As promised yesterday, I am thrilled to welcome my friend and fabulous writer, Guilie, back here to celebrate her love story as part of her new book launch tour. More info at the end of this post – and please do look out for my book review of “The Miracle of Small Things”
Congratulations on your 12th anniversary with your partner, Guilie! I am honored by your presence here today! Wishing you many more!
Here’s the coffee – over to you!
The Miracle of Place
by Guilie Castillo Oriard
A very special love story began exactly twelve years ago today. And I can’t think of a more fitting place to mark this anniversary than Vidya’s thoughtful, mindful blog, always in celebration of life and what gives it meaning. Thank you, Vidya, for having me. It’s an honor and a pleasure to share this story with you and your readers.
You see, this love story shaped my life.
On the evening of October 30th, 2003, I took two clients to La Belle Terrace, Curaçao’s nicest restaurant at the time. I was starting my fifth month on the island, but I barely knew my way around: I worked long days and, what little free time I couldn’t avoid, I spent by the condo pool pretending to get over the non-relationship that had propelled me from my life in Cancun and into this six-month stint at a place I’d never even heard about. But even this indifferent drifter knew La Belle Terrace’s reputation, and I was looking forward to dinner.
Photo credit: www.avilahotel.com
In passing, I’d mentioned this to a new friend, a man I’d met through a co-worker’s boyfriend a couple of weeks earlier. He and some friends would be right next door, he said, at the Blues jazz bar. If we felt like it, maybe we could join them afterwards?
This was a nice man. Nicer than I’d known in a long time, maybe ever. But I was being careful. Of my bruised heart, sure, but also, because he was nice and kind—and because my co-worker had warned me, He’s the kind to fall in love—of his potentially unbruised and thus more vulnerable one.
Service in the Caribbean tends to be, uhm, unhurried, and by the time we paid the check, the jazz band at Blues had packed up and gone. Ah, well, I thought. Probably better this way.
He was waiting outside the restaurant for us. For me. He’d made his friends wait, too, on the off-chance that I might still want to hang out.
Later that night, at the edge of a soca concert on the beach, I kissed him. Spur-of-the-moment thing—or maybe not. At some point between the restaurant and the beach, I think I understood something: I was running, and I’d been running for years. Not away, necessarily; more like in place. So steeped in ambition and achievement and expectations that I’d forgotten to be alive.
And here, in this tiny rock in the ocean, I’d finally remembered.
It was a bad idea, kissing him. I was leaving in December, back to Cancun and my other, real, life.
Except I didn’t. And, although it took me a whole month more to admit it, I think, deep down, I made the decision to stay—to give life a chance—that day on the beach.
Was it because of this man? Yes. Absolutely. But here’s the thing: I believe it wouldn’t happened if we had met somewhere else.
Places change people. Not every place affects everyone the same way (that would be so cool, wouldn’t it? come to Curaçao, or New York, or Goa, and—voilá, instant bliss), but every place does affect everyone, in some way, big or small.
By that October night in 2003, the island had been working its magic on me, like an exfoliant of the soul, for months. Without it, I’d most likely have let this wonderful man go—and wouldn’t even have known what I was losing.
No real surprise, then, that this influence of ‘place’ is the main theme of my novel-in-stories, THE MIRACLE OF SMALL THINGS. (Set in Curaçao. Of course.) And the book is dedicated to the man I kissed that night on the beach. His name is Cor, and today we celebrate twelve years together.
Now you know what that parenthesis, the Yes, literally, means.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? How do you think you might be different if you lived there? Do you believe where you live now has changed or shaped you? In what ways?
ABOUT THE MIRACLE OF SMALL THINGS:
A Novel in 13 Stories
Mexican tax lawyer Luis Villalobos is lured to the tiny island of Curaçao anticipating a fast track to the cusp of an already stellar career. But the paradise we expect is so rarely the paradise we find.
The book was released in paperback this past August, and has received enthusiastic feedback:
ABOUT GUILIE:
Guilie Castillo Oriard is a Mexican writer and dog rescuer living in Curaçao. She transferred to Curaçao “for six months”—and, twelve years later, has yet to find a reason to leave. She misses Mexican food and Mexican amabilidad, but the laissez-faire attitude (and the beaches) are fair exchange. And the island’s diversity provides great fodder for her obsession with culture clashes.
Her work has appeared online and, in print, as part of several anthologies, such as Pure Slush’s 2014 A Year In Stories and gorge. Her first book, The Miracle of Small Things (Truth Serum Press) was published in August 2015. She’s currently working on a full-length novel.
She blogs about life and writing at http://guilie-castillo-oriard.blogspot.com and about life and dogs at http://lifeindogs.blogspot.com/. She is on Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT THE TOUR:
To celebrate the release of MIRACLE in e-book formats (Kindle, epub, iBook, and Kobo formats, Nook to follow shortly), THE MIRACLE OF SMALL THINGS is going on virtual tour. Several blogs will be hosting Guilie throughout November to talk about writing, about the book, its island setting and its characters — including a 100-lb. monster dog rescued from the streets — and some of the issues MIRACLE touches on, such as the role of large and small things in the realignment of our values, and the power of place in our definition of self.
20 comments
It’s a wonderful post… a magical love story…
That photo of Guilie and Cor says it all!
I’m really looking forward to reading the book!
Michelle Wallace recently posted…The Listing Hop
Thank you Michelle! I’m so glad you came by 🙂 Your book will be on its way soon… I’m so sorry for the delay; had some “inventory” issues (deliveries to obscure Caribbean islands are a bit of a challenge). But I’m dying for you to read it! Thanks for the support and the enthusiasm… It means so much 🙂
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
🙂 Hugs, Michelle! You know our Guilie’s book will be fantastic! Thank you for coming by, dear friend!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Togetherness is Getting Real!
Vidya, thank you so much for hosting me! It’s always a pleasure, and an honor, to be featured at your blog, but today—and with this story—it’s beyond special. And a perfectly fitting way to celebrate, not just the book but this personal milestone. Hugs, and gratitude in buckets!
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
Guilie, the pleasure is entirely mine! You know there are some people in our lives we just love – to me you’re one of those people in my life. You’ve no idea how touched I was that you chose to share your lovely story here! Grateful!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Is it possible to live a completely fulfilling life? #themindilluminated
Thanks Vidya for hosting Guilie! How lovely that you two beautiful souls are interacting! I loved this post and the photographs and Henry Miller’s quote! Hope all is well with you and family and that your son’s exams have been successful.
Susan Scott recently posted…Excerpt from The Diary of Anne Frank
Thank you so much for the visit, Susan! I’m a big, big fan of Vidya’s — her blog is inspiration to happiness any time, anywhere 🙂
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
So happy to see you, Susan! I love Guilie’s writing and I am honored she is here today!. Thank you for your kindness asking about my son – he’s now away at college in a different city (boo-hoo sniff, sniff!) and seems to be adjusting well, bless him.
Hugs and love to you! I think of you, you know!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Charmed
Your story is lovely and I want to read your book now, for sure. I most want to live anywhere along the sea, and regret that I’ve let life’s current drift me along yet keep me in place somehow. At least I can be grateful my dull suburb is a friendly place. Awesome photos, by the way, and I adore that you rescue animals. Thank you for sharing your story as well as your gift of writing. Best wishes!
Darla M Sands recently posted…Flipping Over Flippers
Hugs, Darla! I know how life sweeps us along its flow – but I love how you pointed out the good stuff! There used to be a time when I wanted to live by the sea…but somewhere down the line, I switched to a mountain cabin. 🙂
Guilie is so wonderful – and so is her book. I hope you read it. I know you’ll love it!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Inhaling Love Exhaling Gratitude
I’m thrilled to hear that, Darla! I’d love to know what you think of the story once you’ve read it. (There’s a good bit about dog rescue in it… Couldn’t help myself 😉 ) I hear you about the drifting “in place”… I think most (if not all) of us are a victim of that in some way. But hey, friendly is high on the desirable scale in this day and age. As a fan of the seaside, though, I do hope you get to live on the shore one day.
So, so glad you visited. Thank you!
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
What a wonderful love story. Happy Anniversary, Guilie and Cor! 🙂
Awesome photo, with the Taj Mahal as a backdrop, no less.
Curacao must be a magical place as it opened your heart to accept true love, Guilie.
Beautiful post, Vidya!
Smiling, smiling……:D
Debbie D. recently posted…AUTUMN IN SUBURBIA – SUNDAYS IN MY CITY
Hugs, Debbie! I am so happy to have Guilie here! And I am looking forward to reading her post at your place 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…The Miracle of Place @Guilie73
Thank you, Debbie! I’m so pleased to celebrate in this awesome company! Glad you enjoyed the story, and the photos… Yeah, I have a bit of a problem being “objective” about Curaçao… This island has given me so much. Many people don’t like it, though—but to me it will always be a place of magic indeed 🙂
So glad you stopped by!
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
Such a wonderful story Vidya…Thanks for bringing this to us…I always get something positive after reading posts on your blog Vidya and today is no different!
Happy Anniversary to Guilie!
nabanita recently posted…The Beautiful Chaos of Times Together
🙂 Naba, you always make me feel very “mission accomplished” – and today is no different! Hugs – I am happy you came by today, especially. I am enjoying having Guilie here!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Togetherness is Getting Real!
I’m so glad you liked the story, Nabanita! I agree with you… Vidya’s blog is an unfailing source of feel-good — I’m honored to be a part of that today 🙂 Thanks for the visit, and for the congratulations. Happy weekend for you!
Guilie Castillo recently posted…The First Dozen (A Love Story)
Simply beautiful. How many people do not take that chance? You did and are enriched for it. Congrats on living! So many people do not. This was special of Vidya to have you speak about your book and life change here. I always dreamed of living somewhere in Austria. I always felt a kinship there. Although my mom is German, her sister and, later, her parents traveled and stayed in Austria. I almost went way back when I was 23 but life does strange things and I was meant to stay here. My dad became ill and I knew my mom needed me. I could not leave. That was back in 1987. If I would have left, I would not have been there for my mom. I would not have been part of a beautiful family which was my ex’s. I would not have my job where I have felt enriched because of helping so many people. My mom now has dementia so I would not leave plus, if i had, I would not be with my hubby now and still remain good friends with my ex. There is always a reason. Who knows…maybe one day Austria may have a new resident…just not now…and that’s OK
🙂 You know, Birgit, my Grandma always loved to say that we are usually where we are meant to be, by choice or by default. I admire you for embracing living where you are – you must bring so much joy to the lives of the people you touch, both at work and in your circle of family and friends. I’ve had dream places that I’ve had the opportunity to visit, and for the moment, that is good enough. As you said, who knows! For now, all is good. Hugs, Birgit. Thank you for coming here today. I appreciate you deeply.
Vidya Sury recently posted…The Miracle of Place @Guilie73
As Vidya said, Birgit, it is indeed admirable how you’ve embraced not just where you live but the choices you’ve made. It sounds to me like there’s no room for regret in your life, and that’s exactly the way it would be. Besides, if you had moved to Austria, you would probably not be the person you are now… and that would be a loss for us all 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting, Birgit! And I’m sorry about the late reply… I must’ve missed the notification when your comment was logged in. But I’m glad I came back to check—and found *you*! 🙂
Guilie Castillo recently posted…Driving Licenses: Mexico vs. Curaçao (+ The Metaphor of Prison, c/o @ArleeBird )