Day Five

Outer Journey:

A free day!  This has been the day I was looking forward too. Go to the places I wanted to that we didn’t get to visit previously, go to the stores and do my shopping, and a moment to relax.  My free day started with Voodoo Authentica where we were getting a spiritual reading.  I was the second person to go, this gave me time to really look at and explore the store.  Then it was my turn.  I am the type of person that I am so interested in this stuff (psychic readings, ghost tours, monsters, etc.) but I am cynical of it.  I don’t want to say I don’t believe but it takes a whole lot to make me a believer.  Let me tell you, Charlie who was the spiritual reader just about has me believing. Everything he said was spot on, the words he used to described certain things are specific words I use.  The way he described a specific family of mine and where he asked the others that went of their relationship status, he just talked about mine with such certainty already seeming to know the answer…and he was completely accurate.  I still struggle to say I believe but I’m that much closer.  When I was done, I walked to Jackson Square to meet up for lunch and did some shopping.  I went to Creole Delicacies because I had to get the chip dip (or two of them) and some vanilla for my baking.  I then went down to the 1850s house because I saw two small voodoo skeleton ornaments that I knew my children would love.  I found a few other items there for them as well.  I spent some time walking around Jackson Square admiring the art and street performers.  I then went back to the hotel to take my items back and took a nap before meeting everyone at Deanie’s Seafood for dinner.  I felt this place was priced well and gave out huge servings.  We were all pretty exhausted for the night so we went back to the hotel to shower and got our rooms all cleaned and packed up and spent the night in. 

Inner Journey:

Being able to travel on my own is always my favorite.  I love to wander around a city that’s new to me and be able to see where it takes me. That is where I find things that interest me the most.  I felt the city spoke to me through my spiritual reading, it helped me feel connected to the culture of the city.  I feel that I didn’t necessarily learn anything new about myself but more that it was confirmed my love of travel and continually learning about different cultures and cities. What was most impactful was the spiritual reading for sure.  It really opened my eyes to not only the culture of voodoo but to myself as well. There were things that were said that I don’t think Charlie (the spiritual reader) could have known from meeting me for a minute beforehand.  I made sure to not share anything before hand and keep very quiet during him talking to not give anything away.  It was the best and creepiest reading I have ever had. I felt that possibly it was a true connection to a spirit that gave me these insights.  It did make me go about my day differently.  One of the things that was said was I tend to lead people to much or will make suggestions, not in a authoritative way but in a helpful manner.  I was told I need to try to stop doing that to keep from draining myself.  So throughout the rest of the day when asked a question I tried to consciously not make the decision for the group and let them decide…even as simple as where to walk to.