Things that draw me to Isla...

Okay, so when I was planning my Christmas trip to Mexico, I didn't initially think I would go to Isla. Then, when I was finalizing my plans, I did a quick check on Isla hotels and found a great bargain for four out of the ten days I'll be down there. What can I say? I'm an Islaholic. I hear they have a 12-step program for that. But I figure there are worse things I could be addicted to.

So why do I like Isla so much?

Meeting up with old friends...

Haha! I love these guys. In fact, last time I was there, I couldn't say 'no' and bought one of them to take home. I have him sitting on the bookshelf above my computer. My oldest son spent the night at my apartment recently and he had to leave early in the morning before I got up. He used my computer to check his e-mail and saw "Juan" (that's what I call him) on the bookshelf. He left me a note under Juan that said, "Mom, this is creepy and I'm really worried about you." Haha! I think I'll bring home about a dozen of them on my next trip and scatter them around my apartment...then invite Jeffrey over. (But then I might be writing my next blog post from the local psychiatric ward after Jeffrey has me committed.)

So, on to why I like Isla. The shopping...

What you run into off the beaten path...

The eclectic...

The color...

An occasional shot of tequila...

The loncherias...

With their wonderful breakfasts. And after trying my hand at making Huevos Motulenos, I will heavily tip the wonderful ladies who make this dish because it is NOT a quick fix.

The shushing angels in the cemetery...

The friendly natives...

Sidebar: When these kids saw I was taking their picture, the older one ran up to the younger one and put his arms around him. My three boys would definitely NOT have looked as loving for picture-takers at that age. In fact, I would have probably had to drag them from the street and given them all a time-out. Thank God they have gotten past that stage and actually DO hug each other when they get together now.

And the smiles...

The hard workers on the island for such little pay...

And the ability to just sit back and watch the world go by...

Not to mention the beautiful flowers...

And a little bit of humor...

And things that I remember that are no longer there...

The sunsets...

As well as the various views of the beautiful surrounding sea...

And just the every day feel of the island...

Who knows...maybe on my next trip, I'll find something comparable to Isla and will have another home away from home. There's a whole big world out there ready to be explored. But Isla will always be special.