Imagine creating a dream itinerary for traveling around the world. Converting lifelong dreams, goals and whims into one continuous direction of travel with a maximum number of stops is not easy. Now imagine calling your mother to share your dream itinerary and your unfortunate ability to fit the United States into what it means to you to travel the world. 

There would be silence. I now know what deafening silence means. After my timid, “Mom, are you still there?”, the silence was still deafening. So I knew I was going to have to work on the itinerary a bit. 

Airport drop off in North Carolina: little brother, mum, niece and twin sister.

Then along comes an invitation to the wedding of my high school best friend’s daughter — my goddaughter. I was the Best Man at his wedding many, many, years ago, so I knew I was going to have to work on my itinerary a bit. 

Goddaughter’s wedding Los Angeles

Then soon after, along comes a second invitation to one of my university best friend’s wedding — being held the same weekend as the first invitation, but on a different day and only about 500 miles apart. 

Todd & Joy’s wedding San Francisco/Oakland

Clearly the universe was lining up to tell me to go to the US, so I popped by this week. I boarded a flight from Medellín to Charlotte to Los Angeles to San Francisco. 

This is my Great American Side Trip in order of appearances. The indulgent number of selfies and snapshots below tell the story; not much else is needed from me

I crashed the ‘ladies lunch’. My mom’s teacher co-worker buddies (of 20 years) in Columbia, South Carolina.
My former housemates, and what it is like anytime we get together: Los Angeles
Me dragging Dan to San Francisco (from LA) to attend Todd’s wedding
What happens when your high school friends pick you up at SFO and drop you off at your hotel . . . an accidental 3 hour boozy lunch: San Francisco
Three Cal Berkeley grads and besties gather for pre-Todd & Joy‘s wedding. Mexican food in Oakland, California
Todd! At his wedding: Oakland, California
photo shoots happen when your film director and high school bestie picks you up from the airport in LA
photo shoots happen when your film director and high school bestie picks you up from the airport in LA
photo shoots happen when your film director and high school bestie picks you up from the airport in LA
Goddaughter’s wedding! Bride & Groom: Los Angeles
For whom I was his Best Man. Father of the bride with bride.
My high school drama teacher at the wedding – oh my!

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Kimberley (Anderson) Smith

    Glad you got back to see your Momma! That’s important. XO Kimbo

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