Ruthie and I had been plotting a Mom/Daughter adventure ever since our shared journey on the Camino in Spain a few years ago. That 15-day backpacking trek across the northern part of the country (about a third of the entire route) was an incredible turning point in our relationship. Ruthie’s teen years were challenging and I admittedly did not have the gift of calm patience and fortitude that might have de-escalated turbulence. But we got through it and coming out the other side Ruthie suggested the trip – I jumped on it – and the rest is history that has led to a wonderful, deep friendship that I feel incredibly blessed to have and nurture. Enter the “Let’s do another trip together” and plans to go somewhere not too far, not too expensive, warm and relaxing. She in Miami, I in Carlsbad California…where could we go that actually had equal or better weather and just hang together? After considering places in Mexico, Central and South America, we settled on Belize. Warm waters, scuba for Ruthie, snorkeling for us both. Nice beaches. Not too touristy. Somewhere that would be relatively safe for two crazy women to go alone. Research on Belize City and environs did not bode well on the safety scale, but the cayes (islands) a hopper away did. Ambergris Caye and the resort we chose in the northern part of the island sounded right…not too big, a bike ride or quick ferry ride to the main town (San Pedro), private beach with bikes, kayaks, paddleboards available, a couple of pools, a restaurant if we got lazy and chose not to cook. Done.
Let the fun begin. Ruthie took a nonstop flight from Miami to Belize City. No problem. I flew to Houston to transfer from there to Belize City to catch up with Ruthie a few hours behind her. Enter the arctic blast in Texas, plowing Houston and surrounding cities into icy pandemonium. We were boarded, settled in our seats, ready to take off for Belize. Some flights cancelled but many still taking off. Until the airport ran out of de-icing fluid. Really? REALLY? I had no words to describe the utter disbelief I felt – and plentiful curse words I dared not utter. Not that the conditions outside were impossible to fly in, not that the plane we were on had malfunctioned. The airport could not prepare the plane to FLY. The captain apologized profusely (it didn’t help), I deplaned with the rest of the aghast and confused vacationers, and I lost it. Completely. Tears flowed. Are you KIDDING me?
Ruthie had already landed in Belize City and was waiting for me to arrive – working at the airport – so we could fly together to the island. I wasn’t worried about her safety – she is a seasoned world traveler. I wasn’t worried about contacting her…we immediately were on the phone making decisions together, and she was the cool-headed one! I was just so sad. Living on two coasts now, our time together has been limited to holiday and sometimes quick trips back and forth tagged onto business trips. This was going to be OUR TIME together – and only five days. I felt cheated.
We decided she would go on to the resort and I would get a new flight sorted out and be in touch. I will spare all the gory details but after long lines for re-booking, cab lines in the freezing weather, my savior husband booking me into a wonderful hotel for the two nights until my new flight would happen. The arctic freeze ended and Houston is back to near normal. I just had very bad timing. My sweet girl has gotten some beach time and work time, and is on a scuba trip to the famous Blue Hole. I spent a day working – peppered with a workout and a massage (OK OK I don’t need sympathy at this point), visited with a local member of our staff who lives in Houston (she was kind to take me to the airport) – and am now on my way. Ruthie and I agreed that we will make the best of the couple of days left on the caye and plot our next trip together.
My lesson here: Shit happens. The cool head of my husband AND my sagely daughter saved me from complete meltdown and this is something I have to work on for my own sanity. I love to travel and I have been in unfortunate-turn-of-events before. I should know better than to fall apart when keeping calm is the very best approach.
In the end we did have a couple of very relaxing days together. We snorkled and swam with beautiful fish, walked the serene beach, sunned a bit, and caught up with each other. I am so blessed to have a daughter who is also a dear friend and awesome travel buddy.
Living La Vida Loca 