I couldn't mention it in this photoblog because my bestfriend reads this and I didn't want to ruin the surprise. She didn't know I was coming. Now I'm back in New York and I have a lot of pictures from the trip. I documented the entire experience through pictures and journal entries. I'll post one a day for the rest of this week.
It was the longest road trip I ever took in my entire life...
*****
September 23rd, 2006 - Day 1
At 12:00 P.M. Saturday morning, Eric gave me a final goodbye kiss before heading off to work. "Stay safe", He whispered "Be careful...it's a long drive, don't push yourself. I know you want to drive 22 hours straight into Florida, but if you need to stop. Please stop. I'm going to miss you so much..."
He held me against him so tightly as though he would never see me again, he touched my face with both hands and gave me a final kiss. I assured him I would return alive and that we would see eachother again in a week. He still appeared worried and didn't want to let go of my hand. I wished he could come with me...
At 12:45 My friend Heather pulled up the driveway. I threw all my luggage into the trunk and jumped into the car. We picked up her cousin, Michael and we hit the road by 1:15.
(picture taken by Michael)
I was filled with excitement, sitting indianstyle in the backseat with the essentials resting on my lap.
Sunglasses, Energy drink and a cellphone to keep in touch with my family and Eric.
Yes..that's right...I have a cellphone now. I actually caved in and purchased one a few days before this trip. After 12 years of hating Cellphones with a passion, I realized I couldn't go a week without having contact with Eric. It was time to join the rest of civilization and buy one. Stranger things HAVE happened....
After hours of sitting in the car with the windows open, listening to music, talking and laughing..landmarks seemed to whizz by in blur. Signs, lights, cars... The steady sway of the car caused me to drift off into sleep a few times.
I also watched the landscape change..
Eventually the sunset...
(photo taken by Michael)
(photo taken by Michael)
We hit North Carolina...the Greeting sign wasn't too impressive
South Carolina on the other hand...
We made a stop at 2:30 A.M. at South of the Border
It was empty...but the lights were still flashing. It looked like an abandoned amusement park with huge 10 foot statues of Mexicans towering overhead
We wandered around. Michael couldn't figure out if this shop was open or closed...
Eventually at 3:30 A.M., we realized we couldn't make it the whole way. We hadn't even hit Georgia yet... but Michael was swerving off the road and Heather was nodding off. I could barely keep my eyes open. We stopped at a Motel 8 on the side of the road. The old woman behind the reception desk had a drawling southern accent and moved as slow as a snail. Eventually we received a key for a motel room...
The bed was so comfortable... after Michael finished playing his Bloody Mary games in the dark in a hotel room filled with Mirrors, we all crashed.
September 24th, 2006 - Day 2
We woke up just in time to check out...
We threw our luggage back into the car and hit the road again at 10 A.M.
Finally we reached the promised land...
The weather was warm...the palm trees swayed in the slight breeze. I felt anticipation welling up in my stomach because I knew I would be seeing my bestfriend soon. We had reached our destination and her house was right around the corner.
When we arrived, she was still sleeping. We entered her bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed in the dark room and gently woke her up. She didn't register it was me until she turned on the lights.
It was so amazing to see her again and every minute of that long road trip was worth it. To see her surprised smile, hug her and be reunited with my bestfriend again after 6 years!
Once she got over the shock, we all went out for dinner. My bestfriend, her cousins, Heather, and Michael.
Afterwards we all drank Jagerbombs, laughed and talked until the early morning hours. It felt like a dream. I had to keep pinching myself to confirm that it was real. I really did make it to Florida and I really am seeing my bestfriend again.
Tomorrow we're heading to Orlando to go to Pleasure Island and Disney world...
To be continued....
