The magic of a vacation

I know that it has been almost two weeks since I've been back from Cuba, but I feel that now is a good time to bring up the whole thing and how greatful I am that it happened.

On March 6th, 7 friends (James, Melissa, Alex, Katlynne,Rob, Kate & Jenia) and I headed to Cayo Coco, Cuba for the first time. Not knowing what to expect, we made sure to do our research before departing and brought a medicine cabinet full of cures for a tummy ache. That being said, we needed none of it and the week went smoother than smooth. We spent a week at the Iberostar Daiquiri where we became friends with the staff- the chefs, the receptionists and the bartenders (who soaked us with alcohol all week.) We lazed by the pool, only to get up to apply sunscreen, take a dip in the water and eat at the buffet. For a week, this place became our home away from home, making it harder to leave on the last day. We did everything together, and getting back to reality where we had to live our separate lives was a challenge once we were back in Montreal and had to split up at the airport.

It amazes me how spending one week with the same group of people can make a friendship grow stronger. You learn so much about one another.

The days we spent lying on the beach, with the sand in our toes and our skin soaking in the sun. The pina colada and strawberry daiquiri orders. The endless buffet: pineapple juice & potato balls. The shows and our sexy-walk. The discotheque and dancing with cupid. The random movies and cartoons. Waking everyone up in the morning. Eating coconut by the pool. The walks on the beach finding shells & topless women. The quote book. Getting dressed up every night for dinner. The sandy remains in our beach bags. Pilar Beach (Paradise <3). The Iberostar staff & Star Friends. Speaking spanish. Laughing uncontrollably. The drama night that made us closer. The slow internet connection. The expensive phone call home. The crummy courtesy room. The last night that wasn't supposed to happen. The airport and flight home. The souvenirs from the vendors. The starfish, sand dollars and sea cucumber/penis. The beach chairs. The smell of the ocean breeze. The nights on the balcony. Stolen wine & cuban cigars. Rum & coke?. Sun stroke. Sun burn. Aloe Vera. Pictures. Drawing hearts in the sand. Cuba 2009 <3

Squeaky swings and tall grass
The longest shadows ever cast
The water's warm and children swim
And we frolicked about in our summer skin

Ever since this trip, I have been keeping in touch with everyone more than ever before. Last night we went to Dairy Queen (for the first time this season) and the gang gave me an amazing card to congratulate me on my acceptance to John Molson School of Business at Concordia. I am so incredibly thankful to have them all in my life and I don't know where I'd be today without them keeping a smile on my face. Already last night we were talking about planning our next trip, and I am already excited to see where life takes us next. Until then, we will always have the memories that this trip has brought us...