December 4nd, 2019 10:00pm
Have you ever traveled with your family for a week and not drank Tequila on the rocks for 7 straight days? No? Me neither.
The Dorell and Banafato Families have just returned from a week vacation to Miami and the Bahamas where we spent Thanksgiving on the Carnival Victory. While I had the biggest reservations on the trip at first it turned out to be an absolute blast. Everyone had a great time and no family trip would be complete without some type of JD Moment.
Saving the Ocean, One Pee Break at a Time
We can start in Miami where I spent three days with Mom and Dad at the beautiful FontaineBleau until Kenny and Tara arrived Sunday afternoon. Saturday morning I wake up to the most beautiful beach day and after my gym session I wake up Mom and Dad where we head down to claim our spot on the beach. Dad does not like sitting in the sun due to a Cancer scare a few years ago so we proceed to get him an umbrella to enjoy the sun safely.
Around noon the beach waitress comes over to ask if we would like anything and I proceed to order Mom and myself a drink while Dad refuses to drink. I look at him and go, “Dad, you don’t want anything to drink at all?” Mom proceeds to step in and goes, “Tell your daughter why you are refusing to drink.” Immediately catching on I ask him if it is so he does not have to use the bathroom and he quickly confirms my suspicions. I look around laughing and inform him, “Dad, natures largest bathroom is right in front of you and the actual bathroom is 2 minutes to your right!” He shrugs his shoulders blows me off and goes back to lounging.
The waitress gets back with our Peach Passion Spritzers (yes, it was as amazing as it sounds) and I ask him if he wants a sip. He quickly takes the drink and indulges in the sweet refreshing cocktail and about 10 minutes later I look over and he is passed out. One and done for JD.
After Dad wakes up from his nap he realizes that the sun has shifted and he is no longer under the umbrella as originally planned. He leans over and asks Mom for the suntan lotion and proceeds to spray his entire face and head with the SPF30 Australian Gold sunscreen. While he is so focused on getting every square inch of his face covered he forgets to take off his glasses coating them in the oily lotion. Mom, watching the entire event unfold, freaks out and yells at him to take off his glasses! He then realizes what happened and tries to clean them off on his towel. Unsuccessful he places the glasses that look like the have been covered in a light coat of Crisco back on his face and goes on with the rest of his day. There is something to be said about this man that is so dedicated to his sun protection because he could barely see out of his glasses for the next 5 hours while were at the beach.
A Morning Lost while Yacht Shopping
It is a common occurrence that Dad and I will go on a morning walk when ever we are together. It is also a common occurrence that we will tell Mom we are going for a walk and usually end up lost or find our way to a breakfast feast instead. I love this time with him because we just hang out and talk about nonsense and laugh at our own expense. Mom loves our morning walks more than we do because it gives her a chance to sleep in with out us waking her up (more than we already have) with our “bull in the china shop” antics. It is not our fault that the more we try to be quiet the louder we actually are. I mean honestly who can successfully knock over all of the items on the vanity multiple times in one visit at 5:30am. It is a talent! She was on the phone with Aunt Lori that morning and she asked where John was. My mom swiftly replies, “Oh, Jill took him for a walk.” Like a dog and Arthur from King of Queens I take my father for a walk in the mornings. Always bring a poop bag, only had to use it once.
This morning when I went to pick him up for our walk I am greeted at their door with a 6′-0″ man looking like a tub of sherbet. One thing this man loves most is tourits T-Shits and hats from various locations. He has hats from around the world to places he has never been to and various banks that he has no money at. We are not sure where he gets one but guaranteed he will always have one and you will not see it long before he loses it. Dad is not one to have a crazy wardrobe but when he gets a few colorful pieces he insists on wearing them all together at once. Like the ultimate tourist he has to represent every place he has traveled in the last 5 years all together. He totally fit in with the Miami flair for sure with his new hat purchase from the night before.
On this morning walk we told Mom we would be right back and ended up in South Beach and back to the hotel 2 hours later. No we did not get lost at least not that we will admit, somehow we just kept walking and before we knew it we were a few miles away! On the way back walked along the Fontainebleau Marina where Dad proceeded to pick out his Christmas gift and insisted I send a picture to Kenny and Tara asking for a joint gift this holiday. Maybe in a few years Dad… Right now I am still trying to afford my Wegman’s bill!
Are you From Miami?
Sunday Kenny and Tara arrive and we have a great afternoon at the pool. That night we go to South Beach for dinner where Dad proceeds to wear his newly acquired Miami hat. While walking down the street in his lime green Miami hat and salmon polo some woman asks him if he is from Miami. With out skipping a beat Tara replies, “Born and raised!” Got to love her! To be fair, he did have a whole Miami and in the 80’s ensemble going on.
We had dinner at this amazing little Italian cafe called Panne & Vino and credit to KD for finding this fantastic location. If there is one thing the Dorell Kids love more than their family, it is their pasta! Upon arrival to this beautiful little cafe you are captivated by the chef in the window making fresh gnocchi, ravioli, and tortellini. It is like a live cooking show right in front of you and no, they do not allow guest sous chef’s…. I asked for a friend.
We all had a great time at dinner and really got a chance to enjoy hanging out with each other since we have not been together in months. The best part about dinner is we all got to learn a little more about our parents that we have known for 30 years. Apparently Dad looks at the wall and smiles when asked to look at the camera for a picture and Mom does not hesitate to deep throat a wooden spoon piled with cream filling from the table-side Tiramisu when it is put right in her face. Family bonding at its finest!
At dinner Dad insisted on wearing his native Miami hat the entire time. Born and raised… have to represent! Next morning we were off to the ship!
