I think it always needs courage to travel far away by yourself. But this courage makes you stronger and you get closer to yourself. Stepping into the airplane is the first step to leave your ’normal‘ life for a while, switching the smartphone off and flying into a new experience: Talking to strangers about their travel plans, asking for help, watching the people around you. While flying, there are still some things in your mind keeping you busy. Some of them seem to fly away. Other thoughts are like a mental luggage. But the change of perspective is a great opportunity to gain clarity, new energy and ideas.

There are so many places in the world I want to discover but sometimes there is this favourite place, pulling me like a magnet. This place is special for me and I think it’s magic.

When I started my holidays, I was fascinated by a family with two kids sitting in front of me in the airplane, especially by the father. He watched me with severe look when his son started to talk and play with me. And I felt a bit insecure. In fact I wasn’t really relaxed yet. Because of different languages his son and I only communicated via sign language, and when he showed me proudly his little toy-cars I felt the father’s imperious glance on my shoulders. But he stood there without moving, just watching us, when his son kept communicating with me although I tried not to motivate the curious kid.

Later, when the kids had fallen asleep while flying with that super jumbo, their father still stood close to their seats watching them all the time like an eagle watching its aerie, strong and authoritative. But his eyes so full of love, still protecting his sleeping kids although it was a calm flight. Before I fell asleep right behind them, too, I opened my eyes again for a short moment. And suddenly that man smiled at me, nodded and it felt like he was also protecting me on this flight. I smiled back, closed my eyes. This small gesture was nice and precious – a comfortable start for my journey.

The beautiful beach and ocean, music playing almost everywhere, the tropical atmosphere and all the wonderful colours there have always inspired me. I fell in love with Miami many years ago. When I go there once in a while it’s a mixture of coming home-feeling and being a stranger. It’s always a journey into the past, having sweet memories. But I know: The past is over and now it’s about the present and future. Sometimes it’s necessary to go back and find out what it is, that keeps the heart busy – and to solve it.

It’s hard to find out that some people are not reliable anymore. Sometimes it’s about realizing that a friend is not a friend anymore. But then another person you haven’t seen for years shows up and there is still a tender bond of deep sympathy. Besides there a new people stepping into your life, like a famous writer. I didn’t know him before. But when he started talking to me, he suddenly gave me he his book and said: That’s my present for you! And I felt blessed.

I also remember the young and attractive waiter at a restaurant. His eyes looked like a mixture of the Caribbean Sea and diamonds. Magic. His appearance and behaviour towards me were so charming. One day I was worried about something. I told him about it. And he said with a smooth voice: ‚Hey lady, don’t worry. Everything is alright. Life is good‘. Just a few words. But I relaxed and enjoyed my meal sitting under palm trees and a clear blue sky. While sitting in the restaurant, all his attentive gestures made me smile and laugh.

Being inspired by all the beautiful artwork in Wynwood and other creative places I haven’t seen before in Miami, visiting my favourite bookstore, walking along the beach every day, feeling the sand under my feet, taking pictures, the skin being kissed by the warm sun, enjoying fresh, exotic food, the best fruit smoothies and the most delicious lemon cake I have ever had while watching the ocean, swimming of course – all these moments felt like balm for the soul. And while swimming I thought of diving into the past, emerging, breathing in the present moments and opening up for all the new adventures of the future. I took all these magic moments and images of inspiration and happiness with me – my new mental luggage. And my new book. And so many other ideas…