Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

July 12, 2011

I am on a trip by myself.

I won’t see Seba for two weeks.

And this post title makes me think of a Jason DeRulo song. Jason DeRuuuulo.

That’s unheard of! I can’t think of a time in the past two years (maybe more) when we’ve been away from each other for any period of time at all. There’s no reason for us to be. We work together, we live together, we travel together.

Except now when I’m headed to Paris, Virginia and Miami without him.

I have to admit that I wasn’t that pumped up for this trip to France/U.S. without him. Don’t get me wrong — of course I can’t wait for the weddings. They’re always the best part of any trip. I love meeting new couples and finding out what makes them tick, and then trying to translate that into photographs. But the travel? The travel in and of itself? Meh.

Please don’t worry. I am simultaneously slapping myself across the face as I type those words.

I’m not a wuss. Doing weddings by myself is good. I think I tend to push myself harder to overcompensate. It’s just sad not to have Seba to laugh with during the day! And I’m definitely not scared of solo travel. I came to Chile when I was 13 years old, for pete’s sake and crying out loud!

But, that’s not to say that it isn’t out of my comfort zone.

I’m not as scared of flying as I used to be. Part of what cured my fear though, was Seba sitting by my side, holding my hand, not even blinking when the plane bounces up and down like a baby in a jumper. “Baby. It’s like a micro in the sky.” Now when the plane bumps I’m sure I’ll be looking at the total stranger next to me thinking, “Really? REALLY? I’m going down with you by my side?”

When we travel, I make our social arrangements and figure out where and when we have to do what for work. And Seba looks up the maps and figures out how to use the subway systems. I’m the one who gathers up the courage to try to ask somebody for directions in a foreign language and then Seba is the one who actually understands and remembers the response afterwards.

I’m the one who works frantically on the computer and then cries when I didn’t have time to see all the tourist sites I wanted to see because, “WHEN WE WILL EVER HAVE THIS CHANCE AGAIN, SEEEEEEEBA?” And Seba is the one who tells me it’s ok to take a day off work and then laughs when I say I think we’ll never have the opportunity to come back. As he reminds me, I cried when we left Europe after visiting for the first time in 2009 because I thought we’d never get to go again — then we went back in 2010 and in 2011 by the time you read this I’ll be on my second trip there this year.

But Seba is a balance for me, when we travel, and always. He takes care of me. No, I don’t need someone to take care of me. But I sure as hell appreciate it. The other night my Kindle was on blinking low battery and I fell asleep reading. When I woke up my Kindle wasn’t in my bed anymore and I thought it had fallen onto the floor while I slept and that I’d probably ruined it. I asked Seba if he’d seen it, and he handed it to me. Fully charged.

When we travel, Seba normally packs. He keeps our equipment organized, charges extra batteries, know where each lens is, what each cable is for, brings along enough external hard drives to be able to back up photos on the road. He packed everything for me this time too. And then emailed me a little list of in which bag I would find what item. Obviously I could go through my suitcase and camera bag and find all the necessary equipment on my own. But he knew that it would take me a lot longer that way, and that all this equipment and technology overwhelms me so he organized it in a Kyle way so it would be easy for me. That way I also have an inventory so I don’t lose anything.

Aside from all the obvious things I enjoy about traveling with Seba — we laugh so hard together, even the crappiest situations end up being fun, we share in so many cool experiences — the little things make me appreciate him so much.

Plus, carrying all our photography equipment by myself is HEAVY AS HELL.

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13 Comments

Awwww!!! This is such a lovely tribute to your right-hand man. It’ll be difficult without him but remember that you ROCK! So you’ll be fine, even though you’ll miss him. At least you are racking up those air miles, Ms. Jetsetter! Have tons of fun and be sure to update!! besos xo

Comment by Oneika — July 12, 2011 @ 9:23 pm

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Aaaawww. Sweet post and remember that absence makes the heart grow even fonder!!

Comment by Rita — July 12, 2011 @ 9:43 pm

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I’m a sap, but i LOVE this post.

Comment by Shannon O — July 12, 2011 @ 10:29 pm

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This is so sweet. It will be really hard, but I like that you understand that while it’s nice to have him take care of you, you’re a strong and independent woman can do it herself (Snap snap).

The real question here, Kyle, is who is going to take the video of you jamming now?

Comment by Deidre — July 12, 2011 @ 10:33 pm

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I sometimes have to travel without my wife… and it sucks. It’s not internationally or anything, but still. Who do I get to crack jokes with and make fun of random strangers on the highway with when my wife isn’t with me?

Where in VA are you traveling to? I swear, sometime in your crazy world travels our paths might be able to cross.

Comment by Dennis Pike — July 13, 2011 @ 4:17 am

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BUuu you’re making me sad We’re in the same situation, working, living & travelling together so the idea of that much time away from Chris makes my stomach turn a little :S In the 4 and half yrs we’re together I we’ve only really been apart for about a week….that was in the first year. I do think it’s good though because you appreciate each other so much more. I hope you have a lovely trip hun!!

Comment by jamie — July 13, 2011 @ 4:52 am

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Thank goodness for Skype, si? What a lovely tribute to your hubby, but before you know it you’ll be back together on the road conquering the world!

Comment by Andi of My Beautiful Adventures — July 13, 2011 @ 5:13 am

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So sweet! Obviously I feel you on this one – even though I’m the one who organizes everything for our travels, so it’s not really harder than traveling with Rodolfo in terms of logistics. It’s still nice to sit next to your husband instead of a stranger, have someone to watch (and carry) your bags and just generally hang out with a guy you sort of like rather than being alone.

Comment by Emily — July 13, 2011 @ 9:07 am

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I know what you mean girl… you expressed exactlty how I would feel if Andre and I were in Seba and your situation. You guys make an awesome team together, both personally and professionally, and although you’re more than capable of making this trip by yourself, you’ll still miss him every step of the way… and so will he !! The way I deal with that is I take a big breath and tell myself “every minute ticking away is a minute less to wait before I see him again”.. xx

Comment by Fned — July 14, 2011 @ 12:12 am

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Aw, go Seba! I feel like that travelling with John a lot. Though sometimes I think I drive him nuts =)

Comment by Andrea — July 14, 2011 @ 12:42 pm

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que tierno este post!! es feo separarse pero a la vez es rico extranarse… como q aprendemos a valorar todas las cosas q no vemos a diario! el seguro tiene una lista larga de todo lo q le gusta que tu hagas x el

Comment by Catalina — July 14, 2011 @ 6:57 pm

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Awww, you’ll be fine, hun. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Remember that.

The question is: How is Seba going to cope at home without you?

Comment by Ceri — July 17, 2011 @ 6:18 am

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Ah, lady. Seba is your “anchor” so to speak and when we sail solo, we miss our anchors. I am sure you will do a phenomenal job, but sometimes it is not about that. Sometimes it is about the backstage giggles with the person we love. I hope you find plenty of people to giggle with while you are on the road alone, and I know that Seba is ready to welcome you home with open arms whenever you come back.

Comment by Roxanne — July 18, 2011 @ 10:52 am

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