Magical Moments

Did a bit of traveling this week…..at least on Thursday. I was swimming in Hawaii!  Yep, that’s right, took myself to last summer, Randy and I were swimming with the turtles at Napili on Maui—I am at the infusion center and when the nurse was getting my IV all set—I was swimming in Hawaii…just one of those perfect days, so another Happy Place has been uncovered.  You know a lot of my Happy Places involve my family….camping, traveling, family get-togethers and friends….parties, dinners, concerts…..the list could go on and on.  For today, travel is on my brain, so I am going to some of my favorite places that I’ve traveled to over the years.

* Madrid, Spain—there is a plaza with frescoes….Plaza Major…..one of my favorite people watching places in the world!

*Pamplona, Spain—the extreme party of San Fermin–without question the biggest, fun-est party anywhere on the planet.

*Siena, Italy—festive and cultural, bringing back medieval times during Il Palio, fabulous horse race—so cool.

*Kyoto, Japan—my first international travel in 1990—the golden palace/the Japanese gardens/maple tree festival along the river—everything was so new and beautiful and exciting.

*Jerusalem, Israel—walking through this ancient city for the first time…spiritual, such cultural diversity and just extremely amazing that 4 distinctive quarters where they have been neighbors for a millennium—though religion and culture differ so dramatically.

*The Masada, Israel and the Dead Sea—such a testament to the strength of the people who survived against unsurmountable odds and in very environmentally hostile areas.

These are just a few of those places that I can conjure up on a whim—those happy moments of a new discovery.  It is great to find that perfect wine bar or stop for food that turns into something you can’t wait to tell your friends about, and it becomes just a magical moment when all the stars line up and there is no way you could have planned a more quintessentially exceptional happening.  And I have to smile, because I know that not everyone experiences these for instances. I am ecstatic—that I have had my fair share and I have had the good fortune to experience them with family and friends. I can’t wait to experience many, many more!!

Last night, we had the honor of celebrating the wedding of Mackinzie and Billy Erickson.  It was such a reminder for me of the vows Randy and I took many, many years ago—they are so young, so in love and surrounded by family and friends.  It was one of those magical moments that I am so glad to have been apart of.