Gratitude Day 61 - Cuba

Bajos Los Cielos De Cuba - Day Six

Dear Friends,

Today at the pool bar, I overheard a woman pleading with her husband to try a “new” drink. “Honey, you can drink beer at home! You are on holidays for god’s sake, try something exotic!”  
“Honey” did comply and ordered a Rum-Punch! However, a few minutes later he went back to the bar and got his usual drink!

“Letting loose on holidays” is compulsory. I can see it everywhere here: young girls with skimpy outfits on the dance floor, older women at the dessert table and of course men, young and old, at the bars! It seems that everyone is here to indulge! From a variety of conversations that I overheard (accidentally) I gather most people have taken up new identity.

Is it then safe to say that our environment shapes and controls our behaviour?  Is there a roaring lion/lioness in all of us, waiting to emerge once we step out of our controlled habitat?

This evening I answered my own question! There was a dance contest on stage. I debated for a while whether I should get up, there, in the dining room full of strangers, and make a fool of myself. What the heck, I’m on holidays, was my conclusion!

Since “vacationers” are cheerful, polite, kind (talk about TDSB character values coming to life) I thought maybe the new inspirational catch phrase should be “Live like you are on holidays!” Although it justifies boldness and indulgences, no one is behaving “inappropriately” even the teen-agers who are drinking illegally!

People are just allowing themselves to live outside the prescribed norm. They sure look healthier and happier for it!

Grateful to have had the opportunity for deeper analysis, I decide I don’t want to “keep calm and carry on” anymore, as it dictates on my water bottle and daybook! I want to live like I’m on holidays!  It might not prove to be a practical “blessing” for the city, but for the time being I’m grateful for having assimilated and adopted the concept!  

At least for today everyone, live like you are on holidays!