Sproket hotels and the avian bird flu.

You know who (YKW aka: the husband) and I went to Ireland and Paris for our honeymoon. I have to say that it was one of the best trips of my life. Ok, ok... so we were in Ireland when news that avian bird flu had made it to the island broke AND we were in Paris during intense rioting and demonstrations. There was an international incident involving my driving in Ireland and more disturbingly, with a questionable food item from a street vendor in Paris. I was sick in Dublin, Dave was sick in Paris.

Where was I? Oh yes. The honeymoon and why it was a wonderful and marvelous start to our marriage.

My husband learned french for me. He even ventured out on his own to pick up our laundry & got a Coke & learned our room number in french for the front desk. Now, he could have just gone along for the ride and not done the work since his wife is fluent(ish), but he didn't. He worked really hard and did something out of his comfort zone.

He made a charming impression on my friend Severine and her family by attempting to speak french. It was sweet and really touched me. I even overlooked the fact that he KISSED my friend.

and her sister.

and her mom.

and almost her dad.

I guess during all the lessons, they neglected to point out the kiss, kiss is really just air kissing. It was charming and lovely nonetheless.

For the first time in our marriage, things fell apart around us and we still kept our humor. We were in Paris and couldn't go to the top of the Eiffel Tower because of the riots. You would think that Dave would be crushed (I had already done it on a previous trip), but he just smiled and said we'd be back and do it on the next trip.

I was bedridden sick upon our arrival in Dublin. He went sightseeing alone in a foreign country while I slept and located cold medicine and juice for me. He also got stopped by security at just about every flying opportunity

In Ireland, I drove and Dave navigated. It was really quite strangely, metaphoric for our marriage. Had the roles been reversed, we likely would still be stuck on one of the hideously small half dirt roads near the cliffs of Moher. You think I jest, but I do not. It is the same in our marriage, Dave keeps me on track, not lost, and I keep him driving for new possibilities and adventure. Wow, that sounds cheesey as hell, but it is true.



In conclusion I have a million lovey pictures of us kissing near the Seine. But, if posing (at the extremely strong urging of your new wife) with a chicken right after hearing the news about the BIRD FLU doesn't scream LOVE, then I don't know what does.


Love, I still think you're wonderful & marvelous. I can't wait for the next international incident and all those that follow.