our canine-filled life in Granada). It is that as we drive along in the Puerto Rican country side, Brook stops suddenly. “Hang on” she says, as she quickly goes to her trunk and scoops some dog food stashed for “hungry stray dog” emergencies. She matter of factly feeds hungry doggies along our way. Shades of Peta feeding stray dogs along our travels.
Shankar ~ Brooks’ first adopted stray dog. Notice a mutual theme here?
Peta in front of one of her paintings from the “Stray Dogs of Nicaragua” series. The painting of a black dog at the beach was done years before Shankar entered Brooks life. Brook favored this painting when she saw it in Chicago and Peta gave it to her as a gift. It was months later that Shankar came into her life, strikingly similar to Peta’s original black dog stray, at a beach.
But one stray dog is just an invitation to open up one’s home and heart for more strays. Welcome Carmen ~ a beautiful soul who took a particular shining to us (and we to her).
Did I say two strays? I meant three… on the bed, of course, lest they miss any opportunity for strokes and human affection.
This is our first time meeting Rene ~ the man who stole Brooks heart. It feels like we have known him for years.. when we do finally meet. Rene was born in Puerto Rico and was raised on a typical Puerto Rican meat centric diet. No more… Years with Brook and travel to India, has him “converted” to being a vegan. So happy to finally meet, even though, after five days the four of us together, he has to travel for work. (Thanks for sharing the girl!!!)
Puerto Rico surprises us with its magnificent string of beaches. Soft sand, rock pools, warm turquoise clear waters and virtually no one else on the beach. We go daily, either walking down the steps to the beach below, or driving to sample nearby coves. Each beach has its own personality.
Deserted beaches are perfect for skinny dipping.
The Puerto Rican flag graces a truck that sells fresh coconuts.
The rock pools create a design that is remindful of Bali’s rice fields.
Much as I might try to highlight the R&R aspect of this Puerto Rican getaway, in fact, the first few days were at a peak of intensity from a work standpoint. A major proposal for a foreign government kept me working round the clock, until it was delivered. All work and no play would make Ben a dull boy. Instead, each round of work was punctuated by a beach outing, resourcing, revitalizing… This is a jump of joy after “mission success” on the work front…
So why am I not living in a climate where I can go to the beach all year round? Somethin’ not right with that picture.
This whole blog entry speaks to Peta and Brook’s friendship… However I am a big fan too.
Lovely beaches, lovely doggies!
Yes indeed. It’s great to have the combination of good beaches and dogs to take to those beaches. We had so much fun watching these three pooches running, playing and swimming.
Here’s to more reunions and happy days 🙂
Reunions are super sweet. When you live a nomadic lifestyle as we do, good friendships made along the way in different countries, constitute for us, our nomadic family of friends. When we arrived in Chicago a year ago and went through huge culture shock, it was friends we had made while traveling, that totally understood the difficulty of the transition.
Nice shots of the beaches
Thanks Helen. The beaches really surprised us with their beauty. As well, we were happy to notice how clean they were compared with so many beaches all over the world that are littered due to stuff that people toss into the oceans.
Peta
Perfect, now you need to visit Vieques Island, just close by, and dive in that bioluminescent lagoon. Probably my best spiritual experience.
Love you guys,
Anton
Anton, so good to hear from you! Where in the world are you living now?
Yes, next time we go back we will definitely go to Vieques Island to experience the bioluminescent lagoon!
Xoxo
Peta
Wonderful! I would love to visit Puerto Rico. It looks fantastic!
It is fabulous and really had our friend Brook not moved there it is unlikely we would have travelled there. Another side benefit to close friendships!
How great that you met a kindred spirit and have maintained your friendship! Looks like an awesome spot.
Some friendships, such as this one, are so natural and so strong that “maintaining” is easy and obvious. Having a gorgeous setting in nature is added bonus for sure!
I love this story! Friendships made while traveling are so special. It is great that you have been able to keep this up for so long. Cheers!
Alison, it is very true that friendships made while travelling have a unique quality. The bond of shared adventures and journeying together IS special. We have a shared value system that arises from being “global citizens”.
Ain’t it grand to meet yet another kindred spirit? Mazel tov!
Yup! Makes my heart soar!
A Convocation of Angels — nomad variety, yogic, canine, those beyond naming — was indeed gathered here at the cliff-top bird’s nest with the beckoning beach. A pleasure to be part of the Trek…..
Such a wonderful pleasure to meet you too John! And of course the three beautiful felines… Missing the beauty and all of you.