#walker pearson

The rest of our honeymoon sped by slowly, if that makes sense. We did everything and nothing at all. We saw the sights, swam in the ocean, Obie took a sword fighting lesson from a local and even tried his hand at sparring. We stayed in… We went out… It was all around a great trip.

*alarm goes off*

W: *sigh* Time for check-in.

O: *groans* How about we “miss” the flight and start a new life on the run? Pretty sure the office would let me work from home if I ask real nice…

W: *giggles* Sure, but it’ll be on you to explain to Mia why we’ll miss the family cookout. I just got off her shit-list and have no intentions of going back on it!

O: *laughs* Will do. C’mon! We’re still on vacation for another 22 hours. No work email!

W: *chuckles* It’s not work. Imane is asking for our availability next week and… woah!

O: What happened?

W: My mom wants to know if your family would like to join us at The Lodge for Winterfest.

O: What??

W: Yeah… she says it’s a big year for both our families and she and Daddy would love to have them. Also, renovations should be done by late fall so there should be lots of room. 

O: *stunned* Wow, that’s… wow. I mean… I can ask, but it might be a stretch.

W: *concerned* Maybe not… We’ve got five and a half months to plan.

O: For Clem and Martin, maybe. I’m sure it would be fine. But for Ani and Ethan—

W: Look, the lodging and food are, of course, covered. Really, it’s only the flights they’d have to worry about and there’s plenty of time to comparison shop. Plus, we can help if needed. I mean, between us and my folks, we have enough points to spare.

O: I don’t know… I mean, it would be amazing! Don’t get me wrong, but—

W: Let’s just ask when we get home. No pressure, just see if there’s any interest and take it from there.

O: Yeah… sure. I’ll ask.

W: It’s gonna be fine, babe. If it’s a no, it’s a no. My folks won’t be offended.

O: It’s official… Dambele is now my happy place.

W: *chortles* Not Sulani?

O: Sulani’s a close second, but Dembele hits differently.

W: Interesting…

O: I said what I said! *both laugh*

W: No argument here. Aww… Look at that cutie over there.

O: He is cute. Of course, ours will be so much cuter!

W: No doubt!

W: So, the chairs and art are shipping—

O: Straight to our storage unit. They should reach DSV just before we do.

W: What in the worlds is that?!

O: Woah… I think that tree ate the others… *Walker snickers* Wanna check it out?

W: *snorts* Hell yeah.

O: That is a tree…

W: Who knew Womping Willows were real?

O: *chuckles* You’ve gotta admit, it’s magnificent.

W: Magnificent? It’s unreal! I wonder if there’s anything on Smoogle about it… Here we go. It’s The Zanbira Tree or the tree of the ancestors. There are multiple legends associated with it.

*giggles* It is said “The Watcher initially planted the tree in the rainforests of the Congo Basin, but the tree complained the dampness made its trunk swell. So, the Watcher moved it to the Mountains of the Moon, but the tree kept grumbling about the humidity. Pissed with the incessant whining, the Watcher tossed the tree into the dry part of Dambele, where it landed upside down with its roots in the air.

O: Huh… I can see that.

Dambele | Zanbira Marketplace

O: We should try to make this at home.

W: *mouth full* I’d rather leave it to the pros. *Obie laughs* There are a few paintings that caught my eye, that I’d like you to look at before we go.

O: Sure. There’s also a pair of chairs I think you’d like.

W: By the basket stall?

O: Yeah. You saw them?

W: Just in passing. But I’d love to take a look.

O: Maybe we should start a travel collection like the Kunals.  

W: Let’s!

W: Ok! New favorite restaurant unlocked!

I: *laughing* I told you!

O: I wonder what’s going on up the hill. I could barely hear you guys during dessert.

R: You read my mind.

Turns out, it was the African Heritage Festival up the hill. Meeting the Kunals that morning made for a very entertaining day. Obie and I would likely have never heard about the restaurant or stumbled upon the festival were it not for our selfie shenanigans that morning.

We arrived just in time to see the artist, Adéṣínà, put on the performance of a lifetime! I am officially a fan! We stayed through her set, took a few pictures to commemorate our new-found friendship and picked up some souvenirs for our family before heading home. After such a diverting day, we were completely spent.

Host: Good afternoon. Do you have a reservation?

I: Kunal…

W: This place is super cute! Who recommended it to you?

I: My cousin. He was a regular when he lived here for work. He gave me a list of places to check out.

W: How convenient!

I: *laughs* We’ll text it to you.

O: Have you gone to many of them?

R: Not really. We’re more of a sit-by-the-hotel-pool kinda couple. But we’ve liked the few that we did see.

O: Are you planning to visit any other attractions before the next leg of your trip?

I: Just Zanbira Market, I think. Raheel wants to add a new piece to our travel collection—

R: Preferably a sculpture for the living room. There’s a blank spot on the tv console, I’m itching to fill.

I: We bought a rundown warehouse about 3 years ago when hearing about the revitalization plans for the docks. It had two vacant one-bedroom apartments above the commercial space. We converted the street level into an artisanal cocktail bar, which opened about a year ago and renovated the apartments into our own place. It’s a great space!

R: I always wanted to start my own business and we were both so over corporate Simerica, that I jumped at the chance!

I: I, however, needed more convincing. It was gonna be a big financial leap and though I was bored of actuarial science, I did love my paycheck. *everyone laughs* But, Rah eventually convinced me.

R: That’s where my background in acquisitions analysis came in handy. With the surge of interest in the area, we couldn’t afford not to. In about five more years, the area will be completely unaffordable.

O: We were actually considering buying out there.

I: Well, I say if you’re serious, do it quickly. There are few major condo complexes going up as we speak and a handful of warehouses that are yet to be razed.

R: You know what? Come by for dinner when we’re back. It might give you a real feel for living in the area.

W: Oh! Wow, that’s so kind. We don’t wanna impose—

I: No imposition at all! We insist.

Dambele Royal Palace

W: Maybe, if you put the tripod on the ground?  

O: The angle would be too weird. This one might work—

???: We can take the picture, if you’d like.

O: Uh, yeah, thanks! Are you also taking the palace tour?

???: We are. I’m Raheel and this is my bride, Iosefina!

I: *shaking head, amused* Really?

R: *fake innocence* What?

*Obie & Walker laugh*

O: Nice to meet a kindred spirit in the wild!

I: *chuckles* You too?

W: He announced our marriage to the airline ticket agent. *everyone laughs* I’m Walker and this is, Obie.

R: Honeymooners? *Walker & Obie nod* Nice!

Tour Guide: GOOD MORNING! EVERYONE HERE FOR THE 11AM GOVERNANCE TOUR PLEASE GATHER AROUND!

O: Where are you visiting from?

I: San Sequoia. Anchorpoint Wharf.

W: Oh! Neighbors! We’re in Del Sol. Mirage Park by Langerak Commons.

R: Wow! Crazy, small world!

The tour seemed to go buy in a flash. The palace was just as over-the-top as you’d imagine a palace to be. Well, the parts that were open to the public. The tour ended in the National Gallery…

R: Well, that was… something.

I: Oh, stop!

W: I enjoyed it. It would have been nice to see the residential quarters, but, I get it.

R: Same. What are you guys doing for the rest of the day?

O: We were going to have lunch and maybe check out Zanbira Market. Haven’t agreed on restaurant yet, though. You?

I: We were going to have a lunch at this cute little restaurant on the beach. It came highly recommended. You’re welcome to join us.

W: That would be lovely. Thank you.

Courtney: Looking good! Alright! Everyone other than the happy couple, please meet Kalista outside of the reception hall in about 10-15 for the procession. Penny? — *Penny nods assent*

One Quick Change Later…

Obie: *soft gasp* Sweet Watcher, and all of her gnomes! How did I get so lucky?

Walker: *giggles* I take it you approve?

Obie: Approve? We’re married now. As far as I’m concerned, we can skip the reception and just go home!

Walker: *chuckles* And miss out on all the festivities we spent months planning? I think not.

Obie: Must you be right all the time?

Walker: Isn’t that why you married me?

Obie: *whispers sincerely* One of the many, many reasons… Come! Let’s get this show on the road! *Walker chortles*