Happy Anniversary and Merry Christmas Eve
We have not only survived 4 years of living together, we have managed to travel together consecutively for 41 days. Wow! I think we’ve each had turns having mini-melt downs and shared some great unforgettable experiences. I’m grateful to say I think we’ve learned a lot from eachother about acceptance, shared decision making, prioritizing, compromizing, making up and forgiveness, letting go, having fun, and other relationship skills that do not come naturally to either one of us. I think between the two of us we have what it takes to keep going, and keep learning, each day a new day.
One of the things I love about Ace the most is how much fun we have together. When we first met I was so stuck in my routines and comfort zone, feeling trapped by work and stuck in life. She brought energy, dancing, flirting, fun, and joy back in. I would never in a million years have thought to attempt a trip like this without her initiation. I’m not sure I would call it a life changing experience yet, but I would say it has somewhat defined our relationship at this time as being one of adventurers and shared travelers on a path of the unknown.
A quick note (that everyone reading this already probably knows) we do not celebrate Christmas. It has been refreshing to be away from all the comercialization of this holiday this year. I am grateful to say also that those that we love do not overly participate in that part of the ritual. I do appreciate every year the freedom and permission to allow me not to participate at all. We hope you all feel warm and safe and that you’re holidays are what you hope for them to be.
We were still in recovery mode from the trek, and without the internet to upload to the blog, and a boat to get to shore, we spent the day sleeping and reading, relaxing on the deck. I got an $8 traditional Japanese massage (not the best and not the worst) and made plans for the 25th.
We were surprised to get a call from the front desk in the evening inviting us to dinner at the dining hall. There were free drinks and a free fish for dinner, and we were treated to a show of traditional music and dances including dances from the Shan, Pa-O, and Long-Neck tribes. The highlight of our day this day.
