Friends, Travel And Other Demons

I had a really nice day today mostly because I got to spend it with D. I told him that he has to come visit my blog. I know most guys aren’t into nail polish or reading about nail polish, but he should do it because he’s my friend, right?! We haven’t been hanging out too much lately since he got his new job so it was nice to just veg together and catch up. D. and I go wayyyyyyy back to August 1997; that was our first day of college and we met in French class. How fitting! We ended up being super close especially after we were both studying in France for a year at the same time. To this day, I still tell him that he just copied me. Eventually we ended up working together at Air France which allowed us to go gallivanting around the world for a few years. Over sushi, I asked him what he thought was our craziest travel adventure and he mentioned two:

1) Running to catch a train in Milan. We ran as fast as we could, threw our bags onto the train and did a flying leap onto a moving train. I don’t know how we did it, but we did. I also got my wallet stolen on that trip because D. walked off and left me alone in the compartment while I slept. Ok, it wasn’t really his fault, but I like to bust his balls about it.

2) The time I had tickets to go to Amsterdam and we were going to go for 3 days until we arrived at the airport and we were told the flight was cancelled because the aircraft had been hit by lightning. That should have been our clue to go home and just relax before having to go back to work. So what did we do instead? We took the red-eye to New York without hotel reservations or any idea about what we were going to do. We ended up in some kind of drug house hotel with Russian immigrants and then I walked into a homicide scene on the street. Yeah…I think I will talk about this one.

At our company Christmas party, I had won a pair of tickets on KLM so we made plans to take a long weekend and crash at a friend’s place in Amsterdam. I was super excited about this trip until we got to the KLM counter and we were told that the flight had been cancelled due to the incoming aircraft being struck by lightning. Completely disappointed, we headed over to our counter to see if we could re-issue our tickets for a different destination. Because we were airline employees, we could buy super cheap stand-by tickets for any airline we had an agreement with. So we decided to buy some tickets on the next Delta flight to NYC. The next available flight was unfortunately the red eye. I won’t talk of that flight because it was miserable. We got to NYC around 5 am and we had to now figure out where we were going to stay. To say that we had a limited budget is an understantement. We had planned to crash with a friend so we hadn’t truly thought about the cost of lodging…oh silly, Californians who know nothing about New York.  The only thing that was in our budget was on the corner of Crack Whore and Pimp Alley. Oh well. We weren’t going to be in the hotel much, right? Well, we ended up in some shit hole with exposed pipes and bunk bends. Nice. It was so gross that I was afraid to take my shoes off at all. We did make a point of staying out all day and visiting EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, it was December and it was freezing. I soon started to complain about the cold and drove D. up the wall.  It’s a gift I have. D. is actually one of the most patient people I have ever met in my life, but I somehow manage to exasperate him. That night we decided to catch a movie late at night so by the time we got out, it was way past midnight and we had to get back to our hotel. We decided to take the subway and we got a little lost….great. I got irritated with D. and I started walking ahead annoyed that we couldn’t find our street. Well, we finally got on the right street and then I raced ahead because I was tired and irritable. I started to hear screaming and running but I wasn’t really in the mood. All of a sudden, a bunch of police cars converged on the corner and I saw someone lying on the floor face down. Did I just walk into a murder scene? I was so shocked that I just kept on walking…right past the body and into a liquor store. I don’t know what I was thinking but I yelled at some man to let me through to buy a Coke. D. was behind me, probably in utter shock, and we finally got to our hotel and passed out. We spent a total of 3 days in NYC with plenty of other silly things happening, but these were the main highlights. How do you like NYC?

Today we ended up watching a French movie called Intouchables. It was amazing, and I highly recommend it if it’s playing anywhere near you.

Afterwards, we went to my favorite sushi place and really pigged out. No, you don’t understand. WE ATE LIKE PIGS. Don’t believe me? Here we go…

This is  my favorite: octopus. I only have a couple of pieces because it tastes so much better if you’re left wanting more!

Yes, two people ate all of this. We have a term for this: sushicoma.

I wrote this because it was a really nice day and also to just share some of the weird things that we both got to experience when we were still carefree and in our early 20’s. I spent a year in my early 20’s completely incapacitated by depression and I hoped that I would never have to go through that again. I never sought any kind of help for my issues and they kept resurfacing every few years until I completely broke down last year. We should never be ashamed to ask for help so don’t piss away a whole decade of your life before you get the courage to get help whether it’s therapy, medication or both. Today was definitely a good day. It’s a real gift to have a friend with whom you can still act like a kid regardless of how old you are.

I hope you read this, D. You promised, you freak!

33 thoughts on “Friends, Travel And Other Demons

  1. He should definitely read it! Is he the same friend who looks way young and at some hospital they thought he was your son or something?

    That story about NY sounds terrifying. That's exactly why I'm not a spontaneous traveler. And you know the really messed up part- the disgusting hotel is what I'm thinking of, not even the homicide. O.o I'm so NOT a spontaneous traveler that I have my road trip at the end of the summer planned out nearly to the hour. That is not a joke. And it's a 2 week long, ~1500 mile, halfway cross-country road trip. Not like just to the beach for the weekend. I have a notebook.

    Your buddy better read your posts, leave a comment and dazzle us all. If he's so great he oughtta prove it! Jk. 😉 I'm glad you have a friend like that. 😀

    1. Yes, that's him! He can continue to think he looks 25 even though he's 34. (So there!)

      I do think the hotel was the worst part because I was kind of in shock when all the police stuff went down so I shrugged it off.

      OMG…you're not going to post for like two weeks?!?!?! Are you going with your hubs? I've never been on a road trip like that but I've always wanted to ever since I read On The Road.

      Yeah, he better leave some comments. He said he was going to read it so hopefully the comments will push him to join in the insanity.

  2. Is it bad that I thought the homicide was kinda cool? Yeah, that's bad…

    I don't really travel, but I try to find adventure in the city I live in. It's not that hard I guess. I mean, Toronto is full of weirdos… But to me, even observing something unusual classifies as a tiny adventure. I'm easy to entertain that way.

    1. LOL…well, it does make my story more interesting. I'm sad to say that it's not the first time I've seen a dead body. When I was a kid, we lived in a crappy part of town and my brother and I were playing outside. We were running around and I don't remember how we ended up near a dumpster. We started climbing on it for whatever reason and then we saw a body inside of a plastic bag. Holy shit that was scary. We were probably 5-6 years old and just ran away.

      You can always find adventure no matter where you live! 🙂

        1. I really don't remember if I did or not. I don't think I did because I was afraid that we would get in trouble for playing in a dumpster. Seriously…why would we be playing in a dumpster???? We were like caged little animals because my parents rarely let us out to play because of the bad neighborhood.

  3. He should definitely read it! Is he the same friend who looks way young and at some hospital they thought he was your son or something?

    That story about NY sounds terrifying. That’s exactly why I’m not a spontaneous traveler. And you know the really messed up part- the disgusting hotel is what I’m thinking of, not even the homicide. O.o I’m so NOT a spontaneous traveler that I have my road trip at the end of the summer planned out nearly to the hour. That is not a joke. And it’s a 2 week long, ~1500 mile, halfway cross-country road trip. Not like just to the beach for the weekend. I have a notebook.

    Your buddy better read your posts, leave a comment and dazzle us all. If he’s so great he oughtta prove it! Jk. 😉 I’m glad you have a friend like that. 😀

    1. Yes, that’s him! He can continue to think he looks 25 even though he’s 34. (So there!)

      I do think the hotel was the worst part because I was kind of in shock when all the police stuff went down so I shrugged it off.

      OMG…you’re not going to post for like two weeks?!?!?! Are you going with your hubs? I’ve never been on a road trip like that but I’ve always wanted to ever since I read On The Road.

      Yeah, he better leave some comments. He said he was going to read it so hopefully the comments will push him to join in the insanity.

  4. Aww…I hope your friend reads this! I'm glad you had a good time.
    OMG…sushicoma, YES! I can outeat ANYONE when it comes to sushi. I am serious. It is my favorite thing to pig out on. Those pics make me want sushi so bad and now I can't afford it, waaaaahhhhh! 🙁
    How do I feel about NYC? The last time I was there I was 16. It was a pretty good trip (despite my boyfriend of two years breaking up with me during it…ah, high school), but from what I remember, we also stayed in a SKETCHTASTIC hotel. I think it'd be good for me to go back now as an adult.

    1. My sil told me about this place and now it's like my favorite place to eat. Any time we hang out, we always go eat there. I don't eat out that often so when I do, I always want sushi…and I want a lot of it. Daniel and I went there a couple of months ago and ate even more than last night. Even our waitress was in a mild state of shock. lol Back off lady, we're eating sushi!

      Boys are so dumb. I know there is no such thing as a good time to break up with someone, but on a trip? Really? Despite out crazy time there, I would love to go to NYC again and actually stay in a nice place and plan out my trip like a normal person.

  5. Is it bad that I thought the homicide was kinda cool? Yeah, that’s bad…

    I don’t really travel, but I try to find adventure in the city I live in. It’s not that hard I guess. I mean, Toronto is full of weirdos… But to me, even observing something unusual classifies as a tiny adventure. I’m easy to entertain that way.

    1. LOL…well, it does make my story more interesting. I’m sad to say that it’s not the first time I’ve seen a dead body. When I was a kid, we lived in a crappy part of town and my brother and I were playing outside. We were running around and I don’t remember how we ended up near a dumpster. We started climbing on it for whatever reason and then we saw a body inside of a plastic bag. Holy shit that was scary. We were probably 5-6 years old and just ran away.

      You can always find adventure no matter where you live! 🙂

        1. I really don’t remember if I did or not. I don’t think I did because I was afraid that we would get in trouble for playing in a dumpster. Seriously…why would we be playing in a dumpster???? We were like caged little animals because my parents rarely let us out to play because of the bad neighborhood.

  6. Aww…I hope your friend reads this! I’m glad you had a good time.
    OMG…sushicoma, YES! I can outeat ANYONE when it comes to sushi. I am serious. It is my favorite thing to pig out on. Those pics make me want sushi so bad and now I can’t afford it, waaaaahhhhh! 🙁
    How do I feel about NYC? The last time I was there I was 16. It was a pretty good trip (despite my boyfriend of two years breaking up with me during it…ah, high school), but from what I remember, we also stayed in a SKETCHTASTIC hotel. I think it’d be good for me to go back now as an adult.

    1. My sil told me about this place and now it’s like my favorite place to eat. Any time we hang out, we always go eat there. I don’t eat out that often so when I do, I always want sushi…and I want a lot of it. Daniel and I went there a couple of months ago and ate even more than last night. Even our waitress was in a mild state of shock. lol Back off lady, we’re eating sushi!

      Boys are so dumb. I know there is no such thing as a good time to break up with someone, but on a trip? Really? Despite out crazy time there, I would love to go to NYC again and actually stay in a nice place and plan out my trip like a normal person.

  7. Just found your blog and already love it! Been to NY three times. The best part was meeting Edoard (just the once, mind you) and the worst was going to the Festival of San Genaro in little Italy. OMG. So crowded I freaked out and got separated from my peeps. That's when i figured out I cannot handle crowds. Also thanks for the movie recommendation. My favorite movies always have subtitles. Did you ever see Three Men and a Cradle? It's French and started my love of subtitles. I also love to read but my favs are European suspense and mysteries. Check out Elizabeth George or PD James or Reginald Hill. But you must start with the first ones, as they are series.
    P.S. No judging, but have you ever seen a documentary on octopus? They are so SMART
    they use tools! That's why I can never eat one. I'll stick to eels. Yum.

    1. Thanks so much Roxann!!! I love to have new visitors especially when they comment! It makes my day. I laughed when you mentioned meeting Edoard cause I met an Edoard as well on a trip to Florence…except he was kind of a creep who got me drunk and it did not end well. lol

      Sadly, I have not seen Three Men And A Cradle…just the hollywood remake. I know, I know. If you want to check out some really amazing french movies, try to get your hands on: The Dreamlife of Angels (La Vie Revee des Anges), Hate (La Haine), A Heart In Winter (Un Coeur En Hiver) and Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources. You might have already seen them if you follow a lot of foreign movies. Are you a fan of Pedro Almodovar?

      I have never heard that about octopus. That makes me sad cause I love to eat octopus so much. lol Eels give me the creeps because I hate snakes and they are the same thing in my mind.

      Thanks again for visiting; hope to see you around again. 🙂

  8. Thanks for your welcoming comment! So, you met an Edoard, too. Mine was very sophisticated indeed, to my 22-year old self! Yes, I have seen all those movies! Pedro's ( too lazy to spell last name) are more hit and miss for me. Off to do my nails !

    1. I'm glad yours wasn't a mega creep. Ahhh! Almodovar is a God to me. 🙂

      My favorite movie ever is The Lovers Of the Artic Circle…have you see it? Well, that and Derzu Uzala cause I went through a phase where I was obsessed with Akira Kurosawa.

      Do you have a blog?

      1. Nope. No blog. I am, however, a voracious reader. Sometimes read stuff in the shower(while waiting for conditioner to soak in, etc. ). Now u got me thinking bout which foreign film it was I first saw and hooked me, Think it was a Merchant and Ivory film……but I think not. Because that is English. does it count as foreign, per say?

  9. Just found your blog and already love it! Been to NY three times. The best part was meeting Edoard (just the once, mind you) and the worst was going to the Festival of San Genaro in little Italy. OMG. So crowded I freaked out and got separated from my peeps. That’s when i figured out I cannot handle crowds. Also thanks for the movie recommendation. My favorite movies always have subtitles. Did you ever see Three Men and a Cradle? It’s French and started my love of subtitles. I also love to read but my favs are European suspense and mysteries. Check out Elizabeth George or PD James or Reginald Hill. But you must start with the first ones, as they are series.
    P.S. No judging, but have you ever seen a documentary on octopus? They are so SMART
    they use tools! That’s why I can never eat one. I’ll stick to eels. Yum.

    1. Thanks so much Roxann!!! I love to have new visitors especially when they comment! It makes my day. I laughed when you mentioned meeting Edoard cause I met an Edoard as well on a trip to Florence…except he was kind of a creep who got me drunk and it did not end well. lol

      Sadly, I have not seen Three Men And A Cradle…just the hollywood remake. I know, I know. If you want to check out some really amazing french movies, try to get your hands on: The Dreamlife of Angels (La Vie Revee des Anges), Hate (La Haine), A Heart In Winter (Un Coeur En Hiver) and Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources. You might have already seen them if you follow a lot of foreign movies. Are you a fan of Pedro Almodovar?

      I have never heard that about octopus. That makes me sad cause I love to eat octopus so much. lol Eels give me the creeps because I hate snakes and they are the same thing in my mind.

      Thanks again for visiting; hope to see you around again. 🙂

  10. Thanks for your welcoming comment! So, you met an Edoard, too. Mine was very sophisticated indeed, to my 22-year old self! Yes, I have seen all those movies! Pedro’s ( too lazy to spell last name) are more hit and miss for me. Off to do my nails !

    1. I’m glad yours wasn’t a mega creep. Ahhh! Almodovar is a God to me. 🙂

      My favorite movie ever is The Lovers Of the Artic Circle…have you see it? Well, that and Derzu Uzala cause I went through a phase where I was obsessed with Akira Kurosawa.

      Do you have a blog?

      1. Nope. No blog. I am, however, a voracious reader. Sometimes read stuff in the shower(while waiting for conditioner to soak in, etc. ). Now u got me thinking bout which foreign film it was I first saw and hooked me, Think it was a Merchant and Ivory film……but I think not. Because that is English. does it count as foreign, per say?

  11. Sorry, I'm not a follower, but a leader… I do like this blog, though. Ahhh… Paris, j'adore ! I miss our adventures around the world. You better be getting ready to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro coz we ain't stopping once we start, freak! Btw, I'm really craving 7 mares. Any blog about that? lol

    1. Uhm, you better be following my blog or else I will kick your ass. Do you have some time this week for 7 mares? Lemme know.

      I miss our travels too…even when everything blew up in our faces. hahaha

  12. Sorry, I’m not a follower, but a leader… I do like this blog, though. Ahhh… Paris, j’adore ! I miss our adventures around the world. You better be getting ready to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro coz we ain’t stopping once we start, freak! Btw, I’m really craving 7 mares. Any blog about that? lol

    1. Uhm, you better be following my blog or else I will kick your ass. Do you have some time this week for 7 mares? Lemme know.

      I miss our travels too…even when everything blew up in our faces. hahaha

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