My Story Pt. 1 The Traveler
15 April 2024-
I sit here at Bournemouth Airport with my little bag for a 3-night ‘me’ holiday to Mallorca- one of my favourite places to visit. It’s like my second home.
It is not all play, I’ll be heading to our gorgeous retreat venue for our 7-night Yoga Retreat- the third year here, to see Angela the owner, and to shine some light in an attempt to give it some of the justice this offering deserves.
Angela & Alma, our Mallorca Family for our 7 Night Yoga Retreat in September
Back to my story…
Being a military daughter, I have flown too many times to count. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel.
How old were you when you started traveling?
Young. I remember traveling aged 9 as an Unaccompanied Minor, being escorted through the airport with my own chaperone and a very unflattering necklace with my flight ticket and passport in. I was treated like a princess traveling between Sardinia and boarding school in Dorset. I found It so exciting. I still do too, although luckily not have to wear the ‘I’m on my own’ necklace but the downside- not getting to meet the pilot!
Where have you been?
Well, the continents I have not been to yet are Australasia and South America but on the list for sure.
Myy favourite places to date are Mallorca of course and generally Spain, Italy, South Africa, and more recently, thanks to The Saltwater Sauna, Finland (more to come on this)?
What do you love about traveling?
· New Connections. When traveling solo, more people talk to you. Not only that but I think your eyes are opened, not distracted/immersed in conversation.
· Experiencing new cultures- My first culture shock was heading to South Africa at age 13 on a school hockey tour. I was naive to the culture shock but looking back, I feel I had an innocence about me, seeing a team of guys coming to join us for a hockey game in a shanty town at the foot of Table Mountain barefoot, no kit or safety gear for the most talented, open and funny individuals. I learned a lot which spurred me on to take myself back to South Africa aged 18 solo to volunteer on a lion monitoring project. This undoubtedly was the biggest shift for me growing up and made me want to meet and learn from more people around the world.
· Space- If you are reading this, I am guessing you have an interest in your well-being. We try to find space, with practices such as meditation or journaling. These are great. But when you step out of the norm, and gain distance and space away from the wheel of life, you can be an observer of your life-
What is working? What needs some more love and focus? What is missing?
On my first ‘me’ holiday to Mallorca last April, I reflected that I didn’t make enough time for fun. I could have said then ‘I don’t have the time’. I started Snowboarding and Wakeboarding at age 37 and loved it. Keep updated on my social media for my takeaways on this trip @alimortonyoga and @laughinglotus_retreats
· Nature- I have to pleasure of teaching and hosting yogis on retreats who from their enlightening conversations have come to tell me, that they go on walking/cycling holidays. They make their way around their destination by these means. And what better way to open yourself to see the ‘real’ location than like this? Maybe I will join you some time- you know who you are. But you don’t have to do the above to immerse yourself. Arriving at Palma de Mallorca Airport and seeing the Bougainvillea flowers and cactus erupt a huge sigh from deep within me. ‘I have arrived’. I take morning runs and dips down the beach, much like a couple of warm months in the summer in the UK, but it is quieter, greener, warmer, and exciting.
· Empowerment- I am happy to notice more and more people going away solo. Empowerment can start right from getting through security at the airport! But also, to plan your trip, to carry it through with only you. You have control over where you go or don’t go, where to eat dinner, and when you want to go to bed.
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and eaten by yourself?
Whilst working as a nanny in Italy, every morning I would go to the same cafes, sit and listen to the locals talking. Over the months I would start to try speaking Italian. The feeling when a local replies to your question and not just they understand you, but you understand them! WOW!
· Clarity- Going away can give real clarity to not only what matters but also what doesn’t. We have stressful lives but when you distance yourself and take time and quiet, it allows perspective and clarity.
· Food- Growing up in Italy, I remember an abundant and rainbow diet. Fresh fish from fishermen at our local beach (not that I ate it as a child), olive oil, pasta, and lots of bread. It then came as a barrier when I found out the hard way in my twenties I was wheat and dairy intolerant! Strangely, in Rome and Milan, I could eat an entire pizza with no issue.
Following a Blue Zone diet is something I am looking into and following. Check out Dan Buetter.
On retreat with us, our vegan chefs blow our minds with their unreal meals. We can eat and eat and yet seem to lose weight! Fresh is the way to go.
Now I sit here by the pool here in Mallorca, thinking of extending my ‘me’ holiday. I know all good things have to come to an end but I am so inspired, I have so much I want to share with you on here, our yoga app and more.
REMEMBER “WORK TO LIVE”.
