The night before their honeymoon, Sandy and Dave were buzzing with excitement. Their friends had gathered at the bar for a sendoff celebration, filling the air with laughter, drinks, and the sound of cornhole bags thudding against the boards. Stories of past misadventures were shared, and anticipation for their 6am flight to Belize the next morning was palpable. The main topic of conversation? Dave’s notorious procrastination, specifically his lack of packing for the trip. He swore, amidst laughter and good-natured teasing, that he’d pack as soon as they got home.
As the night wore on, it became a blur of drinks, jokes, and the kind of fun that makes time fly. By 2am, they scheduled their Uber for a ride home. Stumbling through their front door, Sandy, sensible and aware of the ticking clock, went straight to bed. Dave, with all the determination of a man who’s had a few too many, decided to lie down on the couch “just for a minute” to plan his packing strategy.
At 4am, Sandy’s alarm blared through the house. She woke up in a panic, realizing they were already behind schedule. Rushing into the living room, she found Dave sprawled out on the couch, sound asleep beside an empty suitcase. With a mix of urgency and frustration, she shook him awake. Dave groggily sat up, disoriented and with a hazy recollection of his packing intentions.
Sandy was in full go-mode. She flew around the house, gathering her things, scheduling the Uber, and trying to rouse Dave from his stupor. It wasn’t until they were waiting for their ride that she had a moment to breathe – and then it hit her. She was still drunk from the night before. The realization was sobering, but there was no time to dwell on it. They loaded their luggage into the Uber and sped off toward the airport.
The ride was a nightmare. The driver’s erratic weaving through South Florida traffic, hard braking, and sudden accelerations made Sandy’s head spin and her stomach churn. By the time they arrived at the airport, she was barely holding it together. Miraculously, they breezed through security and reached their gate just as final boarding was announced. Collapsing into their seats, they breathed a collective sigh of relief and promptly fell asleep, exhausted from the whirlwind of the morning.
When they touched down in Belize City, they groggily made their way to the terminal for their next leg of the journey: a small puddle jumper flight to Dangriga. This tiny plane, seating only seven passengers and one pilot, was a new experience for Sandy. The turbulence from the smaller aircraft was relentless, and with every dip and sway, her nausea worsened. Desperately trying to keep it together, she pressed her face against the window, trying to distract herself with the stunning views below. Dave, in a better state, couldn’t help but chuckle at her plight, earning a playful but weak glare from Sandy.
Finally, they landed in Dangriga, and the fresh air instantly revived Sandy. The breathtaking beauty of Belize hit them immediately, making the rough morning seem worth it. Their journey wasn’t over yet, though. They had a boat ride to the island of Coco Plum. The water was calm, and the sky was a vibrant blue as they set off with three other couples. Halfway there, the boat captain suddenly stopped and warned them to secure their belongings; a storm was approaching.
Looking up, they saw the sky split in two – one half still clear and sunny, the other dark and foreboding. They scrambled to protect their things just as the heavens opened. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking everyone to the bone. The boat had no shelter, and the seas became choppy, but the warm rain was oddly refreshing. Laughter erupted despite the storm, everyone embracing the adventure.
Ten minutes later, the rain stopped as suddenly as it had started, and the skies cleared. They arrived at Coco Plum, drenched but exhilarated. The laughter and camaraderie continued as they disembarked, dripping wet and ready for the next part of their adventure. The staff welcomed them with warm blankets and led them to the dining room, as the cabins weren’t ready yet. They shared a meal, swapping stories and reveling in the wild start to their honeymoon.
As Sandy and Dave looked around at the smiling faces of their fellow travelers, they knew this was a story they’d be telling for years. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the island, and they felt a deep sense of peace and excitement for the week ahead. Despite the chaos of the morning, they were ready to embrace whatever came next on this unforgettable journey.
Tales from the Drunken Road 
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