Travel Times

*Leslie and I agree that our favorite memories of Krista come from the trips we take together. However, we did not agree on which stories to tell or how to tell them. In an effort to reach a compromise we have decided that I will write the reflection and Leslie will edit the content to eliminate any illegal, embarrassing or otherwise potentially offensive material.

 Travelling can be stressful, but it didn’t take long to realize that we could go any place at any time with Krista and her easy-going disposition. Our first time traveling together was to Jamaica a couple of years ago. One might assume that all-inclusive booze and the interesting culture of the Rastafarian people would make for an enriching experience. That would be a safe assumption.

 

The Jamaican trip really started to gather momentum as we exited the shuttle at the hotel. Oddly, the man wandering the street in front of our hotel xxxx x xxxx xxxxxxx. Xxx xxxx xxxx x xxxx xx xxxxx xx xxxx xxx  xx!!! Xx x x  xx  xxxxx x x xxx xxxxxx xxxx xx xxx xxx x weird that he already knew my name, right? Not to be outdone by his fellow countryman, we soon met a delightful local in a canoe. He was selling the traditional bracelets and beads, but xxxx x x x xxxxx x x x xx xxx  xx xx xxx x xx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xx xxx xx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxxx xx xxx xxx x xx xxx but it was totally worth it. Anyway,  xxxxxxx xx x xx xxxxxx xxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xx x xxxxxx xx xxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx xxx x x xx xx xxxxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx x xxx xxx xxxxxx. I’m not really sure what happened to the hotel furniture to this day.

Mexico has also been a great destination for us. The first time was a birthday trip for Krista and we found ourselves in Acapulco.

Our guide, Cesar, set us up with many fun things to do. He was also very helpful xxx x xxxxx xx xxx xxx xx xxx xxxx xx x xxxxxx xxx xx x xxx x xxx xx but it’s not like he was working for free. Sometimes you just have to have faith that everything will be fine, but I think we were all a little nervous when Cesar drove us out to the middle of nowhere for some kind of show. As it turned out, we were being brought to a small village of locals and their version of a community center. Oh sure, they may not have had walls or air conditioning, but they did have xxx  xxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxx xx xxx. Xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxx! I could tell with most of them, but I’d swear that the one in red was an actual woman.

Our latest Mexican vacation took us to Puerto Vallarta. It was really a great trip with wonderful friends, good food, snorkeling and sight seeing. Our accommodations were fantastic and the nightlife as fun as one would expect. But I think my most vivid memory of Krista during this trip was our interaction with another local whom we affectionately named Tiny Tim. T2, as he is also now know, has a pretty good feel for all the movement in the city and he was very helpful as a guide. Krista and I waited for him at a local watering hole one day and he xxxx x xx xxxxx xx xx xx xxxxx xxx xx x xxx xxxxxx xx xxxxx xxx xx xxxxx xx x xxxxx  xxx xx xx xxxxxx x xx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxx. Seriously. I didn’t know x xx xxx xxx xxxxxx xx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx x xxxx xx xx xxxx xx xxx x but I think he ended up doing pretty well with that deal. I’d swear I saw him dance a little.

                                 (photo approximation)

A close second that must be mentioned is Krista’s role as official rally-

whistle holder, but understand that Krista is an equal opportunity rally girl,

so xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxx! I think I could actually make some money if I sold those pictures.

Markets for everything, right? Poor donkey.

 

Of course there were several smaller, weekend trips around Texas that

were just as much fun. Even when we’re close to home we always seem

to find something unusual to get into. A weekend at the bay has the

potential to unleash xxxxx x xx xxxxx xx x x xxxxxx xxx. xxx xxxx on a

jellyfish sting? Ok, if you say so.

By this time next year, we will have stamped our passports in at least two

more countries and collected many more great memories. While these

experiences are special because of their location and the absence of daily-

life stresses, it should be said that the best times we have with Krista are

actually of the “ordinary” variety. Of course that’s only if your definition

of “ordinary” is being blessed with the friendship of a person who is quick

to support and slow to judge. Someone who is always there when you need

her. In short, every single day with Krista is a better day than it would be

without her and the same can’t be said about very many people.

Happy birthday, Krista! We love you.

Mike and Leslie