At the end of June (June 23-28), I went to Acapulco, Mexico for a few days to celebrate Laos’ graduation from Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. It has taken me awhile to write this because I was not sure what exactly to write… but here we are.

Laos was gone for 9 weeks and the last few were very difficult on our relationship but I was excited (and nervous) to see him again and celebrate his accomplishments. I made it to Acapulco and to the beautiful resort around 3pm Friday, after missing a connecting flight in Mexico City, and we were happily reunited around 4pm after he got out of a lecture class. Afterward, I joined him and his fellow trainees for their last Bikram class (taught by Bikram)! It was so awesome to be in the room with everyone and I was happy to be doing yoga with my yoga buddy again. Class with Bikram was quite a treat and that is about all I can say there! I had a great class but it was so much more exciting to see everyone’s relief and joy in finishing their last class. Everyone was hugging and celebrating and I consider myself lucky to have been able to be a part of that! I was also excited to finally meet all of his new friends he had spent weeks telling me about.

On Saturday, Laos and everyone graduated. I was so proud of him! I am sure they were all happy to be finished.

We took a long walk on the beach Sunday afternoon and decided to break up. There is a lot to share there but nothing worth re-living. We are both different people in 100 ways; something we already knew but something that was highlighted over and over again during the 9 weeks and especially during the few days I was there. We say the reason is because he wants to travel indefinitely and I do not want to do long-term long distance… but I think deep down we both know that was not the only reason, or even the main reason. No matter the reasons though, it was for the best. We shared a nice moment and I hope one day we can have the friendship we once had before, again. He is a great guy and I wish him the best.

We tried to make the best of the situation and enjoy the rest of the trip hanging out at the pool and beach Sunday and doing the XTASEA zip line on Monday. We drove to Mexico City Tuesday (driving across Mexico was an insane experience) and after realizing it just was not possible to ‘make the best of it’ at that time (too awkward), I flew home 2 days early on Wednesday.

After everything, it was tough saying goodbye to him because no matter what, it is difficult to say goodbye to someone you care about when you don’t know when (or if) you will see them again. We shared another special moment saying goodbye, one that I will always cherish. It was an emotional trip in so many ways but I am glad that I went. It was nice to celebrate his accomplishment with him and to give us an opportunity to see each other again, even if it did not go the way we planned. No regrets.

I would also like to thank my dad and Suzette for watching Elliott while I was away. A big thanks goes to my family and friends for being supportive and there for me while I was struggling during my time in Mexico and even more so when I returned home!

Until next time,

Jillian