|
|
|
8/17/04 LKNew JerseyLast year around this time, I was an about-to-be -Married” (per Bridget Jones) looking forward to two weddings (mine and my brother’s) and the start of a year-long trip around the world. Without knowing for sure where we’d be on our first anniversary, I remember thinking fondly that Michael and I would be in some exciting and exotic locale. As it turns out…not so much. We spent our first anniversary in New Jersey.
One of Michael’s closest friends, Brian Zimmet, set his wedding date for August 14th in Short Hills, New Jersey (our anniversary falls on August 16). As you might have guessed, I was not thrilled when first apprised of the plan to leave Ecuador for New Jersey, especially so shortly after getting back on the road. Of course, I quickly agreed that we could not miss Zimmet’s wedding. And, after only a minimal amount of kvetching, I realized not only would NJ be a nice chance to see Michael’s friends and share in Brian’s wedding; we’d also be able to get in a quickie visit with family.
As it turns out, we had a great time in the aforementioned Jersey. Brian and Ilanit’s wedding was a lot of fun – great food and dancing ‘til 4 a.m.! We even got to spend a little quality time with Brian and Mark and Lisa Sokobin the night before Brian’s big day.
As Michael mentioned, we drove to Kim and Steve’s beautiful house in Rumson after the wedding. Although our visit was brief, it was such a treat to see everyone. Kim and Steve had a full house. My mom, dad, brother Daniel and his girlfriend Mia all drove out to Rumson to meet us for the weekend. And we had another great surprise when we were able to slip in a visit with my brother David and his wife Della who were up from Atlanta visiting.
As it turns out, the weekend of August 14th was the perfect time to be in New Jersey. We partied at Brian and Ilanit’s wedding. We celebrated my father’s birthday (also August 14th). And, we marked our first wedding anniversary with our family while devouring Krispy Kremes and wedding cake. What could be better?
8/17/04 MK Yes, we’re in New Jersey. No it isn’t a small town in Ecuador or Chile but a large state on the east coast of the USA. For those who are wondering, I believe we are around exit 109.
We came to Jersey for the wedding of one of my best friends, Brian Zimmet, and his fiancée Ilanit. For some reason Brian didn’t seem to understand that choosing a wedding date in the middle of our world tour would be a major inconvenience for us. I tried to explain, and went so far as pleading, but he was pretty intent on getting married in August. So…once again, in the middle of our world tour, we were bound for the USA.
Given that our anniversary is August 16th, this also meant Lisa and I were not going to spend our one year anniversary in some far off exotic land as we had expected and so looked forward to. No, we would be in New Jersey. When we finally came to grips with this reality, we decided we would celebrate at a later date, when we were in fact in that foreign exotic land. More on this later.
Despite our complaints we had a great time at the wedding. It was great to see my east coast friends, who I don’t get to spend much time with even when we are home. It was also great seeing several old friends from college who I haven’t seen or spoken with in years. All in all, it turned out to be a nice reunion and a good party.
After the wedding we went to Kim and Steve’s place in Rumson. I, along with most everybody in the free world, like to poke fun at New Jersey. It is often referred to as the armpit of the U.S. New York’s red headed stepchild. And of course, the aforementioned “which exit” joke. Regardless, of the reputation, I have to say, Rumson is an awesome place. It’s exactly the kind of town Lisa and I have been looking for on the west coast. Small town feel with big town culture. If you’re family, don’t get excited and think we’re moving back east. Until you get better waves for surfing and bigger mountains for skiing, we’ll be staying out west.
It was great seeing friends and family but we are looking forward to resuming the journey.
By the way, I recently started reading a great book about a family from Marin County who took a year off to travel. It is appropriately entitled “One Year Off”.
CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN & ILANIT.
|
|
Home l Itinerary l Journal/Photos l Fun Stuff l References l Navigation l Contact Us |
