Romance Tourism

Repeatedly thinking about your narcissist is by grand design.

*Neuro linguistics programming is the influence of brain behavior through the use of language and communication to recode the way a person thinks or responds to stimuli.

I was watching a video on YouTube called…

“Repeatedly thinking about your narcissist is by grand design”

by Luminousz Ztarr https://youtu.be/EOdHdioQGng

I begin to watch this video, as I have been watching other videos about the narcissist and the empath and how they attract, because I, was in love with a narcissist. Some men can easily pick up on vulnerability, perhaps in some environments, they train themselves for that to use it to their advantage for whatever supplies they lack. For example money, love or sex.

*images from the video

Victory is mine; I thank God because HE never left my side.

I am not writing this to slander anyone’s name, but being the author, I have a right to write my own story and the characters involved, well just happened to be in my story.

Eduard, my ex, showed up as a surprise guest at my friend’s wedding I was attending in the Dominican Republic. Him and I had been fighting (verbally) back and forth for months prior to that about what I should be doing with my life, specifically my money.

He couldn’t accept that I left him and decided to start traveling to other places without him, and going back on my promise to marry him.

He wanted me to be with him just the way he was.

I couldn’t do that.

I wanted to see him for my friend’s wedding, but being with him would be in a totally different setting. Kinda like we are here together, but not really together. Just that bond type of let’s get together for old times sake.

During this trip, things started off well, but unfortunately, didn’t end well. He habitually thinks he can control me to allow him to cheat, but is it really cheating if we are not really together?

Did he feel used that I asked him to come and spend time with me and I didn’t return the favor? Was it a money issue that was on the table? After seven days with him, the exposure of me accepting calls from another man in his presence and then the confrontation of him fucking Kristina. I said,

This is toxic and we are hurting each other. For what? Let’s just go our separate ways. Apparently there’s a misunderstanding.

Eventually I told him…

“I believe one of the reasons this relationship did not work was because, when I met you, I gave you a special part of me that I should not have given you and that was my mind, body and my soul.”

(Fornication)

“After my husband died, I was vulnerable. I gave my body and my soul to you even though you never earned it, but I saw how you begged for me and I wanted to trust you.”

(Vulnerability)

“I felt sorry for you living in a 3rd world country, I gave you money. That was my mistake.”

(Empathy)

“I had no knowledge of what a Sanky was at that time. I was too naive to believe that a man like you could easily take advantage of me. I didn’t know it was your passion to …. manipulate me. ”

(Oblivious)

“I was just a free woman who was willing to give a chance to the man I fell in love with who told me he would make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.”

(Hopeless romantic)

“You told me you were a Sanky, (not directly,) but indirectly. You admitted to inviting women to your country to show them a “good time.” I did not want to believe it; but it was true because one of those women was ME!

I was immediately drawn into your attention to me, your culture, your desire to… manipulate me.”

(Fantasy)

I saw you as a human being with a passion to help other people. I saw you as a man who loved God. I saw you as a man who loved his family. I saw you as my husband.

(Love)

Until… you cheated on me. I had to leave you. I had to think about …. ME.

(Reality)

There is something evil deep inside that has a stronghold on you and it will not allow you to be free. The lies, the sex, the manipulation of the mind, and the facade of living two lives. You eventually begin to show the narcissistic side, and that part of you I despise.

(Release)

Detaching myself from all of that with space in my mind, he reaches out to me during the holidays just one last time to see if I’m on his mind. Yea sure, you’re on my mind and I wish you well my friend.

Time goes by with space in my mind and he reaches out to me again to ask if I forgot about him. I’m thinking to myself, ..

It was by your grand design to train me to have you always on my mind, but now your power was relinquished when you fucked, Kristiana, so now I have to move on with my life.

And what does the narcissist do? He turns everything around and tries to make my new amigo the center of his attention.

Telling me I gave another man my number and that I was talking to him in his presence, made him jealous.

(Narcissistic)

I say to him, “I am only doing the same thing you were doing and to me it’s no different!”

(Revenge)

After many attempts to make me feel guilty, I didn’t. I felt good about telling him the truth, “Yes, I gave another man my number, yes we talked on video in your presence. You know how your kind of men can be, very very persistent!”

After that confession he goes on to say “Go and be with him. I wish you well and it is better to block you to quiet the mind.”

I said, “Thank you, Papi. If you want to give up the best sex you’ve ever had, that’s going to be your problem!”

We both laughed! 😘

Time goes by with space in my mind and he reaches out to me one more time to ask…….

“Will you have sex with me one more time?”

I left him with NO REPLY!

I enjoyed the long journey, the laughs, the smiles, the traveling back and forth, learning Spanish, teaching him English, meeting new friends, seeing different parts of his culture and his country, the daily text messages and phone calls, the anticipation of going to see him again, the food he cooked for me, the beaches, the love he had to give……to me.

He had a motive, a strategic plan, maybe it was to have his baby, maybe for a visa, maybe it was just for the money or sex.

Thank God, I’m out now and Adiós to my Narcissist Ex!

I Understand

From IAH to SDQ

Trip No. 10

Dominican Republic ~ When I am there I feel free. Flying into the capital (Santo Domingo) and a two hour scenic drive to a Romantic beachfront property in Uvero Alto and then back to the capital… Lord, I’m so in love!

You don’t want me to acknowledge the pain.

You only want me to acknowledge the good again.

I understand

Now that I’ve turned my back to you, I know you’re hurting too, but what are you teaching me?

Not to be blue?

Just as you think of me daily, the consequences of your actions reminds me daily not to let you back in until you can acknowledge the pain I’m in!

What you’ve learned to accept in your culture may not be ok in mine. If you can’t live without me, then you have to confess that what you feel is true.

Which is… You can’t be without me and you don’t want to be blue!

#poetry #author #blogger #travel #romancetourism #theloveexperience #thepoetryjournal

Love with Good Intentions

Love with good intentions.

Even when you doubt that it’s true love, love them anyway.

Love with the intent that they may never love you the same way you love, but don’t take it personally.

Love is a choice and when you are faced with choosing to love someone you will know.

After you’ve loved (with or without boundaries) and you choose to leave that love,

leave knowing that your love did not fail, because you chose to love with good intentions.

Even though we fail in love,

Love never fails us.

Quél

I Forgive

There comes a time for cleansing and a time to reflect on your personal behaviors. A time to acknowledge where you were wrong or you may have experienced an interaction between you and another person and you felt they may have done the wrong thing. There is Power and Redemption in forgiveness.

I am a witness that it removes the hatred and the ill feelings of anger and perhaps one day you will be able to move forward in peace with or without their apology. I want to start from within and work my way through it. Yes, my travel experiences have been very exciting and fun, but it was not always the right thing to do and I am not sure how many people I have abused along the way. I am sorry for the abuse. I chose to open that door to love.

I wanted my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my nose to smell, my feet and my fingers to touch, and my tongue to taste the essence of true love. I was exposed to it all. I was all in. I truly loved.

My love experience had some astonishing and enlightening facts and secrets that were revealed to me. Revelations of good and bad can have its way of turning lives around and it is ok to acknowledge that revelation. His divine truth is only to be embraced and never rejected. Through acknowledgement and acceptance is when there will be a true change. Love is a state of being. It defines who you are and whose you are. When I can forgive, I can say I have accepted the full responsibility of love.

Quél

xoxo

Declare what you Desire

Paralyzed by the love we found, he likes the way I love. I’m stepping way out of my comfort zone now, Lord keep carrying me down this road. Protection means to set boundaries. Be patient and be bold. Declare what you desire! Let your intentions be known. #thepoetryjournal

I opened the door to love and I was amazed at what I could find. You would not believe my story if I told you how this all began from my very first time on this island.

But don’t think for a second it’s been all peaches and cream, from a fantasy unfolding to a reality untold. This has not been easy.

Things can be going good, but when the flames go out we find a way to ignite them again. Isn’t that what love is about? To keep finding your way in and out?

Just as you can see the clear blue skies, the trees taller than you could ever climb. The sand and shore for miles and miles. This is Faith because I never thought I could have this. Never imagined that I could deserve this. If I would have waited to depend on him, I would not be here writing this.

If you want something and you have the desire to make it happen, declare what you desire. There’s many ways to go about getting what you want, but the route I took was truly a faith walk. I had fear, but I also had love. The Lord’s love for us allowed this to happen. I have not done this on my own.

This romantic abode sits right on the shore in Uvero Alto in the Dominican Republic. It is elevated above a gift shop so when the sun rises, it’s something you don’t want to miss. It’s stocked with essentials like milk, juice, eggs, bread, cereal, coffee, fruit, and more. There is Wi-fi, even a portable wi-fi if you decide to go out on the beach, now that’s a plus.

It has two electric burners, a panini grill and a microwave. I was just in my own little heaven. It really felt like home. When I woke up in the middle of the night and I saw the view of the moon shining very bright along the ocean, I knew that God was with me. I can’t thank him enough for his protection and his grace that abounds much more. The host for this Air BnB deserves a 10 for superb service, accommodations, cleanliness and great communication throughout my entire stay!

I want to return one day to this cozy place and explore love all over again with a rendezvous face to face.

Click here for $40 and find yourself a nice get away. Step out of your comfort zone and step into love. Define love for yourself. Live, Love and Travel!

Quél

Traveling on a Budget

If money didn’t matter, would you care how much you spent on your airline tickets for leisurely travel? For some, money ain’t a thing, but if you’re traveling on a budget or you are just conscientious about how you spend your hard earned money, (like me) always watch your airline flights.

I will tell you how I saved $463 on my next flight out!

Let’s just keep this short and sweet because I know you have more important stuff to do than to read my blogs. So here goes nothing!

I’m an avid traveler to Punta Cana. I have been there more than I should probably admit to. Yet, I’m still grateful.

Something told me to visit Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic. I never fly into SDQ because the flights are usually expensive (to me) because I’m always on a budget. The flights usually range from $600 – $900. For the dates I chose to travel, these same flights are ranging from $783 – $851 round trip.

A round trip flight to Punta Cana is 1/2 this price which is why I usually fly on SW “Wanna Get Away” fares.

IF YOU HAVE REWARD MILES… USE THEM!

From IAH to SDQ I booked a one way flight using 15K AA reward miles and only paid $36!

I added trip insurance for my flights just in case. Cost for that? $28!

I use several different sources to watch airline flights such as Hopper, Skyscanner, Google Flights and Mezi. So I’m watching this return flight from SDQ to IAH because I cannot stay in the DR! Although I wish I could. This one way flight is $463 and it is fluctuating up and down by a couple of dollars. Here’s what Mezi found for me…

Something told me… Do not buy that flight!

You guys must know that I am tuned into booking my own travel because one, I am amazed at these trips I have chosen for myself and two, I am on a budget! LoL

I started looking at the round trip flight details. The route is from SDQ to MIA and to IAH. I’m thinking, I know MIA (you gotta know your airport codes) has some one way deals to IAH. Let’s look at these flights separately!

Voila! From SDQ (Santo Domingo) to MIA to IAH I paid $256!

A big savings from that one way flight for $463! It’s a big savings to me because you already know I am on a budget! LoL

$196 for SDQ to MIA

$60 for MIA to IAH

A really great deal!

There is a downside to this and if you know me I cannot leave out this part. These airline flights have some restrictions and there is a longer layover in Miami. That $463 flight had me arriving at 10:00 pm, well with these flights I will be arriving at 11:52 pm. I really do not like traveling long periods of time but if I can save over $400 on a round trip flight, well sometimes you gotta do what’s best for you. I was willing to spend that extra time to keep the savings in my pocket.

Here are the restrictions (I thought I said I was keeping this short and sweet) LoL

AA has these new bag rules it seems and the weird thing about me booking these flights is I wanted to look at how I can improve my packing process. I usually have one luggage, a duffle bag and a shoulder purse when I travel. Look at these restrictions below for this Basic Economy Fare.

1. One item that fits under the seat! That would be my duffle bag because there’s no way my luggage will fit underneath their seats.

2. No access to the overhead bins, which means if I do bring a suitcase I would have to pay a checked bag fee for two flights and that’s $50! That is not about to happen because I need to eat with that $50! Now I have to travel without a suitcase.

3. Boarding in the last group! Oh Lawd!!!! I’m used to boarding group A/B. They will assign my seat for me. I am so curious to see how this goes. I better not get bumped for this flight.

So yeah, I will need to make some adjustments to how I travel for this trip. It is my goal to pack light because I usually take too much stuff anyway. My last trip I had to give some of my clothes away. I hope whoever has them use them. LoL!

This is my short travel segment on how I saved $463 on my round trip flight to the beautiful Dominican Republic once again! This time en la capital! Zona Colonial Style!

MUAH! (I think I need a backpack) LoL

LIVE ~ LOVE ~ TRAVEL

Our Love is still Pending

Been there, done that and keep doing it again. Got the t-shirt and gave it to a friend! Lord forgive me, but I have been busy. You told me that I could have some fun, but never imagined you could bless me with this. I’m so grateful. Most honor to you Lord, I can’t do this without you.

Now mind you I am accustomed to planning at least two trips to the Dominican Republic each year because I have developed some friendships over the past three years.

When I say friendships, I am talking deeply rooted and connected friendships. People you just don’t want to live without. I know friends come and go, but this could be just for a season, who knows? I was lucky enough to go to Punta Cana twice in the month of February. Now how did I deserve all of this? I don’t know. My God is an awesome God. He Reigns!

For those who don’t really know me… Where do I began?

Trip #1 ~ February 2015 ~ Hard Rock Resort ~ Punta Cana ~ I met Eduard on a horseback riding excursion ~ Traveled with a wedding group.

Trip #2 ~ February 2015 (two weeks later) ~ Be Live Resort ~ Bayahibe

Trip #3 ~ May 2015 ~ Air BnB ~ Volato Group ~ Cap Cana

Trip #4 ~ August 2015 ~ AlSol Luxury ~ Cap Cana

Trip #5 ~ February 2016 ~ Manaya BnB ~ Bavaro

Trip #6 ~ August 2016 ~ Paradisus ~ Punta Cana ~ Mi Cumpleaños

Trip #7 ~ May 2017 ~ Los Corales / Green Village Bavaro / Cap Cana

Ok so now that you’re caught up, on my Love Experience, let me tell you what’s really on my mind.

By this time, (my 7th trip) I’m thinking… is this getting old? I could be traveling to other places. I keep returning to this secret rendezvous, risking my life with you know who. I can do better.

So what’s next? Here comes the 90-day ultimatum to take charge of my own destiny.

No more weighing the pros and cons, I just want to know if he’s the one. And if in fact in 90 days it’s not what I expect, I should just stop and walk away because this is all just a fantasy anyway.

May 24, 2017

I send a Letter to my X

In the beginning, it was a discovery process to learn that your culture has taught you to invite foreign women to your country to come visit you.

I was one of them.

I fell in love with you and accepted you for who you were. But now, I do not believe you want to let go of that opportunity for me and for that reason I’m out. I could be wrong, but I’m willing to risk my life that I am right. Holding on to the most impossible love.

I know we had some language barriers that we both have managed to overcome. He speaks and understands Spanish very well, but as for me, I can read Spanish, but I do not speak Spanish fluently. When I sent him this letter, I am pretty sure he understood when I said, I’m out. I quit. I’m done. Let’s move on without each other. Caput. Finito.

It didn’t take me 90 days to determine what I wanted. I gave it all that I could give without expecting much in return, but to have a safe and good trip. Thank God they were all that. Safe, fun, authentic, happy times.

If I can recall, he agreed to my request saying, if that’s what you want it’s your decision.

Ok great. We’re good. No problem. You know how sometimes you think you can be strong enough to leave the door open, thinking you can just be friends with your ex? Well, I did that. If I ever decide to return to his country, I can have someone to call on if I ever needed anything. I left that door open.

May ~ June 2017

I worked hard to release my new book. The Love Experience ~ I was minding my own business trying to get the job done. I wanted to release my second self published book by my birthday. This was my way of rewarding myself. I thank God for allowing me to get it done with the help of my family and friends and some private sponsors. I felt like I had won! Not only did I get the job done, I was able to go on another trip last year to Puerto Rico and had more fun. This was my way of convincing myself (and him), yeah Papi, we’re done!

By the end of July, I am feeling good and confident and free. Although there were a lot of arguing back and forth between him and I. A fiasco or two still couldn’t hold us back.

For my book release party he tried to show some support by putting up my pictures as his profile picture in WhatsApp, but didn’t touch that Facebook page though. Hmmm cute Papi, but I am still moving on. Gracias.

By August, I was booking another trip to go back to Punta Cana, but it wasn’t for him. This time it was for myself. My first Group trip to the Dominican Republic. Actually my second group trip. The first one was for a wedding. Everyone else was kinda on their own. I was looking forward to some new and exciting fun. Remember I’m moving on.

September ~ 2017

Not much had changed, we still talked everyday if he had internet or could go in the street to connect to the wi~fi.

In October, as his friend, I decided to send him a gift for his birthday. It was then, things begin to change.

November ~ December ended the year on a pleasant vibe.

January 2018 the time for me to return is very close and all of a sudden, he wants to get married in February during my Be Mine Trip. Uhhhh no, if you would’ve done this right in the beginning, we wouldn’t have to rush and get married and what’s the rush for anyway? Besides, most importantly you have not proposed! The phone rings through WhatsApp. We have a conversation about what’s going on in his brain. He had it all planned out it seems. By the end of that call, he asked me to marry him. He can’t be serious right now, but things got silent… he was waiting on my answer.

He tried everything in his power to convince me of what he wanted to do. I couldn’t see how we could pull off a wedding in less than 30 days. There’s no way.

We spent days in WhatsApp sending documents back and forth. I guess trying to prove to each other and calling each other’s bluff. He got his birth certificate, I got mine. He got his affidavit of solteria, I got mine. We faced many many obstacles on this journey and getting these papers together was one of them. I realized I had to send mine to Austin to have them authenticated and they also needed to be translated into Spanish. I discovered this entire process takes time and money if you want them expedited quickly; but with limited resources, I decided that this was not going to happen when I had planned to come for my trips in February. Not sure if he was ok with that, but he never gives up.

He says to me, “Bring the rings and I will propose in February.” Hmmmmm

What kind of ring can he buy me? Would I wear it? Would I like it? Tricky Tricky Tricky.

I went looking for something very casual, yet sentimental for us. The Trio of Rings was exactly what I chose. Something that he could afford. Who needs 5 carats anyway? This is about true love.

I have lost count on how many times I told him I wanted to give up. Traveling back and forth in the name of Love.

But for someone without much, he has a savvy way of proving his love for me.

He communicates with me daily, he meets me where and when I need him. He gives me attention, he leads me to believe I am the most important woman in his life. He is appreciative. He is funny. He is forgiving. He is supportive. He is patient. He can be very sincere at times. He can be trusted. He is my love.

“This just doesn’t seem to be ending, he keeps us alive; our love is still pending; but if he ever stops texting me we are surely to go our separate ways.

Two hearts that could never be mended. “If he ever said he loved me, trust me, he did.”

Still exploring Love in the DR🇩🇴

Authenticity

This is where the magic happens.

I took this photo walking upon Juanillo Beach and the breeze was so cool that evening I wanted to turn around and run back to my taxi, but I stayed because I love the beaches in the Dominican Republic and I know that each moment I spend there it brings me life.

Some random man photo bombed my picture!

Just me in my element. Lord, you just keep loving me, even if I feel I don’t deserve it. I want to make this right. This feels right at home for me. This is authenticity!

por el amor tan grande que nos tenenos te pido que juntemos nuestras vida en matrimonio

The Trio of Rings

Available on Amazon, this book “The Love Experience,” is my personal memoir about traveling overseas to the República Dominicana 🇩🇴

Falling in love ~ losing control and just having fun through it all. I miss that slice of paradise. This journey has not stopped me yet!

For the mysterious reasons unbeknownst to us, it was about three years ago when we were Crossing Paths, heaven placed a Teardrop of joy on our destiny giving us a Shimmering Wish for the unity of this fantasy. #theloveexperience #travel #fantasy #romance #thepoetryjournal #pandora

I found these rings and each ring has a name.

1. Crossing Paths

2. Teardrop

3. Shimmering Wish

Each one is symbolic ~ a Trio of Rings for 3 years in this relationship.

Crossing the Paths of Life ~ 6 February 2015

Cruce de vías en la vida ~ 6 de febrero 2015

Heaven’s Teardrop of joy on our destiny for year #2

Lágrima del cielo sobre nuestro destino durante dos años

Giving us a Shimmering Wish for the unity of this fantasy

Que nos da un brillante deseo por la unidad de esta fantasía

A Genuine Love like Mine Un verdadero amor como el mío

Translation: Believe it or not, I love you very much. ~

Eduard Vicente

The Trio of the rings is symbolic to me living out my fantasy!

Thank you for following me.

The Poetry Journal

Raquel Vicente

~Shalom

She’s Gotta Travel

~I travel just to see another side of myself. Who can I be outside of my country?

~ Daring

~ Independent

~ Freedom

~ Exhilarating

~ Exhalations

I have traveled to domestic destinations on someone else’s dime. Even my first time traveling internationally to the Dominican Republic, was not on my dime.

But when I got a taste of the beauty and that bliss, I could not hardly contain myself. Like what have I been missing? Attention like this? I just could not resist.

I evolved into another person it seemed. Dreaming of fantasies I had once dreamed. Connecting with someone who fell in love with me. Not knowing the consequences of giving him all of me.

Places I would not go, I went.

Things I would not do, I did.

People I would not see, I saw.

A love I would not normally love, Yes, I loved.

I travel just the way I want to. My rules, my money, my time. Just the way I want it.

And I damn sure ain’t nobody’s property.

#shesgottatravel 😝 #thepoetryjournal

Travel creates Happiness

Life has changed since I was 17!

I attended college immediately after high school. That experience of being independent from my parents was a culture shock, but it was also rewarding meeting new friends. I learned to depend on my roommates, my college sweethearts, to get me through my independence, but most importantly I had to learn to depend on myself.

I had to hold myself accountable for getting to my 8:00 am Business class on the other side of the campus. I did not pass that class my first semester. Luckily, I had some great friends who chose to succeed in college and I wanted to do the same.

Life changed after I finished my second year of college. My father passed away right before the summer I was scheduled to return. I couldn’t go back to that college. I decided I wanted to start working. I remember my mother and our cousin Robin helped me get my first apartment. It was so cute. I had thrift furniture. I can remember it being so economical and simple. It was mine! It was my responsibility. It was my happiness.

After waiting 14 years to marry the man I wanted to marry, I had 3 gorgeous sons. Blessed to be with the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with; I was happy. The Lord loved me enough to allow that matrimony. Thank you, Lord.

Life changed after Marcel passed away. I miss him, but I am still here trying to create my own happiness.

I begin to travel overseas and I met some new friends. Traveling makes me happy.

As my life continues to change, sometimes I stop and try to wait for someone to bring me happiness, but why wait for that when I can create my own happiness.

My time is now.

Embrace for the Downfall

In the beginning, it was a discovery process; to learn about his culture and how he treats foreign women. I was one of them. I couldn’t understand his aggressive attention he had for me.

I released my expectations and stood on the other side of my guarded walls. We only wanted to enjoy each other’s company. What I wanted with him wasn’t realistic at all. Who can you trust in another country? But I wanted him.

He was the reason I exhaled 💋

My paradise when I was overwhelmed

My hope for another escape 🏖

My fire 🔥

My alone time.

He was my space ❤️

Watching, observing and talking to him daily, I became attached to his behaviors. Being so attached to him had me wanting one more escapade with him. Torn between tied down without an escape from him; and wanting that fairytale of a wedding with him, but knowing darn well I could be miserable with him. It’s such a big risk.

What am I willing to do to risk it all? Ignore the signs, and embrace for the downfall? Not at all. When I try to end it, now he wants to make the call. “Compra los dos anillos y manda arreglar los papeles de la boda. Y nos casamos. “ (Buy the rings, arrange the wedding papers and we can get married.”)

Uh… No. I don’t want to buy the rings, all I want is you.

My desire for him may just be my downfall.