My husband and I recently vacationed in the Caribbean with my brother-in-law and sister-in-crime....I mean, sister-in-law. Let's just say she has an adventurous spirit!
This was technically a 'working vacation' which is great as long as I am not the one actually working! And I was not. So one my SIL suggests that we venture out on our own and do some sight-seeing while the while the guys work. Sounds easy enough except for the fact that I have never driven on the opposite side of the road much less in a foreign country. Apparently, on the island, the yellow line down the middle of the road is simply for decoration!
Nevertheless...we were on our way....map in her hand, steering wheel in mine. Two girls with no sense of direction but the assurance of the concierge that all roads eventually lead you back to the beginning. Kiss, kiss to the boys and we were ready for adventure.
There are so many stories I could share....backing the car onto the ferry (another first), coming face to face with a herd of wild goats on a walking path, snorkeling with stingrays and sea turtles, going behind a wall that said "DO NOT ENTER" because curiosity just got the best of us (and it was well worth the peek I might add!). But I just want to share the story of a man and his goat named Madonna.
As we were on our way back home we rounded a corner on the two lane road and there, on the side of the road, stood a tall, thin, raggedly dressed man with the biggest toothless smile I'd ever seen waving us over, offering us a parking space beside the most breathtaking view of the ocean. And he was holding a tiny goat. Yes...a goat. There were other people already there taking in the scene so we figured it was safe. Besides...he had a goat!
As we got out of our car he handed me his goat and said, 'her name is Madonna...let me take your picture with her". Who could resist? He then began enthusiastically sharing with us the history of the island....where Sir Francis Drake had sailed, he pointed to a house across the way where President Bill Clinton had stayed, he shared his first hand knowledge and years of story of his island. And when he finished my SIL and I tipped him generously and thanked him for his time.
We drove away thinking....wow, this is how this man makes his living. The more I thought about that man and his goat the more I admired his sense of entrepreneurship. While people complain about their circumstances and think of all they DON'T have and how unfair life can be, this man said 'if all I have is a goat and a story I can make a living'. And honestly, at least in my mind, I think if you asked him would he like to trade what he does for a high paying job in a cement-city he would say...."Are you crazy? Madonna and I wouldn't trade our little piece of peace in paradise for anything. Life is good, mon."
Yes indeed....life IS good, mon.
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