The destination wedding.

La boda numero dos--in the books!! The destination wedding in the Dominican Republic.

La Republica Dominicana.

I enjoy saying it in Spanish. It's almost like saying "hakuna matata" (...what a wonderful phrase...) 

the skinny 

When my cousin and her fiance announced their engagement, everyone was excited. We liked my cousin and we liked her fiance too. Fact: it's great when two people you love decide to get married. They chose a destination wedding which was a perfect idea. Living in LA, with family in Ohio, and friends scattered everywhere in between, it made the most sense. If people are going to have to travel for a wedding, make it some place fun. (Basically...some place that's not Ohio.)

So briefly, a travel review:
- You can get away without speaking Spanish, but you might want to learn a few key phrases. I found myself intervening in multiple conversations involving my father and any DR local.
- All-inclusive is nice, especially if you want to drink. It was a mixed audience with some partying hard, some a little too hard, and a few teetotallers.
- Find someone you really trust to put sunscreen on your back. I will elaborate no more.
- Most beaches are tops optional and speedos are abundant. Be aware and be prepared.
- If your travel agent promises you that 3 hours is enough time to get to the airport and through customs, etc. to your flight, add an hour to that estimate. Just trust me on this one.

family (we're all crazy)

I'm lucky to have one of those families where everyone gets along despite any number of differences in lifestyle, philosophy or worldview. Always great to see my family. I also made the decision on this trip to adopt my cousin's fiance's family--they're all great people. My favorite new uncle is the man who introduced himself as "Creepy Uncle Roberto*." He ended up not being creepy, but what an intro at the pool bar. Also present were my adopted aunt and uncle--my late aunt's sister who has no blood relation to the family. It was wonderful to see them again. They're proof that no blood is needed to be family. 

Dance time w/the new fam!

other
Not much more to say. Punta Cana is pretty good for an island/resort getaway, if you're into that. We lucked out with weather, only one day of rain. If the beach is your thing, it's a short walk from your hotel room. If you want to lounge in the pool all day, there's a spacious pool complete with sun decks, etc. If you want to get out and experience the island, there are any number of excursions to choose from. If you just want to enjoy the all-inclusive part of all-inclusive, the bars are abundant. Depending on your resort, you may have some workout options too. I took a spinning class--it was just me and the instructor who spoke no English. Thankfully with my limited Spanish and her limited English, we made it work. The male yoga instructor spoke a bit more English but our conversations were a mix of English and Spanish. We talked about American football (he's a Giants fan, but likes the Steelers too) and he told me my Spanish accent was "muy bonita" or "very pretty"--but that I sound different in English. And his face when he said it...apparently I'm sexy when I speak Spanish but not so sexy when I speak English. Oh well. Can't win every crowd.

summer summary

Halfway through wedding season and oh-so-happy!! Just wrapped a dress fitting for the August event; after that, heading into the home stretch! Looking forward to some breathing time between August and September weddings. I have a million ideas bouncing around in my brain and every time I sit to write them out, they get stuck!--It's like I'm too overwhelmed or I don't know where to start, so they stay put and continue bouncing off the walls of my cranium. This recent quote I found from F. Scott Fitzgerald sums it up perfectly: "An idea ran back and forward in his head like a blind man, knocking over the solid furniture." The ideas are flying around, knocking everything over. I lay in bed at night trying to sort it out; I drive in a trance, chasing different storylines--so distracted that earlier this week, I drove through a red light on my way to work. Workouts are my saving grace because for one hour in time, I have to focus on not dying. Thank goodness I've got some new projects at work because it's too easy to glance out the window and start thinking of how to word a witty phrase. 

So yes. So happy for a break. Would love to run away to a cabin in the woods.


*names changed to protect the innocent