So, it has been about five days that I’m officially riding solo…

It’s been interesting and very different to being in a group. I think initially what I’m loving the most is doing whatever I want, whenever I want. Do I want to go for a long walk and get a beer at the end? Okay cool, that’s what I’ll do. Do I feel like finding a new beach and testing the water? Great, I’ll find somewhere to go. Do I feel peckish and want some lunch? Yes I do, where’s the nearest restaurant? There’s a very nice freedom in it all.

On my first proper solo day, I just walked for ages and came across these gorgeous natural pools near Los Abrigos, along the southern coastline. I swam about there for a while, then wandered further to another beach for yet another swim. I then walked back through the town of Los Abrigos and was dying of thirst, but the waiter asked if I wanted a beer, and hey presto suddenly I had a pint in front of me! It was very refreshing. I will say, I did feel a bit awkward at the start, being a young solo girl just sitting in this restaurant alone (who’s phone also was about to die), but I’m trying to set a target of sitting for at least an hour in a place to get used to that feeling because it shouldn’t be weird. Also, nobody really gives a shit, and that’s a very liberating feeling. Once I passed the initial awkward stage, I ended up having great fun. The restaurant has a view over a busy little harbour, which kept me entertained, as well as the lovely waiters who I’d chat to. I also just love people watching, so if I have a pint and a view, I’m generally quite content.

On another day, I thought it would be nice to do a yoga class on the beach, and sure enough I found one in El Medano. I got up early to catch the bus and wandered around the town as people got up and got to work. I love watching a town wake up, or being part of that ‘wake up’ feeling as cafes open, people go on their morning runs, while others make their way to the office. I used to chat about this energy with my housemate, Katie, who would remark on this: “There’s a whole other world out there before 8am!”. I agree.

Anyway, did my yoga right by the ocean for about an hour with a very sweet German instructor. I then strolled along the coast until I got to my new favourite café. It sits right between two surf schools and looks over the portion of the beach where the surfers, kitesurfers, windsurfers etc (lots of surfy vibes here) all catch their waves, so it makes for a very entertaining view. It was only about 10am so it was still relatively quiet, but I got my coffee and threw on a podcast as I watched the beach gradually fill up. Before I knew it, it was already 12, which meant the kitchen had opened and the waiter came up and asked if I wanted anything. Calamari, of course! Just as I ordered, a lady asked if the seat beside me was taken. “Not at all”, I say. The waiter must’ve known her because he asked if she wanted the German menu. She said no. Me, eager to make conversation, asked if she was German. She was Austrian, but it was enough to strike up a conversation for about two hours as we sat together and enjoyed our lunch.

Her name is Eva Maria and she’s a mediator who specialises in conflict resolution through the use of horses. How random is that? She said there’s something about a horse’s energy that can help humans better understand themselves, and so she hosts retreats (particularly for lawyers) in her stud and helps people resolve inner/outer conflicts. She was fascinating. She’s travelled the world, but doesn’t have a favourite country. She just likes to go where she feels drawn to. Sometimes she needs lots of nature, so she’ll go to New Zealand, but sometimes she needs the ocean and comes to Tenerife. When asked about Ireland, she said its the energy of the people. I agreed. Two minutes later she said “and the Guinness is really good there”. I had to laugh. She’s 71 and talked to me about how she’s so excited for life and every stage that comes with it. She discussed her own upbringing and why she has this excitement for life as someone who grew up in Austria shortly after the war. She came from nothing, but her parents managed to save enough to send her to a good school, where she was classmates with the Princess of Lichtenstein. However, she said she always felt limited by her circumstances given that her classmates (including the princess) were financially better off. She spent years trying to undo the generational trauma she grew up with and now she feels completely limitless. She told me an affirmation that helped her: “I choose to dissolve the feeling of being limited”. So for anyone who is feeling limited, listen to Eva Maria! We also talked about the joy of insignificance and the freedom it gives you. Eva Maria remarked how nature has a way of reminding us of our insignificance, be you surrounded by Alps, the ocean or fields of green, you realise how tiny you are and therefore, why wouldn’t you just do the thing you planned to do? We are all just little beings with a life to live! We were very philosophical, and I’m sure I’ll have plenty more thoughts on our conversation. Eva Maria and I chatted for quite a while after, each equally intrigued in each other’s stories. Eva Maria noted that there is a sign in us meeting and we might not know why yet, but it could come around full circle, as long as we are open to it. So if I meet Eva Maria in Dublin in two years, sipping on a Guinness, I shall let ye know. We parted ways and I went about the rest of my solo day, feeling quite content with how this solo thing has been going.

I’ve developed a little routine in the evenings, where I tend to get up Google Maps and zoom in to the coastline, picking what looks like a good swim spot and I try make it a goal to go there the following day. Last night’s pick was particularly good. Just a 30 minute walk away, I came across this gorgeous little cove, almost a rock pool but still connected to the ocean. The water was so incredibly turquoise, but my pictures don’t really capture it. It was quiet as well. I couldn’t understand how this little paradise wasn’t mobbed with people, but I’m not complaining. The colour of the water was already wow, but it was also warm and calm and filled with fish. The cove was also surround by rocks with little crabs just minding their business, going about their day. I think of the word tranquil. That’s probably the most fitting word I can find for this place. I hung about there for about 3 hours, just watching the fishies and the crabs doing their thing. I then popped in a podcast as I slowly walked back home. I made sure to do the coastal walk back as it had gotten very hot and I needed a breeze. I’m listening to a gas podcast at the moment (Guide to Parenting) which I think is making me look a bit delulu as I consistently find myself laughing out loud to myself. I don’t know what the Tenerifians think about that, but again, who gives a shit really? It’s the joy of insignificance!

I’ve also been doing a great job lately of trying new recipes. More on that another time though. Ta-ta!