It all starts at the sight of a spider, the size of my hand, bolting from my neighbor's door frame across the adjoining wall, and stopping right next to my door. I freeze. The neighbors run inside. My blood is rushing past my ears and the panic sets in... I need to get the fuck out of here. Never setting foot inside my room I power walk to the internet cafe, while jumping at every scurrying lizard, and book another room on the other side of the island. I don't care what it cost me, I was not going to stay at the Paradise Beach Resort.
After a long but relieving taxi ride, I arrive at Pathea Residences. I get to my room and open the back doors, look out at the water and start to cry. I am young and have worked hard but not long enough to deserve something like that view. I got on Skype and called my Mamma. She needed to hear my story and see this view. She is the one who deserved to be there and I had to let her know. I could never imagine a place that gave me such relief to call it home and humbled me just to know it is mine for only a short time.