Howie and I got back from a relaxing and fun vacation in the Mayan Riveria last week and I have to say, I’ve come home with a new and intriguing perspective of my husband. I don’t know if it was the warm weather, the fact we were vacationing with friends, (or more probably the tequila) but something came over my usually hesitant Howie and turned him into a connoisseur of trying new things.
Playa del Carmen
It started with the food. For years, I’ve tried to convince Howie he might actually like certain seafoods besides beer-battered haddock. In the heat of the dinner moments he started trying shrimp, sushi and even mussels. His face would scrunch up as he anticipated a disgusting bite, then, his face relaxed, eyebrows raised, and he exclaimed, “Actually, that isn’t so bad!”
Then he participated in the resort pool competitions, losing only by a hair in the kayaking beer-chugging contest. Next, on an excursion we descended into a cenote (underground cave filled with pristine rain-water) and Howie was the first one to jump off the rock into the water (a feat that even I, was too scared to do). To top it off he was mildly attacked by a parrot on his shoulder.
The most thrilling feat of all, however, was when our excursion took us to the edge of a jungle cliff and told us we were all going to rappel down. His cautious instincts kicked in full force at that point:
Howie: Cheryl, this is crazy. Are they seriously making us all do this?!
Cheryl: Yah. This is kinda nuts. I’m not sure about this.
(We walk over to the ledge and look down)
Cheryl: Ummm… I’m not so sure I’m going to do this
Friends: What? You’re not going to go down?
Cheryl: I don’t know….
Howie: It’s ok! It’s ok everyone! I will escort Cheryl down on the trail!
Instructor: No no! You will be fine! Everybody does this!
Howie: Babe, you don’t have to do this. Don’t worry I will walk you down the side
Cheryl: Actually I think I’m going to do it Howie.
Howie: (Eyes bulging) What?! No, no, don’t be silly. There’s no shame. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do
Cheryl: No I think it’s fine Howie. They said 80 year old ladies did it. I’m going to do it.
Howie: (High-pitched groan) Are you sure?
Our friend Denise rappelling down!
(We start putting on our gear and get in the line, Howie repeatedly tells me it’s ok if I want to turn around and walk down because he will escort me. Soon, a lady in front of us starts freaking out)
Freaked Out Lady: No! No! I’m not going to do this. Unhook me! I can’t do this!
Instructor: Yes you can! Look at my face! Look in my eyes! You are fine! You can do this!
Freaked Out Lady: No no I can’t! I can’t do this! Let me out!
Everyone else: Come on! You can do it! It’s ok!
Howie: It’s ok! No need to do it if you don’t want! I will assist you and walk you down!
Instructor: Everybody stop talking! Listen lady, trust me! I do this all the time. You can do it!
Howie: It’s ok if you can’t do it! No shame in it! I will help you walk down the side!
(Freaked Out Lady decides she can’t do it right away. She goes to the back of the line. I assume the next position to go down)
Cheryl: Don’t worry Howie, I will go first. Just watch me!
Instructor: Ok mister give your wife a last kiss goodbye!
Howie: (Groans)
Cheryl: She’s kidding babe!
(I cautiously start to repel down the side, it’s not so bad at all. I stand with the other people at the bottom and wait for Howie)
Howie: (Muttering about craziness and dying from up there)
Cheryl: Come on babe you can do it!
(Howie starts slowing descending down)
Friends: Look around you Howie! Look down! It’s beautiful!
Howie: NOT LOOKING DOWN! NOT LOOKING ANYWHERE!
(Howie takes a peak and looks down)
Howie: Oh sh*t!
Cheryl: You’re almost there! Keep going!
(Howie makes it to the bottom)
Howie: WOOOOO!
Friends: See? Wasn’t that fun?
Howie: NO!
Despite saying he did not have fun, I knew he couldn’t admit to it after making a big deal about it. I was truly impressed with Howie. His adventuresome seems to come out when we go on hoildays. I supposed we will need to go on a lot more of these…..
Do you find you’re more likely to try things out of your comfort zone when you go on vacation?
Hi,
Sounds like a fun time had by all, and I love your photos.
The drop down does look a bit scary, good on everyone for doing it. Did the Lady finally decide to go down by rope?
Yes! She did end up going down at the last minute – we were all cheering
Yay! I became a Yes Woman on our last vacation! It was EPIC. Good for Howie!!!
On my arrival to college for the first time, we took a tour of the campus. The ROTC was allowing people to rappel down the the side of their building. My father attempted to talk me into trying it. The thought of it made me sick and I refused. Of all the crazy things I did in college, that’s the one thing I regret never trying. Glad you guys had fun!
Loving your post – have a great weekend1
Sounds like a wonderful vacation! My Hubs would have said N-to-the-O about going down that thing, too. Heights are not to be trusted in my household.