Õnnehetked: Spring break part 1

Kui Ryan meid kevadvaheajaks Floridasse kutsus, särasin ma rõõmust mitu tundi. Varem ei osanud ma sellest unistadagi. Ryan aga on Floridast pärit ning tema vanematel on põhja-Floridas, kuurortlinnas Destin-is puhkemaja, mida nad kõrghooajal välja rendivad. Kevadel on aga rentijatel huvi väiksem ning seega saime me võimaluse kevadvaheaeg seal veeta.

Ryan really took me by surprise when he invited us to spend spring break in Florida with him and his family. I couldn't even dream about that earlier and I guess that's what made it so great in the first place. Ryan's roots are in Florida and his family happens to have a holiday rental in Destin, Northwest Florida. As the villa was not rented for spring break, we got the opportunity to spend our week over there.

Neljatunnise reisi vältel Baton Rouge-st Destinisse ületasime tervelt kolme osariigi piiri - Mississippi, Alabama ja lõpuks Florida. Sõit aga polnud sugugi igav ja väsitav, sest kõik oli ju ääretult põnev. Meiega olid kaasas ka Ryani koerad Weego ja Porkchop.

We crossed three state boarders on our way from Baton Rouge to Destin - Mississippi, Alabama and eventually Florida. I really didn't mind the four hour drive since everything was new and exciting. Weego and Porkchop - Ryan's two adorable dogs - also joined us for the trip.

Floridasse jõudes kohtusime esmalt Ryani imearmsa perega Pensacola-s. Pärast lõunasööki ja esmast tutvustustundi sõitsime üheskoos Destinisse. Ryani sünnilinna tulime mõned päevad hiljem tagasi, sellest juba pikemalt mu järgmises postituses. Vähem kui tunni pärast olimegi Destinis. Mäletan hästi, et jäin vaikseks ja ei suutnud oma silmi uskuda. Esimest korda elus olin jõudnud tõelisesse paradiisi - ei olnud ma ju kunagi varem palmide all ranna liival puhkust veetnud. Olin südamest õnnelik ja poleks muud osanud soovida, kui ainult et mu lähedased oleks seal minuga koos olnud. Samal õhtul nautisime Ryani perega värsket kala ja krevette ning jalutasime rannal valgel liival, vahel varbaid vette kastes.

Once in Florida, we met Ryan's lovely family in Pensacola. After lunch and first introduction, we headed all together towards Destin. I'll tell you a little more about Ryan's hometown in my next blog post! We arrived to Destin within an hour and I remember clearly how I couldn't believe my eyes. I had arrived to paradise - first time ever, I was about to spend my holiday on the beach surrounded by palm trees. I was sincerely happy and could have only wished my loved ones to be there with me. Later that evening we enjoyed fresh fish and shrimp with Ryan's parents and sister, and went for a midnight walk on the beach.

Ühel pool meri, teisel pool järv!

Sea in front of the house, and a lake behind.

Pühapäeva hommikul krabasime Gerbeniga rattad ja läksime oma ümbrust uudistama. Destin on üsna väike linn ja seega polnud mingi probleem vähemalt ranna ääresele ring peale teha. Õhtuks plaanisime pereringis sadamasse sõita, et sealset ilu imetleda, esimest korda elus austreid süüa ja mõnusalt aega veeta.

On Sunday, Gerben and I grabbed the bikes and wondered around in Destin. Later, we drove down to the harbor with our temporary family to enjoy the amazing atmosphere and some good food. I got to try oysters the very first time!

Olen nii tänulik Ryani vanematele, et nad andsid meile selle imelise võimaluse kevadvaheaeg nendega veeta. Hetkeks tundus, et oleme jõudnud koju, kus on turvaline ja suurepärane olla. See nädalane kogemus meenutas mulle paljustki neid, kes keskkooli ajal aastaks välismaale lähevad ja seal peres elavad. Tundsin, et võin nende imearmsat peret oma Ameerika pereks kutsuta.

I am so greatful for Ryan's parents for the opportunity to spend our spring break with them. Their warmth made me feel home, safe and taken care of. It reminded me some of my friends, who had gone abroad for a year during high school. They had lived in a family and since then call them their Australian or French family. I felt like I could say the same about the Kirby's - my American family.

Ryan klõpsis selle kifti pildi, kui olin endale just uue kübara soetanud, mida juba päris mitu aastat otsinud olin. Ryani õde Meghan aitas mul selle välja valida ning tundub, et kübar meeldib ka teistele.

Ryan was able to catch this great moment right after I purchased my new hat. I had been looking for something like this already for few years. Ryan's sister helped me to pick the right one and everybody else seem to love it too!

Terve nädal möödus tõelises puhkuse meeleolus. Meil ei olnud kunagi kuskile kiiret ja päevaplaane tegime samuti vaid samal hommikul. Paaril korral põikasime hommikusöögiks kohalikesse kohvikutesse, vihmase ilmaga kolasime outlet poodides, kus hinnad tõesti suurepärased olid. Kahjuks ilm niisama rannas vedelemist ei lubanud, küll aga istusin mitmel korral rõdul, vaatega merele, ja lugesin raamatut või kirjutasin postkaarte, mis praeguseks juba teieni on jõudnud. Ryani sõidutas meid veidi ringi ka, uudistasime sellised kohti nagu Bay town ja Seaside. Viimases muide on filmitud Jim Carry kuulus film 'Trumanni show'.

The whole week turned out to be very chilled. We were never in a rush and made our plans for the day in the mornings. We enjoyed breakfast in local cafes, spend some time in the outlet stores on a rainy day. The weather wasn't warm enough to lay on the beach, but I did take time to sit on the balcony, read a book or write my greetings to you. Few times we drove further away from Destin, to Bay Town and Seaside. If you happen to know 'The Trumann show'', then that's exactly where it was filmed.