Episode #196 - Then this happened...

Welcome to the Mastering Midlife Podcast, where we talk about all the crazy fun things that happen when you are a midlife mama. I'm your host, Heather London. Let's dig in.

Hola guapas. Hey, sorry it's been a minute since I've done a podcast, but hey, I've been a little busy. Now, if you are watching this on YouTube, hey, you can see that... this is life and life is absolutely amazing and it's like not brushing your hair and your towels hanging out behind you to dry and the scooters be scooting around all over and

People are cooking back there. There's a restaurant back there. And life is just so good. Now, if you're not watching on YouTube, I want you just to, like, take a moment and listen.

take it all in it is so freaking awesome here oh now of course it's quiet now but you can hear the people talking and the birds chirping and life happening and it's just so amazing so amazing and I and like I said I'm just actually the reason I'm doing this is I'm just wanting to document my journey and I'm sharing it with anybody who's interested it and when something

cool comes up i'll share a story or you know where i am and what i'm doing so right now i'm in thailand and i'm on this small island like there's tons of islands here uh because i like small island adventures i really do like i've learned a lot about myself over the past couple of years of traveling and i love small island adventures but it's got to be the right combination like no matter where you go if it's good there's going to be

lots of tourists but this island is small it's so small there's literally just one road around it and I love that but there's beaches everywhere because it's an island just crazy gorgeous beaches crazy gorgeous beaches except I don't even know if I told you this but I'm gonna tell it again when I landed on this island I just booked a little Airbnb or a little room

um close like walking distance from the ferry because i'm like i just want to walk there i'm going to explore the island and find out where i want to stay and so i stayed at this place which was awesome the people were fantastic and um it was like in the town so there's lots of

shops outdoor shops and all that kind of stuff and i went out to the beach because like i've been flying it where can i go that's this island where there's gorgeous beaches and happy people and just you know good times and i went to the beach and i was so like what is happening the beach was

Gross, actually. It was gross. I'm just going to say it. There was garbage on the beach and there was nobody on the beach. It wasn't soft sun. It was full of shells and hard to walk on. I'm like, what have I done? Oh my god. I made a huge mistake.

Anyway, what I realized later was that that's like just one of the... it's not a nice beach because that's kind of like a port right so that's where all the boats come in and that kind of stuff and that's not where you go to hang out what you do is you rent a scooter or you borrow a bicycle from the place where you're staying

And you ride three minutes on a bicycle and you're at this most gorgeous beach you've ever seen. And there's hardly anybody on it. And then you go ten minutes, five minutes down the road and there's a bigger beach. And it's like, this kind of people are on it, and they're doing these kinds of things, and this kind of restaurant. It was so amazing. So when I first arrived, they're like, what have I done? And then I'm like, wow, this is... And the longer I stay here...

the more amazing it becomes. I moved from that place to where I am now, which is this place, and I have my own little room. Like, it's a little bungalow. Super basic. I have this porch here with a table, and then I have a room. It's quite a big room. No AC, so it's a fan. It's hot here. Hot, hot, hot. And I have my own bathroom. No hot water. You don't need hot water because it's hot and you want to cool down. And I'm literally a three-second walk to the beach.

And it's a main, I'm on a main drag. There's like tons of places to stay and places to eat and people coming and going. It's just so freaking awesome. And the people where I'm staying, it's just amazing. Like I love, love, love my new place. And so much so that I keep extending. I'm like, can I stay more days? And luckily they still have my room. So we'll see if I can stay here for longer.

If not, all I do is just walk down a side street and start asking people if they have a room to rent. It's so fabulous. Somebody knows somebody. It's a cool community. Anyway, I totally got sidetracked. What I wanted to do was I wanted to share the super...

cool experience that I had. And I'm going to dedicate this to my tennis partner Arnog because he's going to love this. This is specifically for him because he's really, really going to appreciate this. Now, when I was staying at my other place,

There's this place called, I can't remember what it is, it's like an outdoor eating place. So there's like a ton, there's rows and rows and rows of vendors. And they have whatever it is they're making, they're making their... potatoes or their fish or whatever and you just walk and you have a little bit of this that's where I got food poisoning the other time but I don't give up they have the best baked potatoes it's so insane baked potatoes and they throw in some butter and salt and

That's one of my favorite dishes. Anyway, every time I go there, there's a whole bunch of outdoor seating and it's always packed. So every time I go there, I meet new people because I have to sit with them.

other people if I have a table people ask to sit with me if if I can't find anywhere to sit I'll ask to sit with other people so you always have a that was right about my first Canadian anyway always people to talk to and so lo and behold I'm like I didn't want to go there on that night but I thought oh I have to try a Thai pancake like they make these pancakes and they fill it I had with banana but they fill it with all sorts of crazy stuff and did not disappoint it was amazing

And as I was sitting eating this pancake, I didn't want to come here. I didn't want to eat this. This woman and her daughter, they asked me in Swedish if they could sit down. And I'm like, yeah. I mean, I don't know what she said.

The gestures are there, and I answered in English, and she's like, oh, my sorrow. I'm sorry, I was speaking in Spanish and Swedish. I didn't even realize that you don't speak Swedish. And we had the best conversations. She was so sweet. Even our daughter, who was like, I think. 13 14 just like so so sweet and

She's like, I come here every year. We've been coming here for 30 years. My parents live here and I know all this stuff. So if you have any questions, let me know. And she started sharing with me all these cool things. And then she looked at me and she's like, what do you like to do? Like what, you know, when you're not. eating or at the beach. What do you like to do? And I said, well, I don't know.

I don't know if I should say this because what point? Because I really, really, really tried to find a place to play tennis here. I didn't bring my racket because my last experience is I had to lug it around. I barely used it. I'm like, forget it. I'm not bringing it. But here, there's one tennis court.

And it's at a resort. And I messaged them and they're like, sorry, it's only for our guests, this tennis court. And I'm like, oh, that's so sad. And I was looking on the map and somewhere it said, oh, there's another tennis court. There's a tennis court on the island.

There's no, like, it's not a community tennis court. There's no opening hours or closing out. I don't know, like, what's going on? It said permanently closed. So I'm like, oh, okay, so it looks like I'm going to be learning something, a new skill or something while I'm here because I won't be playing tennis. Anyway, my new Swedish friend was like, what do you like to do? And I said, I'm kind of obsessed with tennis, but...

I haven't been able to find anywhere. As soon as I say that, the girls looked at each other in locked eyes, and they had this huge smile on their face. I'm like, what just happened? What's going on? And she said, actually, my boyfriend is a... Tennis instructor and I'm like, oh are you kidding me? I hit the jackpot. She goes yes, and There's this one tennis court on the island that's

It was privately built by this couple. I'm like, what? Are you kidding me? Like, they built a tennis court at their house? She's like, yeah. And they're Canadian. I'm like... Are you for real right now? I was so excited. She was getting more excited because it was just everything was lining up. I'm like, this is the best day ever. I wasn't even going to come to this.

place to have dinner and here i am meeting my swedish hookup she was she was such a gem she told me about all the places and all the people and she's like here just message my um boyfriend and he will set something up for you i'm like This is the best day ever. But she looked at me and she said, listen, I've got to be honest with you. He's not, he's a coach, but he's not.

coaching anybody he's not training here because he can't I'm like okay I get later came to found out like the island changed the rules on people coaching who aren't from here it's really strange because there's only one tennis court it's the weirdest rule ever but he actually can't coach because if he does he could get like go to jail or kicked off the island it's strange I don't know so I will not ask him

to coach me although could you imagine if I had like a coach and it was just like my dream come true so minus him but he hooked me up with the couple and then they had another Swedish girl come who's around my age and is obsessed with tennis too. And we had the best game. I'm telling you, we went early in the morning because you've got to go before the sun comes up because it gets hottie, hot, hot here.

We had the best. It was so much. I was just in heaven. I couldn't stop smiling. I'm like, you built a tennis court. And he had a whole rack. of tennis rackets and he's like what do you want i'm like i don't know i'm just so happy to be here what kind of tennis racket should i have and so he hooked me up and he has like a

There was, like, a clubhouse. He built a clubhouse. Like, it wasn't on his property. It was, like, just down the road from his property. But it was just a tennis court and a clubhouse with a bathroom and the rackets and a place to, like, sink and just a place to... put your shoes on and off and you could sit there and watch other people you guys you guys I can't even best day ever and then after that they're like oh we're gonna go for coffee and meet up with a couple of other Canadian friends

Would you like to join us? And I'm like, yes, I would really like to join you. And so we went to this restaurant. They're all the restaurants on the beach. And they're like, this is our friend that owns this. It was so lovely, like the restaurant. So it's a young couple that owns it. And when they bought it, it was totally, it had been like shut down, desolate for like five years. So when they bought it, they had to start from scratch, you know, and redo everything.

They made it into this beautiful restaurant and they have yoga there now and they have places to stay and all that. And we had the best life. And so the other Canadian couple came and they were even more lovely. Like the people just keep getting... more and more lovely and we had an awesome conversation and some breakfast and on the beach and and then Lori the new lady's like hey

Because in Europe and here they celebrate Christmas Eve, not Christmas. That's when the big party is. So she's like, what are you doing for Christmas? And I'm like, well, I'm not really celebrating Christmas. You know, I came here to not have to... celebrate Christmas and she's like well we're doing a little something on the beach if you please come and join us and my son will be joining us and you know they'll be like there's five of us why not six like that's not a problem

Because they know the people that own the German restaurant. And they're like, it's our favorite restaurant. And so, that's awesome. I'm in. I'm in. And then, you know, we...

chat and have the best time and then i come back to my new little place and i'm sitting here on this my name by business doing some work and then all of a sudden like my neighbor shows up like same thing right he's like 10 feet away from me and and He shows up and all of a sudden I'm like, well, how are you? And start this conversation with this handsome neighbor that I have. And he comes over and we start chatting and then he goes, wait, I have a present for you. And he brought me.

Fruit. And we were eating some local fruit that I had never had before. I'd never seen before. And it was so delicious. And we had the best conversation. We totally, completely hit it off. And I had rented a scooter because I had to... use a scooter to get to tennis. And so we chatted for, I don't know, it seemed like forever. It was a wonderful time. And then I decided I was going to go check out the beaches because I have the scooter.

And I was on my way out and he was in his home. He said, where are you going? What are you doing? And I'm like, I was going to go, you know, down the coast. He's like, I'll come with you. Let's go. And he had a scooter. So we went booting, scooting. He's like, I want to show you this beach. And we went to the beach where we had coconut.

coconut water out of the coconuts and the monkeys were stealing the coconuts and even better conversation then we went to another place and then we had to come back because we had to We had to swim in the ocean and then shower and get ready for the night out. And I'm like, what are you doing tonight? And he's like, nothing. Because he was also a travel solo traveler. And he was actually leaving the next day.

And so I said, well, maybe I can ask and you can come for dinner with us. And he's like, that would be fantastic. So I asked, and of course, being the fabulous Canadians that they are, they're like, sure, bring your friend that, like, the more the merrier. And so we had our...

fun scooting around and then swimming in the ocean and then we met up to go on our little date and we went together on a scooter and we show up at the restaurant and the guys had brought bocce so we played bocce on the beach. Well, the sun set and then we had our dinner and got to know each other and laugh and drink. It was just lovely. And then after that, they're all like, OK, we'll see you later because they're like 70, 70, 80 years old. They're like, see you later.

And we're like, what should we do now? And he's like, come with me. I have some places to show you. And we went scooting up and down the island because this was the night where there was fireworks.

fire shows and so we just kind of went from like one place to another and every night there's a different party you just have to know where it is like because it's a small island there's only one party and it changes every day of the week and so he's like it was here last night we went there and it was like nobody was there it was like not even

thing but he's like look there were the torches this is where we were last night so anyway we ended up at karaoke we had so much fun we played pool we went dancing and we watched the fireworks it was like the best night ever

And like from nothing, I didn't even have any plans besides tennis that day. And then all the fireworks, all the fire shows, just like, and we were just... bumming around on the beach it was so fantastic it was the best day ever and then unfortunately the next day he left so but um i met a ton of people since like a new group of friends and

like somebody that I can hang out with you know somebody who likes to do the same things as me and we're on the same page and so it's always nice to have a buddy when you want to hang out with somebody okay okay

That's another story. I'm going to tell you this one in my next podcast because it's podcast worthy. It was so fun. But the whole reason of this story was just to be like something that appears out of nothing. When you're open to trying new things or you just don't have any expectations, fun shit happens. Like I had the best day from beginning to end and I really didn't have any plans for that day. So it was so lovely.

And the reason I'm so excited now is because I got a text and then invited to play tennis tonight. So I'm so excited, so excited. So I rent a scooter and then we play at 5.30 because that's when the sun kind of... starts to go down because it's hot so we gotta find the time it's either before the sun comes up and then just as it comes up or just as it's going down and then

until actually I noticed when I was there is outdoor lights he's got lights but I think the bugs come out but um we'll see how it goes because this is like totally dialed in he's got the perfect outdoor lights and It's all fenced in, and oh my god. Guys, I just can't even. It's so perfect here. And that was the one thing that was missing from this island. If I could play tennis every single day, I would. If I could get lessons every day, I would.

But it just didn't pan out. So I'm like, that's the only downfall. And then it just all fell into place.

And so that's why this is so magical for me. You just never know. You never know. You'll always find what you're looking for. And anything is possible. It's just so lovely when you're just kind of going with the flow. You're just a little... leaf floating in the breeze going wherever the breeze takes you and being open to new experiences the best it's so easy to meet people here actually which is

Even crazier, the locals are just so kind and friendly. And it's such a nice little community with all the tourists and the locals. It's just so fun. I know, I know.

But it's just so incredibly lovely. So I'm on cloud nine because I get to go play tennis with my new friends on the private tennis court. And then I booked a massage for tomorrow because... uh i had heard like when i'm doing my research i'm like what are the best things i made a list of all the best things to do and there was this one massage place and these people who were professional

masseurs and all that they're like you have to come to this place it's amazing so i gotta do that and then my new friend he also is like physiotherapist osteopath like knows his stuff he's like Oh, there's this place where you have to go to get massaged. You can't go anywhere else. And it was the same place that I had on my list. So got that booked for tomorrow. And he's also like, you can't go for one hour. You can't.

you gots to go for two so i'm like okay like say less so i booked that we're i was gonna go tomorrow and and get a two-hour massage from this crazy awesome and it was funny because i have a new group of friends we were hanging out and we told this guy our new friend about this place and he was booking it as we were talking and then next time we saw him he was like yes a thousand percent it was insane and i booked my next appointment right after the first one

And I'm going to make it for two hours. So we learned our lesson. But that's the story that I wanted to share. Just like how something can come from nothing and just being open. Just literally being open to anything. Open and curious. That's my new motto. Well, I hope that if nothing else, just put a smile on your face. I know my tennis partner or not, I know that he'll be smiling. He'll be like, girl, you go. You go, girl.

And he would probably be happy if I could take a lesson or two so I could get a little bit better. But nonetheless, I'm working on it, my friend. Anyway, so I really, really, really, really honestly hope that this in some way has just... warmed your heart or made you smile. That's what it's all about. I'm just trying to, you know, do this podcast and share my adventures for me so that when I look back on it, I'm like, oh yeah, I had forgotten about that.

And if you want to come along for the ride, I am so happy to have you with me. So as always, thank you for listening. Always, always, always love yourself first and have a freaking awesome day because I know I'm going to go crush it on the court. Hasta luego.