Cousins Taste Sweeter

I landed in LA with a bad cough and low energy. I want to experience every city, every moment with the utmost enthusiasm and gumption.. so to have such undeniable restrictions seemed like a heavy blow. Sometimes cousin love is just what you need.

Katie Magill had a delightfully convenient week off from work starting the day I arrived in Los Angeles, and was able to pick me up from the airport and usher me around during my ten-hour break between flights. As a host, you always worry that you are not providing enough excitement/entertainment/adventure for your guest. And yet, a long day in the passenger's seat was exactly what I needed. We stopped at the Farmer's Market for authentic taquitos and Spoon #2, and then I was treated to some behind the scenes action at Manhattan Beach Studios on Rosecrans (aka Rose Coconuts). In a massive warehouse the size of an airplane hangar, Katie's gent Daniel and his crew of kitchen gurus served us the most amazing meal of steak, duck, fish, sweet potatoes, artichoke hearts, rice, salad, etc. etc. for all the things I couldn't even fit on my plate. Danny and co. were such sweet hosts while Katie and I took time to relax and enjoy multi-lingual humor. It does not matter what your first language is; smiles are universal. 

After the satisfying grub, Katie and I took a nice long, leisurely stroll down past Redando Beach, all along the ocean shoreline. Reading through my handwritten journal, I find no less than three instances of 'GOOD COUSIN TIME!' scribbled throughout the day's events. How sweet it is, to be able to spend your last hours with someone who can be cherished for a lifetime and beyond.

When I first booked this trip, some wondered why I had decided to spend my time and money on a detour to Seattle and Los Angeles, when instead I could go straight to New Zealand. I admit, at the beginning I did not know exactly why my intuition was drawing me to do so. But, in accordance with my trust in Foresight and Fortitude, I knew there would be immense benefit in scheduling my trip this way. I could never have guessed the benefits that came from the juxtaposition* of comfort and encouragement from those you love.

The night before my departure in Ann Arbor, I came up with a silly 'nurse' task that required cousin Jenni Stout to spend valuable hours with me as I made my final preparations and considerations. I treasure the moments with my loving, kind, thoughtful, and clever cousin as we laughed and pondered over what I might encounter in the coming months. I now carry with me both the massively informative New Zealand travel book, as well as very charming leather journal, now full of my inner thoughts. I have her to thank for the success of many of my wanderings and wonderings.

Enter cousin number two, Julia, who was such a gracious host as I ironed out many of my untested travel tips, and who provided invaluable tips of her own that have now become staples in my travel life. What a joy that I am now able to tell you that a third cousin was integral to sending me properly on my way. I feel very blessed that Katie was able to nurture my sick, tired, yet enthusiastic self just moments before I left the country. Throw in Ali and Michelle, two of the friends I hold most dear to my heart, and I now know exactly why my side-trip was so SO important. 

You don't have to come from the same blood to provide the best nutrition. 

ALSO: On the Fiji Airline trip from LA to FIJI, I received the best air-meal. Curry chicken with rice and lentils. Ceasar salad with chicken. Fruit Salad. Dinner roll with butter. Crackers and cheese. Twix bar. Triple chocolate brownie. Water. Free beer/wine of choosing. And a sense of appreciation strong enough to carry the plane.

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* juxtapostion. My favorite word in the English language.

PVs

1) Giving up the need for good handwriting in my personal journal. Most of you know how big of an obstacle this is for me to overcome.. so the fact that I can see two misspellings, one grammar error, and countless barely-legible items is monumental. However, I don't have time to worry about my execution when I'm on a bus//boat//tiny hostel mattress.

Myself, Danny, and Katie.

Danny's beautiful dinner spread.

Spoon #3 from Fiji!

Fiji Feast.