The Trip Down
It’s 9:30 on a Saturday morning. I’m in a Starbucks eating an overpriced chicken sandwich (I was hungry despite my breakfast an hour earlier) and typing on my laptop. I felt so in-place … it kinda scared me a little. I was waiting for a group of friends who were going to Atlantic City for the continuing celebration of my friend Amanda’s 30th birthday.
As everyone piled in and coffee orders were finalized, we made our way to two stretch limos. Originally we were to have a private party bus, but it broke down on it’s way to NYC. No complaints. Sure the party had to be split from one vehicle of fourteen to two of six and eight.
Of course I adore this group of friends so I knew the ride would be fun no matter who was with me. Plus we were well stocked with booze, soda and snacks. We laughed as tourists snapped photos of the limos and off we went, slowly weaving our way out of the grind of Manhattan to the grind of the NJ Turnpike and beyond.
The Garden State Parkway was a parking lot (as usual). The drivers decided to take a detour. Admittedly we were all too occupied with our little parties to really concern ourselves with the route. Although, from time to time someone would peer out of the window and comment on how pretty it was. Many folks, including myself, tend to forget the beauty that is New Jersey. They forget that the factories and dense crowds are but a small fraction of this state. There is a reason it is called The Garden State after all.
We stopped in a town called Smithville to overrun a restaurant. I don’t remember the name since we only needed to use the restrooms. Here’s where the first of many advantages to being one of only three men on the trip became apparent. Our bathroom break was quick as hell. Never wanting to waste an opportunity to explore (or shop), my friend Holly found a little shop to by something girly. Make up or something. I’m not sure. Then we were back on the road.
Back in the limo, Holly and I had this thing where she would guess how long it was going to take to get to Atlantic City and I would compare it to what Google Maps was telling me. She was pretty on the mark each time. And when we arrived, the first potential disadvantage of traveling with such a large group became apparent. OK, not a disadvantage really. Perhaps better described as a sorta keystone cops effect of trying to keep everyone organized.
Not to worry because the duty of organization was placed to my friend Jennifer. Her love of excel spreadsheets and perfectly manicured itineraries was fodder for much praise among the group. She perfected this from her year of traveling with Amanda and Holly as The Lost Girls explored the world (book to come soon).
Before heading down to the pools, we all checked out our rooms. And so shined another advantage to being only one of three guys; three amazing girls for roommates. Jennifer, Bindu and Holly. This made me happy (minds out of the gutter, please). As did watching the birthday girl jump on the bed with total abandon. It was, as she said, her birthday and her right to do it. We agreed.
