The Good, The Exciting, and the Embarassing

Hola friendly readers, it’s been awhile since my last post. Why? I was getting a little extra vitamin D down in Cuba with my man. Arrive home and the next day I'm off to the cold dustiness of Edmonton for work. While there, I met up with a cousin I had not seen in 8 years! When I returned from that, it was to Victoria for another work trip, and then I got the pleasure of seeing my step father for some amazing baked oysters.  

Now I can rest... So,

I thought I would let you know what I experienced down south, insert sexual innuendo here. Let’s call this segment: The good, the exciting and the embarrassing.

We stayed in Varadero, the touristy area of Cuba. Unreal crystal blue waters, sands made mostly of crushed shells and stunning crashing waves! The first thing Kevin and I wanted to do was go swimming, naturally. So off we went! Kevin, being 6’2, and I, being 5’1, had a slight advantage over me in these waters. 

I remember looking up at one point and realizing that Kevin was a good 20 feet ahead of me and before I knew it, a wave got the best of me. By the time I was able to get myself out from the brown and white crash of the wave, the next had come and down I went again. I did eventually feel Kevin’s wonderful hand rescue me and pull me out. That was when I was met with his roar of laughter. He had pulled out a sea monster. My face, body, hair, everything covered in sand and shells. I hope you’re picturing it. That was when I learned the lesson of the power of natural waves.  Mother Nature 1, Me 0.  It was fun and exhilarating, but it was time to get the entire cast of The Little Mermaid out of my hooha.  Ahhh, much better!

I recognized more than ever on this trip, how lucky I am to have Kevin around. Solely for his height! Ha, I joke, I do also kind of like him a bit too. One of our trips was on a Katamaran which included some snorkeling and a visit to swim with dolphins. I loved these dolphins, such character and so cuddly! A group of 15 of us jumped into their pool and stood in a line on a raised block. If Kevin had not been with me, I would have missed out on this opportunity. The water was well above my head, so I clung onto him, and got to thoroughly enjoy that experience! Thanks Kevin!! See you later Flipper!

Now, the snorkeling. This was an eye opener for me. Lesson 1, put on flippers last. I tripped and jabbed so many people including myself. Ok, take them off and put them on when I’m sitting at the ladder. Ok, check. Lesson 2, when wearing flippers, don’t jump flat footed into the water. Face/belly flop will follow. Ok, check. That hurt. Lesson 3. If you’ve never snorkeled before, it’s probably best that you get the run down first! The day was windy, and cloudy, and 20 minutes later we had a tropical storm, so, I’m sure you can envision that the water was a bit choppy. Don’t worry, I had a floaty helping me! The current was pushing me away, and I couldn’t seem to figure out how to swim with those flippers. I put my face in the water and instinctively went to blow bubbles out my nose. Oh my god I can’t breathe!!! Yes, I forgot about the snorkel that was in my mouth! My snorkeling experience lasted about 2-3 minutes, embarrassing! We will try this again! 

Cuba was wonderful! It was a trip much needed before my busy summer comes. Relaxing on the beach with my man, and lots of heat. The vitamin D has sunk in and I’m feeling like I can take on the world again.

What did I learn on this trip? 

Number 1, I am so very lucky to have K-Dawg in my life. He is so patient, so considerate and very easy on the eyes. 

Number 2, I need to do yoga, even when on the go!

Number 3, I need to be able to ask for help/better direction when I need it.

Number 4, I will appreciate what I have in my life more often.

And number 5, Canadian food is amazing, we are blessed to have such variety. 

Inner tip of the day: Always surround yourself with good food, good friends and always keep your mind free, no matter where you are in the world.