Adventures in Cozumel, Mexico

OR, how I was cursed by an ancient Mayan village…

Mayan War Paint

We have all heard about how you shouldn’t drink the water. So, of course, I didn’t. But nobody tells you about how the war paint & watercolors, which contain local water. That may have been how I contracted dysentery. Or not.

Regardless, ignorance was bliss, and we enjoyed our excursion to the Mayan Village very much. It was the last stop on our cruise before the two days at sea to reach Fort Lauderdale. We took an hour bus ride to the Village. Instead of a tour guide, we were escorted to the different areas of the village by the local Mayan people.

The village was not very large, but the different tents and huts hosted activities. The first hut was a large area with tables. We were seated in the chairs around the tables. Natural items were sitting on top of the table. It turned out that we were in the music hut, and those items (rocks, pieces of wood, etc.) were our instruments. We were taught how to play them, and we accompanied the band.

Photo Op with the Mayan Dancers.
Hubby is enjoying the women dancers.

I hoped we would learn some dance moves, but there wasn’t enough time. We needed to move on to the art room. There, we painted on a version of papyrus. We must not have pleased the art God because a deluge of rain hit us and washed our paintings away!

The Path of Skulls. These skulls are protecting the garden
Both sides of the path were decorated with skulls. So spooky that I photographed the same side twice.

The four of us travelers all got this awful cold/sinus infection during the last half of the trip. It hit me very hard the afternoon of the trip to Cozumel. I knew my sinuses were infected, but this was no ordinary infection. For one thing, the thought of eating turned my stomach. I spent the last days at sea in bed, in our cabin, instead of sunning by the pool. I would have been heartbroken if I weren’t semi-conscious.

I should have gotten a clue or spotted a red flag when everyone else could function and use their brain. They could play cards, eat meals, and communicate. I could not use my brain correctly. I struggled to answer questions – even yes or no questions. I sensed that hubby was getting annoyed with my lack of participation, especially the last night when we had to put our suitcases out in the hall by 9pm, so we would not have to lug them to the airport. I should have asked him to pack up for me, but alas, no brain.

I will spare you what happened at the airport. I don’t care how curious you are. There are just some details you can’t unknow.

We have had enough adventures for now. Time to stock up for the winter and organize things around the house.

TTFN

This Was NOT in the Brochure!

Live from Cancun, Mexico..

Exclusive footage from the Sun Palace…

Each day is more of the same, except stronger wind and harder rain. Apparently, this is the “adventure” part of our trip. We always experience something special when we travel.

Each morning hotel staff is on the beach putting up the red flags that mean “Danger – no swimming”. Like you could ‘swim’ in those big shore pounding waves. People will still try to wave jump or swim anyway, but the ocean wins.

No one will be coming home with a tan.

Two out of four restaurants closed because they have outdoor seating. The one we really wanted to go to on our anniversary is one of them.

No moonlit anniversary dinner, walks (or sex) on the beach. We know there is a full moon up there, but you can’t see it.

We have an HD TV in our suite, but it speaks Spanish.

Our light switches all work, however, they do not correspond with the location of the light. We have made this a game. Our home has the same kind of lighting.

The smallest can they make of Red Bull costs $5.oo. Unfortunately, it is the only sugar-free soda that isn’t Coke or Pepsi. The 8 ounce can will not even spoil a nap.

Tonight the entertainment is Karaoke. It could be fun to watch. Or not.

The jacuzzi in our suite is huge. We are afraid to use it because the air is already so damp.

Every morning at 6:30am the suite next door gets room service and they move furniture for 10-minutes. Sometimes they move furniture between 10:00pm and midnight. There is a gym around the corner we wish they would use instead.

Sometimes we hear toddlers stomping up and down the hallway. Then we remember there is no one here under 19. We are still trying to figure out what is making that noise.

Regardless, I doubt we have anybody’s sympathy back home.

We are making the most of it. At least the air is fresh and not smoky.

The air is heavy, damp, and warm here. Or there is something in the bottled water that makes you drowsy.  Yesterday, we took three naps. Today one for me and two for hubby (so far).

We have met some nice people from the UK and Canada.

Plenty of lounges to relax in. Sometimes we read. Sometimes I write while hubby naps or drinks margaritas.

The staff treats us like royalty.

I have not had to cook for four days. Or clean. 🙂

We are learning Spanish. When I’m asked for our room number I say “doscientas catorce”, like I’m bilingual or something. The locals, of course are on to me, but seem pleased that I’m trying. Or they are laughing at me. How would you tell the difference?

¡Hasta la vista!  Baby.

Adiós, mis amigos. Por favor, no yo odies!

Today (yes, I know it’s Friday the 13th, but don’t worry because those are good days for me), hubby and I will get on a Delta Airlines “red-eye” flight and get our 2nd honeymoon underway in Mexico.

This week I have battled anxiety. The level of intensity is more than the usual pre-travel jitters I always get. Way more. In fact, the last two days I spent trying to relax and meditate, but to no avail. Today I feel sick to my stomach.

I know these feelings are a combination of a decrease in medication, hormone issues and having to drive at night. If I learned anything from therapy, it was how to analyze myself. My head knows what’s going on. Why doesn’t it explain it to my stomach?

Sigh. I will need a vacation by the time we get there.

Whining But complaining about my state of mind is not why we are here – but thank you for listening 😉

Instead of a dreary week of re-reading my archives, I have a few guest posts scheduled for your reading enjoyment. Published while I lay on the pristine white sand, or float in the warm surf off the Mexican coast.

See how I take care of y’all?  Maybe I’ll even send you a postcard  🙂

BTW – Translation of Title: Farewell my Friends. Please don’t hate me.