Once I got back to New York and had started to make plans to move back to California for good, my friend Debbie surprised me and invited me to Florida with her family for a week in the sun. This sounded perfect as I would be able to hang out, relax and enjoy a little bit of sunshine.
So I got a ticket and met her a few days after she and her parents flew down, and planned to be there for 5 days. It ended up being such a fun and relaxing getaway as we stayed in a timeshare condo her family has had for 30 years…and some of her family and friends also have condos there at the same time…so it was a fun group while we were there.
Getting there was part of the fun. I had to stop in Miami for a layover and when I boarded my next puddle jump flight, the attendants were trying to hurry us on the plane and no one knew why. Ends up they were trying to get an early push back and take off as President Obama was set to land in Miami in a few minutes and if we didn’t take off…we would have to wait an extra 30 minutes for him to land and clear the runway. As luck had it…we started to taxi out and missed the window and had to wait the extra 30 minutes…but I did see Air Force One land right outside my window and got some photos of the plane. I didn’t get to see Obama himself as he exited his plane from the other side. I started to think that Obama was stalking me…as the next day he landed at the Fort Myers airport…so he was at two of my airports in two days, but unfortunately he never stopped by our condo for a drink. Maybe next time!
The time on Sanibel island was spent mostly at the pool, as it was around 93 degrees every day. I had a relaxing and fun time with mama and papa Onken and Debbie. Thanks again for such a wonderful week. Lots of cooking at the condo, relaxing in the sun and good times with fun people. A HUGE thank you to the Onkens for inviting me, treating me to so much. I greatly appreciate (and look forward to hosting you when you come to visit me in California one day)
Now it’s time to return to New York for the weekend and Halloween. While I was in Japan this summer, I got a traditional kimono and obi (the big bow that ties in the back) and plan to be a Japanese Geisha…and it ended up turning out great. But….I don’t think I will ever use face paint like this again, as it was a little too much of a pain throughout the night. Milena and I had too much fun getting ready for Halloween. I entrusted Milena to figure out how to tie my obi, since she has also recently been to Japan and had tried one on. I figured she would be the best dresser for me (and I was right). One trial run through and then she tied a beautiful obi and we were out for the night downtown and lucky for us, it was a really warm Halloween and the rain had stopped making it much easier to be out.
One more stop on my round my world trip as I leave for Barbados in two days!