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The silent contrast: Finding peace in quit days | Day 313 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Nov 10, 2023

The silent contrast.

Some photos are great. Maybe this one will not go down in history, but it does - at least to me - very well represent the days we live here at Playa. On the rooftop terrace in the sunset, splashing in the cool water, just the five of us.

We are making peace with the facts of life here. This is not the Mexico we came to see; this is not a place where we will ever go back - yet somehow, it is the perfect frame for us as we try to find our feet, our souls, and our peace.

We lived about 15 months in the Mercedes before we flew to Cancun.

We traveled in Spain, France, and Scandinavia, back down to Holland, Belgium, France, and Spain again, then the trip over the Mediterranean to Civitavecchia, and drove to Sicily, where we had some pause in beautiful Vila Nina.

In February this year, we were on a road trip around Sicily before zigzagging all over Italy in March and (half of) April.

We lived for a month at a castle in Normandie, sleeping in the van and hanging out with many travelers, mostly Americans soon to become our new great friends.

Scandinavia again, before another road trip through Holland, Belgium, and France, before we spend six weeks in England, moving around like ants.

As a Grand Finale, we walked 270 km of the Camino de Santiago before we drove back to Catalunia to visit the grandparents, ship and let go of most of our stuff, sell the bus, and pack the backpacks.

We did, indeed, need a pause without having to plan for it.

Playa used to be a slow town by the waters, now it is a buzzing playground for gringos, and we find ourselves to be some of them.

We can laugh about it, and we can observe the little things that seem real - but we are facing our own music: We wanted to go somewhere NOT interesting so we could calm down and stay home and work on our private projects for mind and body.

We did not expect it to be this repelling, but it works.

We hide at the rooftop in the cool waters, ignoring the craziness out there.

And we are learning to appreciate it.

We needed a place where we didn’t want to go out.

And now we have it.

Perfect?

With love

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

Thank you for reading
I would love to hear from you. Listen to your thoughts and reflections - or praise :) It is often emotional to share our lives like this, and we get very happy when we get your feedback. So feel free to share a comment below 😋 

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Unschooling and Parent consulting, conversations, blogposts, and podcasts on family life and learning

Hi, I'm Cecilie Conrad. I'm a trained psychologist, mother of four, radical unschooler and full-time traveller. I have lived with unschooling for over a decade and help other families find their own path – whether it is about homeschooling, unschooling, or the bigger question of how you want to live as a family.

I offer guidance, conversations and talks. I call my work grandmothering – not coaching in the traditional sense, but presence, professional insight and concrete help navigating motherhood and finding your way home to your own values.

Am I the right person to help you? You can book a free discovery call, and we'll talk and figure it out.

Unschooling & Parent Consultant
Grandmothering – not coaching. Read more here

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I share my knowledge and curiosity about family life and learning in my two podcasts.

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Read my latest blogposts

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Exploring Street Art and Cultural Symbols in a Subtropical Setting | Day 296 of my 2023 Journal
A walk through the local market reveals the beauty of street art and its vulnerability to time and change. The experience is enriched by the discover…Read more
The Heart of Darkness: A Critical Look at Tourism in Playa del Carmen | Day 295 of my 2023 Journal
A thought-provoking day trip to Portal Maya in Playa del Carmen reveals the complexities of modern tourism. The experience raises questions about eco…Read more
When Friends Arrive: A Day of Discoveries in Playa del Carmen | Day 294 of my 2023 Journal
Jetlag and emotional shifts mark our second day in Playa. As we await friends, we explore local markets and street art, challenging first impressions…Read more
Playa del Turismo: Navigating First Impressions of Playa del Carmen | Day 293 of my 2023 Journal
In Playa del Carmen, we confront initial reactions to tourism and local flavors. The "Why are we here?" question sparks deep reflection and planning.…Read more
Over the Pond: Balancing Fears and Trust on a 20-Hour Journey to Playa del Carmen | Day 292 of my 2023 Journal
Navigating a 20-hour journey to Playa del Carmen, we confront various fears and challenges, from dietary restrictions to border controls. Despite the…Read more
You Carry Your Fears, Literally: The Psychology of Packing for Long-Term Travel | Day 291 of my 2023 Journal
Transitioning from van life to backpacking, our packing choices reveal hidden fears. As we embark on a seven-month journey, we face the challenge of …Read more
The Heart of Nomadic Life: Building Friendships Across Borders | Day 290 of my 2023 Journal
In our sixth year of full-time nomadic living, we've found that the real adventure lies in the people we meet. From Europe to America, friendships ar…Read more
The Minimalist Approach to Travel: Choosing Being Over Having | Day 289 of my 2023 Journal
As we transition to a life in backpacks, we're reminded of the power of minimalism. Discover how shedding the non-essentials not only lightens the lo…Read more
The Emotional Journey of Selling Our Bus: A Chapter Closed, A New Adventure Begins | Day 288 of my 2023 Journal
We say goodbye to our beloved bus, a symbol of freedom and togetherness. From its purchase in Sweden to its final resting place at Mon la Bassa, disc…Read more
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