I be in Mexico...

Well, here I am in Playa del Carmen. I was a little nervous about my layover in the Mexico City airport, but it went pretty smoothly. The trick is to keep your eyes and ears open for other passengers who are connecting to the same flight so that you can just follow them. It was quite a trek from the gate where I landed to my flight to Cancun, but I made it with a few minutes to spare. So there were no problems…other than the downpour that was happening when we landed in Cancun. The skies were dark gray and it didn’t look like it was going to stop anytime soon.

Because of the rain, I was glad that I had arranged for a Best Day shuttle to Playa del Carmen. There was another couple in the van who were on their honeymoon and we dropped them off at one of the many posh resorts between Cancun and Playa. Every time I’ve gotten the Best Day shuttle, it’s been in a different location at the airport. Even so, they always have the same efficient administrative record keeping system in each location which is always good to know. At least this one didn’t have the pile of papers perched precariously on the edge of a trash can.

I’m staying at the Luna Blue hotel which is very close to all the action downtown.

My room is very nice, clean and comfortable. The bed is soft and the water is hot (although you have to wait a little while for it).

And from the other side of the room…

The small bathroom…

With the even smaller shower…

Here’s my little patio…

I kind of feel like I’m living in a tree house…these are the SECOND set of steps I have to go up to get to my room. (I hang on to the railing very tightly.)

Here’s a little quote above the bathroom door…

A view of the hotel grounds…

And the little bar…

This is the view from my patio. The landscaping is VERY lush which makes all the patio areas very private.

When I got to my room at about 6:30 p.m., I was standing on my patio and I heard someone say, “Greetings from the other side of the tree house!” I waited for a few seconds, and said, “Are you talking to me?” because I couldn’t see anyone anywhere. The response was, “Of course! Who else would be I talking to up here?” Long story short, there were a few friendly Canadians staying there and they invited me over for a cerveza…which turned out to be about 3 cervezas, a few glasses of wine with some shots of tequila. Those crazy Canucks!!

This is Canuck Bernadette and a friend…

I don’t remember the names of this group but they were a hoot…

And here’s me and Canuck Tom. (It’s a horrible picture of me, but after a day of traveling, the cervezas, wine, tequila, and walking in the rain…well, you know what I mean.)

I was so looking forward to some good food, but it poured pretty much all evening, so we went to eat at a little place right across the street…then wished we hadn’t. It was terrible. Oh, well…it was a fun evening.I’m writing this the day after I got there and have done some exploring. It is VERY different from Isla, to say the least. It is very American and Europeanized which doesn’t appeal to me very much. I know I should give it a chance, but so far, I haven’t seen any of the old Mexico charm that I love so much. On Wednesday, I plan to head to Chichen Itza and Valladolid and might end up staying there a night or two because I think it’s going to offer more photo ops that I haven't seen so far in Playa.

More to come!

Three days till Mexico...

So, I got my suitcase out last week to start packing for my trip. What's that in the corner?? Sand from Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres?? Should I get my vacuum cleaner? I think not. Just another little natural souvenir and reminder.

Only three more days to go. I've decided to just play it by ear and do whatever I feel like doing when I'm down there. While I definitely want to get to certain areas, I'm not going to shoot myself if I don't get to all of them...because there's always next time. One thing I've learned about Mexico is that you just go with the flow. My saying this past week has been, "This time next week, I'll have my toes in the sand and a Dos Equis in my hand." I think that could make a good country-western song. I'll call Alan Jackson to see if he's interested.

On another note, I have found another place to live. I've mentioned that I'm not happy about apartment living, so I just happened to check the newspaper and found an ad for a house. I called the number and went to check it out. Oh, my God...it was THE perfect place. A brand new house that isn't even finished yet for only $5 more per month than I'm paying now. No downstairs or upstairs neighbors. It has FOUR bedrooms and although they're small, it's FOUR bedrooms!! Tile floors throughout with an upstairs rec room with wood floors. Ceiling fans in every room, a kitchen with two breakfast bars, and a laundry room. After I looked at it, the landlord called me the next day and said she really wanted me to take it. Jared and I went to look at a few other places that day and decided it was the place for us.

You know what sold me on the place?? IT HAS A MEXICAN SINK IN THE BATHROOM!!! This is just a picture off the internet, but it's similar to what I'll have. OMG, I have died and gone to heaven.

My lease expires the end of January, so I will be moving in starting the middle of the month. I am SOOOO excited to get out of apartment living and having some private space.

I'll be posting more on that when it happens.

Life is good. See you in Mexico...

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.

Guess what I got today!!

I went by my bank today to put in an order for some pesos before my trip in a few weeks...which I had thought would take a couple weeks to get. When I asked how long it would be, she said, "Oh, we have them here now." Yay! I only got $100 worth...which came out to $1,180 in pesos...and no fees. Last time I left for Mexico, I didn't have any pesos and I didn't like having to search around for an ATM machine when I got there to get some. Now I'll have incidental money for whatever comes along when I get there...which I fold up in my colorful little Mexican coin purses. Then, when I'm settled, I'll make the dash to the ATM machine.

The trip is all arranged and paid for. First stop...Playa del Carmen which I will use as a home base for traveling to Chichen Itza and Tulum. But I am mostly looking forward to Valladolid. (Not my picture.) I think I will really love the charm of a colonial city.

Then a few days on Isla...

Only 20 more days and counting...