TRAVELS OF ANN

Ace is leaving tomorrow. We want to get in our last snorkel. It was s beautiful one.

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Today we decided to luxuriate on the beach.

Theres a place where we can lounge, snorkel from the beach. Theres a blue hole and cenote (underground river)

We happened to run into Captain Jack Sparrow

Saw a lobster in its hole.

Nice snorkel, visibility not bad. Aces father is a novice. He mostly held on to a life-preserver while the captain pulled him around. Ace needed to help him also, so we stayed close.

We didn’t spend a lot of time in the water because he was anxious to go to happy hour.

This evening we had dinner with Ace and her father at a lovely Mediterranean restaurant, La Sirena, overlooking the town square.

My friend arrived, Angelina….also goes by Ace or Lina. She is editor and associate producer on Night Moves, my radio show.

Surprisingly, her father is here on the last of his vacation. We met up, had breakfast and went snorkeling.

I met what will be our dive master and captain, Joaquin

Captian Joaquin

I went snorkeling in the early afternoon today. Been a little stressed over my son’s girfriends’ passport situation.

More about the snorkel in a moment. I just got back, had my shower, and feel so unbelievably relaxed, just like I had a massage. Relaxing in repose while visions of clear turquoise water with fish and other graceful creatures still swimming in my minds eye.

About the snorkel, lots of seaweed have washed up on the shore and in is the water for a few feet. It affect did affect the visibility a bit, I think.

Here in PM the reef is close, there are boats that take you out to the reef, with a captain and an underwater guide. He leads the swim/snorkel quite briskly, I must say. I was taking underwater pictures  so kept falling behind. Then had to swim hard to catch up. I like to daughtle when I snorkel and take pics. When you swim up, the fish slither into their holes. if you just relax and float for a few seconds they swim back out and you got your picture. However, this snorkel was more like shoot and swim. I plan to find the guy we used last time I was here, I looked but couldn’t find him today. Just went with one of the guys that were hawking the snorkel trips.

With traveling, you learn to roll with the punches or deal with the anxiety of things not going as planned.

On this trip from my home in San Antonio, TX to Peurto Morales, Mexico it all transpired just like you hope it does, but rarely happens. Got to the airport early, flights were all on time, arrived in Cancun, breezed through customs and immigration, right outside the airport door, a uniformed man holding a sign with my name on it for Happy Shuttle. He drove straight to Casa Veleros, the house I rented for a month. The lady was waiting with a key to show me around.

The house is really cute, 2 br, 2 bath, full living, dining room and kitchen. I explored around for awhile.

Unfortunately had to deal with from stress at home. My son, Chris, and his girlfriend are coming down in a week. She still doesn’t have her passport and their trip is in peril. There are many reasons this has gotten me upset…maybe I’ll elaborate later.

Upstairs in Casa Veleros…there’s a palapa and deck with a pool, hammocks, and ocean view. I layed in the hammock, gazing at the blue ocean…Beatles songs wafted in the air, intersected with Mexican tunes, from a nearby restaurant singer.

A found my moment of Zen. Welcome to Puerto Morales.

The first time I lost my hair from chemotherapy. My daughter cut me a cute mohawk…before shaving it off.

The second time my cancer came back….she made me up to be Goth. Scary isn’t it?

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I started this blog to document the dying coral reef around the world, and find areas where the reef is surviving. However, this became my travel blog.

Over the last 2 years, I made a journey that I never wanted to make…..cancer treatment and bone marrow transplant.

Making this journey, from an interesting perspective as a past oncology nurse, there were times I wondered if a little ignorance might be bliss?

Enduring those procedures to save my life…. (scans, biopsies, multiple chemotherapy, spinal tap and so forth), in those worse moments…I imagined jumping into that clear, healing water of the Carribean. It refreshes and washes away fear.

I am leaving this week to spend a month in the Mexican Carribean…. Going to Puerto Morales, Mx.

I’ll celebrate one year from my bone marrow transplant, in remission.

Last day in London town…it’s raining..kinda fits my mood. It’s my last day. Time has passed fast. Now back to the real world, am looking forward to getting back into my little routine and see my family. Traveling around..meeting great people and seeing new sights, and tasting delicious international foods..is a bit of a dream world.

My greatest moments were my interviews. I wondered what common thread all of us have, that work in Sexuality? Would I find wounded souls?? I found lovely creative people that had just enough wounding to make them have compassion and empathy, for others…and by helping others…they’ve found the secret to helping themselves to learn and grow. It’s been a fabulous experience, met friends for life, and plan to return and help document their journey and rebirth.

On a humorous note, for those of you interested..no, I did not find a man. Unfortunately, I return the virgin queen. I so wanted a man to say “I fancy you”….just like in the British movies. But not for me.

Spent this morning packing..getting ready for the morning. I took a long walk to the Baywater area. For my last meal, had Indian. Then a little later…afternoon tea. Perfect way to top off a trip to London.

Now I’m trying to complete my blog and make arrangements to to get to the airport early in the morning. Purchased my train ticket to the airport on line. I have a long hike in the morning with my bags to the train station. The first word in jounalism and tavel..you gotta be able to carry your own bags and equipment.

That evening met a really fun and interesting girl from Sweden. We had lots of laughs for my last night…in jolly old London. And say farewell… hasta la vista…I will return.

Woke up tired this morning. All that spanking and flogging is hard work. hehe

Heard a little boy say,”Da deee. I see the rivahhhh.

Took a long walk to Kensington Park and Hyde Park. The English Garden.

Am back now trying to decide for my last day in London, tomorrow..

Ate an Indian lunch, the food was pretty good but the service is terrible.

Tonight, haven’t seen anyone new for our room…may be a quiet night in old London town.

This morning started off with a panic. The water was off in the hostel. The desk told me that there was one shower with cold water only. I’m taking it! There was a guy in there and 2 german kids waiting before me..their choir is due to be at rehearsal in 45 min for a concert tomorrow with the London Philharmonic. The guy in the shower was taking forever…after lots of jokes about “what’s he doing in there?” I knocked on the door, he just kept knocking back. He finally came out with a scowl on his face. There are always asses everywhere. The german guys were fast and I took the quickest shower in history. My car came at 10:00, I was the first to arrive at the purple door.

The Purple door is a beginning workshop for those desiring to learn more about BDSM. Bondage, Discipline, Sado, Masocistic. There are several reasons for these practices, 1) In receiving pain, the body produces endorphins, these cause a euphoric high. 2) trauma in childhood, being hit and being powerless, through the acts of BDSM, heals the trauma 3) Others there is some undefined quality that draws them to BDSM.

It’s leader/educator is London Faerie, his partner is Martie, from Prague, the Chech Republic. They are a lovely couple and have found this way to express their own loving sexuality, Estactic BDSM. My goal is to interview Faerie. He suggested that I attend the workshop so that I may understand it all better.

There are 10 participants, male and female, including me. I’m a little wary but determined to be a good sport and new knowledge is always precious. My worries, that my vanilla sexuality, will stand out is quickly dispelled. All the people are sweet, kind and loving. They are all here because they’ve tried BDSM and desire to know more.

It’s good that people get instruction before going in depth in these techniques.

We started the morning, going to different people in the room..asking for something, then the same exercise saying what we don’t want. The key to BDSM is asking for what you want, saying no, and setting boundaries up front.

We got instructions on spanking, using our hands, what part of the body part to hit, what to avoid. Then we practiced. I got 2, yes, 2 guys! Tom and Christolph. We got on either side of Tom, with partially cupped hands, started on the shoulders, upper back, buttocks, thighs, and calves. Tom wanted me to hit harder. Then we did the same to Christolph. All the while, the “receiver” of the spankings, is giving you feedback. Then came my turn. They started on me, reminded me of the respiratory therapy chest clapping, OK..but ??.

Martie is a monitor that goes around and helps. She told the guys that I wasn’t really “into it”. She showed then a technique of light punching and kneading of the skin…now that’s more like it…like a back massage. At the end of it all, we had a group hug, me and the two guys…NOW, that is pleasurable! Tom, he’s young, early 20s, identifies as Bi, told me that he grew up in a Catholic sex negative household and always knew that he was different. He is sexually and emotionally drawn to women, but has a thing for “pretty boys”, although has only engaged with foreplay with boys.

After a break, We learned about the “implements of torture” ( my words). We learned to spank with a paddle, to flog, and to cane. We practiced with partners for 15 min each. I have Christolph. I felt a little sorry for him..he’s into being spanked.. and he deserves a someone that is more into it. So I’m trying to do my best.

I learned that I like flogging more than I like being flogged. After 5 min of receiving flogging…it didn’t do anything for me. But flogging him is a bit fun.. you kinda get in a rhythm.. and to strategicially hit a certain spot. Then ever so often, an element of surprise, I’d give him a wallop!

But on the implement table, I found these fur gloves… I used them to rub his back…I liked that, but he wanted to go back to the whip. Some of the participants, took off all their clothes..I took off my boots and jacket. I kinda admired their guts..I’m just too uptight.

In the next part, we are to pick a person and ask for what we want specifically. I am able to bow out of this…needing to set up my equipment for Faerie’s interview that I am to conduct after the workshop. Christolph got a girl, what was really into it. I’m glad.

For me, it’s preferable to be a casual observer. I spent the rest of the time..working on my questions for the interview and did some watching. I saw some red bottoms! The men were into bring spanked..guess it’s letting loose of that macho male..always needing to be in control thing. The men like the cane, seems it’s a British headmaster thing.

One of the female participants…Think her name is Kate? Sorry, should have written it down. Enjoyed talking to her and we had things in common. She’s enjoying this workshop, because she enjoys being spanked… her partners want to rush through it to get to the sex part…yeah, guys.. this was a safe environment…that she could be spanked with no expectations. Most people there did not want to talk or let me take their pic, due to confidentially. I could tell at the end, they all really did get something out of it, and on kinda a high…maybe it’ll be the new drug of the Millennium?

The interview with Faerie is great. He explained BDSM so well and with a fresh perspective. He talked in the workshop, that in the past, he was married, corporate job, and dying inside. This is him finding his bliss and expressing his real self. You can feel the bliss and passion. That aspect is always exciting to me.

For better or worse, the 50 Shades of Grey movie is coming out in Feb 2015. Although the BDSM community does not accept it, I fully agree with their reasons…I have my own reasons of why I don’t like it. Saying all that, with the US and our media, It will draw attention to BDSM. So maybe sexual educators like Faerie, can use that open door….to open the Purple Door to them.

As I assess the day, I learned a great deal, so that I may also, through the radio medium, educate people that have an interest of BDSM. That is the purpose of Night Moves..if anyone wants to engage in sexual behavior, they can learn the facts based on research, learn the benefits and risks…enabling them to make in informed decision.

So in my life, if ever the need arises for me to spank, flog or cane someone..I know how to do it safely.

Took a taxi back, ran into to Bruno, on the way to our room. I told him that I finished my work tonight. I told him about the BDSM workshop..and how I found… I like to throw a flog better that being flogged. We laughed and laughed. He said my new knick name is Kinky Ann. Then Katie came in, we also laughed. They are both leaving in the morning. They are both so fun!! Bruno, from Brazil, just graduated with an architecture degree and his uncle gave his a ticket to Europe. Nice! He’s heading to Budapest. Katie, from Maryland, is teaching here for a year, at Morbrough Boarding School, a hoity, toirty school for the rich and famous.

Also Mani, from Spain, he’s a TV newsman. He’s also been fun. He went to the BBC, and got an insiders tour, but didn’t get to see the live radio area. This is a fun group of bunkmates..will miss them.