Slow Moments: Week Two.

“Opting out of the culture of speed involves a leap of faith.”

 – Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness

It’s a Thursday evening in San Francisco, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the day that was yesterday.

I had my first official speaking gig, joining my friend and fellow travel blogger Nomadic Matt during his CreativeLIVE workshop on budget travel. For twenty minutes, we chatted on camera about women’s safety overseas, and despite how massively nervous I’d felt beforehand, all I could think about during the actual filming was how much fun I was having. Who knew it could be so enjoyable to talk about what you love to people interested in the very same things?

The sense of flow I felt at the workshop spilled over into the rest of the day, and by the time I collapsed into bed last night at 2am, my mind was reeling with the infinite possibilities life can hold.

But funnily enough, as I sit here in Terminal 2, waiting to board a flight to Seattle, the moment that remains with me the strongest from this week was not one caught on film. Last weekend, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, my good friends Cara and Jerimiah took me and their lively pup Ender to Half Moon Bay, a West Coast surf spot famous for its maverick swells.

We hadn’t made any special effort to be there at sunset – it just so happened that by the time we finally pulled ourselves away from our laptops and projects, we arrived at the entrance of a trail leading to Pillar Point Harbor just as the sinking sun was suffusing the air with the most delicious golden light.

For half an hour, we walked the beach, soaked in the last of that day’s rays, let Ender run in the surf, and watched mammoth waves twist and tumble against the rock breaks set not too far off shore. And as we turned back and began the return journey to the car, all I could think was:

These are the moments worth making space for.

Slow moment in Oregon: Rhonda

As I sat on the beach, soaking in the clear winter sunshine, I simply focused on my breathing. Jim was surf fishing, the dogs were eagerly watching for potential playmates and I did…nothing. I had absolutely no inclination to pick up a book, or even take many pictures. I relished the sun streaming over my skin, not warm, but warming in that moment.

A slightly crisp breeze caressed my face as I gazed at the cloudless sky. The weekend was filled with enjoying reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones. Talking travel and dogs and food. Sleeping in and long evenings around the campfire, before turning off our headlamps to admire what must have been a gazillion stars. Sunday evening required some extra time spent working, but it was oh so worth it!

Rhonda is based in Portland, Oregon, and blogs at: http://thenextbigadventure.net

Slow moment in Mexico: Kellie

For the past few weeks my partner Rob and I have been house sitting off the grid in Xcalak, Mexico. Each day we take the time to step away from our daily chores to enjoy a slow moment or two. At 11am we have ‘cake o’clock’; whatever we are doing we stop and have homemade cake and a cup of tea together.

Then at around 4pm we stop for ‘hammock time’; we stroll along the dock, unhook the hammocks, climb in, and just sit and listen to the sea crashing on the coral reef and the pelicans diving nearby.

We can barely believe our luck. Eight weeks ago I nervously left behind my life of full-time work, a hectic schedule and all my worldly possessions to begin an indefinite escapade. We had no plans, except one: to travel slowly together. Now we are living in a beautiful paradise and can take the time to enjoy life and each other’s company. We have left the stresses behind.

Slowing down was difficult at first; I kept feeling that there was something that I should be doing. But taking the time to stop and appreciate the little things has become extremely important to me. I shall always try to remember this wherever life takes me. ‘Hammock time’ is good for mind and soul.

Kellie blogs at: http://www.hungryescapade.com

Slow moment in Panama: Juan

I was on one of 364 islands that form the Guna Yala province, indigenous territory in Panama, on the Caribbean side. This island has no electricity, no lights, no running water, no showers, etc. I went there for a few nights, slept in my tent and just…slowed down. Everything was more beautiful.

The first night, the moment I went to look up to the sky to see the stars, I let out an audible gasp. Here I was in complete darkness, seeing a sky full of stars like I’d never seen before. From being surrounded by pristine water, to snorkeling and discovering underwater worlds of corals and beautiful animals, to swimming around a lonely island with just one little palm tree on it (and then my footprints), it was a beautiful experience.

Slow moment in Cambodia: Josalin

This slow moment was captured while I was exploring Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap. As at many of the popular Angkor temples, the energy, the atmosphere, was dynamic. Tourists were snapping photos left and right, in awe of the ancient ruins that surrounded them. Local vendors were hawking cheap novelties to passing tourists, doing and saying whatever it took to make an extra buck.

Seconds before I took this photo, these children, too, were trying to selling me souvenirs. The wind blew a slight breeze and changed the scene completely. With the passing wisp of a floating dandelion flower, they became transfixed. They fell silent and still, their eyes intent to follow this evanescent glimpse of beauty until it was gone from their sight.

And in this moment, they lost their roles as pushy street merchants, and again became children.

Josalin recently spent a year in Thailand teaching English and blogs at: http://jaiyenjocumentary.wordpress.com

Thank you to everyone who submitted Slow Moments this week, I loved sharing them! If you’d like to send one in for next week’s round-up, please do so by email to [email protected].