I just got back from my brother's wedding in Jamaica. What a strange trip. I definitely learned some new lessons on this one.
1) Do NOT travel with children under 3
2) Do NOT stay at resorts in remote places and no fridge in the room
3) Always make sure you have independent transportation (car, bike, motorcycle, etc.)
Miami / Boca
We flew out to Miami last Saturday. The flights from Seattle to Dallas and Dallas to Miami were pretty tough with the kids. Max was very wiggly and didn't want to sit still. Finally got picked up by Gina at the airport. The next day, Justin and I watched our 4 kids while the girls went to some parties and a music festival. After they got back, Justin and I went to Miami for Khasha's bachelor party. We had dinner at Perl and partied on Nikki Beach all night. It was a great time. We drove home at 10:00 am with no sleep and once again watched the kids and played in the pool most of the day while the girls were gone. Took a nap in the afternoon and grilled up some BBQ for dinner in the late afternoon. It was a good feeling. The kids were all running around and entertaining each other in Justin's big house. Slept like a champ that night and took off to Jamaica the next day.
I had a lot of time to chat with Justin on this trip. He's matured a lot and we got pretty deep.
Montego / Negril
Our arrival in Jamaica got off to a rocky start. I got swindled by a porter who grabbed my bags while I was wrestling with the kids' stroller and moved our stuff 30 yards and asked for a tip. Then I got yelled at by a customs agent for tipping the porter. I guess you're not supposed to. I wonder why the porter didn't get yelled at for asking for tip? Strange set up. They we get shuttle to our car rental place since it's not actually at the airport. They didn't have the car seats we had requested. I should mention that I'm very proud of Jen for not freaking out and riding in the car without car seats.
When we get to our resort/hotel I once again get hijacked by a porter while talking to the lady at the front desk. I'm fiercely independent (almost to a fault) and get extremely irritated when folks open doors for me or carry me bags or offer any other services which I really don't want/need. But to have it forced on me agitates exponentially. Of course I didn't want to come off as a cheap-skate so I just let the poor bastard roll our luggage up to the room.
The next couple of days were spent swimming in the pool or ocean with the kids and going to rehearsal dinners, family functions, etc. All this was done in between and while negotiating bouts of vomiting and diarrhea by Max.
I should mention another lesson learned/observation here. Our first few days in Miami/Montego Max was his usual hyper healthy self. We was either sprinting down the airport isles, fearlessly diving into pools despite lack of floatation devices or ability to swim, or practicing his WWF moves on mommy and daddy while sitting in airplanes. All this required me to be in 24/7 alert mode. I was constantly running, jumping, lifting and didn't have a moment's peace. I was proud of his vigor but kept complaining about the fact that I could not relax for one single moment. Around day 5 Max got sick and severely dehydrated. He would spend the day lying in bed with half glazed look on his face. It tore me apart. I felt terrible for whining and complaining about his hyperness and wished for it to come back as soon as possible. I learned a lesson. Some of life's challenges are unrecognized blessings.
I got to meet Rachel's family and really liked them. They seem genuine, passionate, and direct. There is no guile or posturing in them and they love Khasha.
The Big Day
The wedding was beautiful. Like a true warrior Max resurrected himself long enough to attend the wedding and do his part as ring bearer (he was back to sick the next day). He was dressed in white pants, blue shirt, and black sandals like all the other grooms men. Riley looked like a dream in her flower-girl and floral tiara. The photos were during the mid-day sun and holding and wrestling with Max got us both hot and sweaty. The kids were all over the place during the wedding. Riley stepped on Rachel's head dress and yanked her head back. Max cried towards the end and was all over the place the rest of the time. Everyone thought it was cute but I was sweating it a bit. The dinner and reception was a lot of fun. Max fell asleep in a gym bag.
Last Day
We decided to go to Negril the next day but Jen got scared when she heard news of violence around the Island. So we went to the Ritz but Max pooped all over himself and me so we went back to the hotel to clean up and let him get some rest. I took off with a group of the guys and went to Negril. We had a fun adventure getting there and jumped off the famous Rick's Cliff. We also played some volleyball at Alfred's beach bar. It was a good day. I got an earful from Jen when I got back for leaving her in the room with the kids all day.
2 more lessons learned:
1) I LOVE my home
2) My job is a peaceful refuge.
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