Trip Report Continued...
Our anniversary dinner was incredible and magical...The view right on the water, the beautiful sunset, the amazing food, that special bottle of wine, the staff at Spa Retreat surrounding us and treating us so special. I was utterly happy and in awe of all of it.
Markus told me about about his fears that I would be disappointed. He told me how he had tried to get “Night of 100 Candles” reservations but they were booked out for that date. I thought it was so sweet that he had actually tried to make that happen, and then contacted Guirigay desperate for advice... then spent days calling all these restaurants in Negril.... That really touched me...But he didn't have to worry about any of that...
I know it's easy to get caught up in the stress of trying to make the day absolutely “perfect” but I don't need tons of flowers, candles or fancy champagne glasses. I just need him.
We didn't exchange anniversary gifts, we can't afford any of that. I'm not into that material stuff anyway. You can't take any of that with you when you pass on, it's all about the experiences you have in life that count. This TRIP was our anniversary gift to each other, it was only Day 2 and so far it had already surpassed all of my expectations.
I was light headed from the bottle of delicious wine (thank you so much Guirigay & Sweetiepie) and full from all the food consumed. It was 8 PM when dinner was finished. My eyes were beginning to droop and I could have easily retired to bed with Markus.
But I told Booger we'd be at his 4/20 party and I was looking forward to it.
Spa Retreat called in for a Taxi and it took about 15 minutes before it arrived because the driver was across town.
Our driver was named “Gregory Peck” which I found really interesting...
“Where to?” Gregory asked.
I looked over at Markus, He was wearing Long heavy pants and a long sleeve button-up dress shirt. He was soaked in sweat at this point. Not a good outfit for this Caribbean weather. “First stop is Villa Sur Mer – we really need to change, then we're heading to a party Eddie's DeBar” I told him.
“What time did the party start?”, Markus asked as we sped down the dark West end road.
“um..I think 4:20?”
“It's almost 8:20 now, do you think anyone will still be there?”, Markus asked
“I hope so...”
Note: We would somehow manage to make it to every boardie event that week, we were LATE to about 90% of them. But hey...we eventually got there!
Gregory Peck was waiting for us at the front of Villa Sur Mer when we emerged in more appropriate tropical attire.
As we were driving towards, Eddie DeBar, I fully realized we might be meeting a lot of boardies for the very first time tonight. I'm going to be honest, I was suddenly kind of nervous about it.
You see, Unlike Markus, I'm actually really shy. It takes some time for me to open up after I first meet someone. You may have noticed that I don't even post pictures of myself in my trip reports.
Once I'm comfortable with someone and feel relaxed, I become more a lot more outgoing but it's not an overnight thing with me. It was really hard for me after my best friend, Michelle died in February. She and I used to be attached to the hip and we always went out together. It was too painful to hang out with our friends without her now. It was just a reminder of this huge loss in my life. So I started declining all invites...and I retreated from all social activities for over 2 months.
Going to this party tonight was actually a big step for me.
I'm sharing this so those that met me in April have an understanding of why I may have seemed quiet/reserved at times or not as outgoing as Markus. Believe me though, I enjoyed your company and I was so overjoyed to meet all of you. I just have some grief that I'm still working through and I know it's going to take some time.
But this trip was so healing and all of you helped me in ways that you don't even know... It got me back on my feet. I needed this trip (and all of you turtles) to help me learn to laugh again and remind me of how beautiful life truly is...
Okay, sorry..enough of that, on to Booger's party...
So the taxi rumbled up the rocky path into the driveway of Eddie's DeBar. I saw a fire pit flickering in the center, but no one was around it...
“Oh man, they're all gone...” I said “We're too late... party is over...”
Markus pointed to the bar area. “No I see Rob and Lisa over there!”
He was right, I also saw a group around them but their backs were too us. I could make out a slim woman with long dark hair standing next to a gentleman, a blond woman too...everyone else was in the shadows.
“When do you want me to pick you up?”, Gregory asked.
“I don't know..”I said feeling kind of nervous “I guess in like 45 minutes, we'll just have a quick drink and say Hi...”
We walked past the fire towards the group, holding hands. Markus squeezed mine and smiled at me. “Relax...”, He laughed. “it's going to be fun!”
Everyone was involved in a noisy conversation and joking around when we approached them.
“Hey everyone...” I said shyly
The first to turn around was Patty Sather. My initial impression, was WOW! She's so beautiful! (She really does look like Sandra Bullock!) Her eyes lit up, and this huge smile spread across her face. “OH MY GOSH!!” she squealed and suddenly she was hugging me so tightly. “DAISY!!”
All my fears dissolved and I started laughing, I hugged her tightly back“PATTY!!”
Suddenly another smiling face emerged, the biggest sweetest smile I'd ever seen and the most kind eyes. I knew immediately that it was Beachgirl66 She also gave me a big warm hug . I felt right at home.. as though I had known them my entire life.
There was a lot of “I can't believe we're here!!” and “So good to finally meet you!!” and “OmigoshOmigosh!!” We were like a bunch of school girls, I was so happy. I couldn't believe I was meeting them for the first time. It really felt more like a reunion than a first encounter.
I saw Rob and gave him a hug. Then Lisa emerged and joked “What am I chopped liver? Geez... come here” (love her!) She hugged me too
Once the dust settled and we all regained our breaths, I asked “Wait, Where's booger?”
“You missed him by like 5 minutes!” Patty said “he just left!”
Seriously Boogs?? What's up with that?. Lol J/k
“Brasi is over there though, let me grab him”, Patty said. I turned and saw Brasi in a deep conversation with another patron at the other side of the bar in the shadows. I could barely make him out.
I turned back around and met Becca
She smiled. It was so great to meet her, I had been looking forward to it after reading her posts and hearing her story. I knew this was a special trip for her.
Suddenly Brasi was beside me and we hugged eachother. It was amazing to meet him too! He was just as warm and kind as I knew he would be. He apologized for having to go because his ride was there, but told me he was looking forward to talking more at the bellyflop.
Meanwhile, Markus was already at the center of the table in-between Rob and Lisa cracking jokes and causing the table to burst into laughter.
“There he goes...”, I said to Patty.
Babelew was there too, she and Markus got in some animated conversation about something. They looked like they were in a debate, but then they were hugging and laughing.
Patty introduced me to her husband, and then she introduced me to Joe Trinidad and Manda. They were both really quiet that night, but I think it was due to all the drinks they had consumed. Joe was all smiles! Manda was wearing a winter coat and a scarf which I thought was a little odd, but I didn't say anything.
Beachgirl and Joe Trinidad
Markus & Manda
Me and Manda
Thanks Daisy, it's a lovely one.
Originally Posted by marley9808
