where trouble melts like a lemon drop
Everytime I go through the photos of Chris and Gayle's wedding I'm struck by two things: their big love and their big group of loving A-type friends. To say the least, my trip to Maui was fanfuckingtastic and needed. Weddings are usually slightly bittersweet (and too short), at least that's how I feel as I get older and more nostalgic. Like when oh when will I be the girl in white (common ladies, admit it, you think this too). Or damn, I've had too many shooters. Or wow, that person is awesome, why can't we be friends in the same city, for more than 6 hours?
But the big advantage of this wedding wasn't only the hot and beautiful location, but the intense amount of time we all spent together. The wedding itself felt like it was all week, not just the ceremony day. Not only did I take 3 weeks off from my life, but I parachuted into my old friend Gayle's for as long. So rad. We hadn't hung out this much since 1st year university. I was also lucky enough to stay in the 'wedding house' or Hale Lele. Staying in such a large, immaculate villa with 17 other people and a constant flow of family, children and Calgarians was a total privilege. It was also like a cross between summer camp and MTV Cribs. Every day someone organised some sort of activity. Since we were right across from the beach and everyone had varying levels of sun tolerance, I could always find someone to come grow melanoma with me at least once or twice a day. I can't wait to see all of my new friends when I hit cowtown in June or when they come to Vancouver in the future. Chris, Gayle, can I poach your friends and family?
Me with the newlyweds.
Both before and after the wedding week, I travelled solo, with friends, new and old. This marked my 4th big journey with the Jeetsinator. As ever she was the most fun and faithful friend I could've had in the passenger seat. I was so sad to see her off at the airport. We're already talking about our next trip (dirty 30 in Maui, girls?).Other highlights, not photographed but etched in my brain forever:
- Sunset on Olinda road with a Swisser, a Cana-merican and Frenchman. We packed up some red wine, cheese and apples to watch the sun set over the west part of the island. The sugar cane fields of Central Maui streched before us. So did rolling cattle fields and the north/south shore. A stellar 180 degree view for sure.
- Snorkelling in Makena - both with Gayle and Tanya, Stephanie (my apologies for the disatourous brevity of our session) and Eric. Lava and corral go so well together. learning to suf with Jeets - can't wait for our Tofino trip at the end of July!
- the road beyond Hana - Kipahaulu bulls and all (see above).
- Falling 4 times - none of which due to any athletic activity, unless you count hiking to a nudie beach, rolling on my already swollen ankle in reaction to naked surfers.
- Devon's modified version of JBJ's "Bed of Roses" and right as rain version of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'. (Listen here)
- Sangria times at Hale Lele and the Rainbow's End Surf Hostel.
- The sound of crickets and geckos at night.
- Kimo's Mai Tais with the girls in Lahaina (see photo below).
- Falling in love with Jack Johnson all over again.
- Watching parts of 50 First Dates at the hostel (and becoming obssessed with aforementioned ukelele version of "Somewhere..."
I promise this is the last of the Maui blogs for a while.
posted by Miranda @ Thursday, May 31, 2007
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