Bienvenido Mexico Part 2

After our first day of settling in we hung out at the pool a lot. Charlie and I went swimming in the ocean too. I must have been having fun since I didn't stop to think about re-applying my sun block. Maybe I should have kept a shirt on like Charlie did - or stay out of the sun! (Impossible)

The resort had activities all day at the pool to keep people entertained. Sue and I had fun with Zumba in the water and of course when you've had a margarita or two you think you've got your groove on. I'm pretty sure I didn't and am glad my body was hidden in the pool. A lot of people think you gain weight on vacation but I think I lost weight with all the activity. It was good for me.

We went shopping on main street where the people there are always anxious to get a sale. I almost believed them the first time they insisted they were my waiter from the hotel the night before. After Bob informed us why they used this tactic, Charlie and I figured out a way to hide our resort wristbands. It was fun to look at all the colorful items they hand make and see everything in spanish language. I told Savannah she needed to be there to help us translate. I think by now however, I've forgotten everything I learned.

We charted a fishing boat and when we got out into the ocean I couldn't believe the velvety blue color of the water! I cannot even describe it! I have never seen that color before. I tried to take a picture but there is no justice compared to seeing it in person. There were so many colors of blue that you never knew existed! After reeling in a barracuda and mahi mahi I got sick and wanted to die. I know I am prone to motion sickness and yet I didn't yield to it. But even so this was by far the best experience from our trip. When we were disembarking the boat, our captain was already filleting the fish for us. We promptly took to filets the restaurant where we made arrangements with the chef there to prepare for our lunch. By this time I was feeling much better and we chilled out at the bar just talking about it. In fact we are still talking about it. And how that fish tasted!? I have never tasted such delicious fresh fish. We couldn't stop eating it!

Later in the week we took a really nice ferry to Cozumel where we ate lunch and were accompanied by pigeons and mariachis. I requested the song La Bamba for our table and in that moment I just really missed my dad. Oh I had already a lot of moments like this during our trip, and maybe it was because the mariachis were older men, but I was reminded once again of how I'd give anything to have told him about it or to have visited Mexico with him at least once before he passed.

We didn't last long shopping in Cozumel - it was pretty much what we already experienced and it was mighty hot that day so we headed back to the ferry and then a long hot walk to our room. I've never appreciated air conditioning as much as I had that day! In fact I surprised myself to think how normally I am a sun person and how I have been all my life but that by this time I was tired of it! Coming from the Texas summer hadn't helped either.

It was great at night to have such vast and wonderful dining experiences in all the restaurants we had to choose from. The food was exquisite at Chef's Plate I have to say and was quite memorable. We also had a Mexican buffet meal out in the garden. You know me I can never get enough Mexican food. Charlie and I got quite used to not having to wait for the check and were spoiled by it I must say.

Before we left we went to main street one last time for shopping and I wanted a fish foot spa and it felt so good! I cannot believe how tingly those little guys make you feel and how regenerated your feet are afterward! I managed to find all I was looking for in souvenirs to take back as treasures. I enjoy gift giving and searching for things that I like to give.

Our last day we went swimming and it rained good and hard - of course it felt wonderful in or out of the pool and it was a lot of fun just to be in it! I'd never been in a "tropical" storm before. It was quite invigorating.

I admit that we didn't have the inclination to go on a lot of excursions as most people do, but I feel like our first trip to Mexico was quite memorable and it was enjoyable to be able to soak it all in so that when we go again we will know what we might want to add to our experience.

Here are the last of my favorite pics to tell the story! Hasta La Vista Mexico! - until next time.

Drinks before dinner

View from main street

Another view from main street

Into the deep blue ocean

Reeling it in!

Mahi Mahi and Barracuda aka lunch

  

Mahi Mahi and Baracuda aka Prepared Lunch

Fish Spa

Ferry to Cozumel

Heading out

Lunch friend in Cozumel

Mexican garden party

Mmmm. Aren't you jealous?

Escargot!

View of the night

Bienvenido Mexico! Part 1

Last month we ventured out with Bob and Sue to an all-inclusive resort at Hilta Playa del Carmen (formerly owned by Real Club) – it was an adventure from day one being that I booked our hotel near the wrong airport! I had forgotten there were two in Houston as I had bought our airfare 7 months ago, and luckily we found out before we tried checking into the wrong one!

It is kind of funny now but in the moment we were there it was no way you wanted to start your vacation. So a long taxi ride to the CORRECT airport later and we were all safe and sound waiting to board our plane. All’s well that ends well, right?

When we arrived to Cancun we met up with Bob and Sue and were greeted by our transportation driver. He immediately gave us cold towels to cool off (even though we hadn’t been out of the building for more than a minute) and took our luggage and helped us in the vehicle. There he offered cold water (in a glass bottle), Mexican candies, and cold beer.

The drive to our hotel was hardly relaxing as I think the driver was attempting to make it be. I say this because there were palm trees everywhere, signs in Spanish, and street signs that had warnings of puma cat crossings! I only wish I had a picture of it all, especially the street sign that had my maiden name on it, “Carrillo” – I wish I could remember what it was.

When we arrived to the hotel we were greeted by the staff there who again gave us cold wet towels – again we were not hot from our luxury transportation, so naturally I was confused what all the hubbub was about. They offered to get us a drink (anything we wanted) right off the bat. I, feeling overwhelmed, did not think of anything I wanted. Sue looked at me like I was strange not to take them up on their offer. Again, I was just taking it all in where she on the other hand already experienced this.

In this same moment we approached the hotel, I noticed it smelled of cinnamon, and later I found out they had a scent machine in the entrance. I am just glad it was one of my favorite scents or I may not have been so fond of it or remember it as a good memory. 

The entrance was grand – like the scene of the palace in Aladdin. It had marble everywhere; on the floor and in large pillars. Next you notice a large lobby very open and sort of like a ballroom…I liked how Charlie put it when he pulled me over to see it and said, “I went to the lobby looking to see if they have an aquarium, and I found one!” He, pointed to the ocean, we then chuckled as it was rather amusing to both of us.

We checked in and went to our room and right away plopped on the bed to relieve ourselves from being confined by the traveling woes. There was a bottle of champagne on the table, cold beverages in the fridge, and our room had an ocean view.

After refreshing ourselves and unpacking, Bob took us on a tour of the resort so we were familiarized with where we would be living in the next week. We stopped for a drink or two at one of the many bars (we were not used to not having to pay when we were done) and then headed back to our rooms to get ready for dinner. 

We ate at an outdoor ocean side restaurant called Pelicano's - the experience that night for me was much more indulgent than the food. Perhaps I chose the wrong dish, but either way it was such a new experience I just soaked it all in. Oh and they had cats who lived nearby that would come out for dinner scraps. Truth be told that the sign said not to feed them but you know everyone did. 

After dinner we headed to the main lobby where they have entertainment each night. That night it was karaoke night and if you know my husband he was the first one out there - with a lot of coaxing and cheering from me of course. There were a lot of Mexican songs and I this is when I began to start to realize how much we were the minority of white Americans the longer we stayed. 

More to come...here are pictures that tell the story.

View inside of main lobby - this is not a window!

View from our balcony

Fountain below our room

 

Hot tub in room and balcony

King sized!

Kitty at Pelicano's Restaurant

Karaoke King

Going to Utah

Summer has been long and hot. I am actually getting tired of the sun believe it or not. BUT it is also the season of making new memories with traveling and spending time with loved ones.

Savannah and I visited my family in Utah for a family reunion. I don't remember the last time I was with all my siblings at once. Jake, Sasha, and Patti came too. I haven't seen them in a year since we moved from Wisconsin. We went to my granddaughter Harmony's birthday party and it took her awhile before she realized I was related to her as a form of grandma. She really had a lot of fun getting to know Auntie Savannah though.

My mom took us to Chubby's where they had pastrami burgers and beer battered fries (surprising since this is Utah) and you guessed it, FRY SAUCE. Oh how I missed this! It was a fun little place and they had it decorated cute. It was fun to visit with her and go shopping together.

My sister Tina and her husband Kipp hosted the reunion at a cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I loved the smells and the familiar summer air that the mountains bring. Sights of snow caps on the top still trickling with water as they melt. Creeks with glass clear water that had small fish swimming in them were in just about every corner of the landscape.

The mountains were such a sight for sore eyes. The last time I visited Utah I didn't at all feel homesick to return, but this past year I have been feeling it. I think it is more to be near my family than anything. That and just to go on a Sunday drive up the mountains or through Park City. I really miss re-experiencing some of my childhood. Perhaps my feelings of homesickness is that in Texas there really isn't any where you can drive to for sightseeing in an afternoon on a Sunday like you can in Wisconsin and Utah.

During the day we visited and had a BBQ - we reminisced about Dad and our memories. Got to know the younger generations better and see how they've grown. And we got A LOT lot of group pictures - some candid, some not. There were 30+ people at once so you can imagine how that went...like herding kittens! After others that had traveled left for the night we played a Telestrations game (similar to pictionary and telephone but mixed together) and Apples to Apples and laughed so hard we were turning red.

It was like old times being with Jennifer - after all we shared a bedroom together for several years growing up. She had rented a cabin nearby and we sat by the fire then watched The Others. Being with her and her family was nice, I don't get to see them nearly enough.

I spent extra time with my sister, Monica, just hanging out and being with each other. We had fun playing in the water with her granddaughter and visited Logan where we ate at the 1914 Bluebird Restaurant that had an old fashioned soda called Ironport. We went in an antique store and saw a lot of things from our childhood like the Sears Wish Book catalog we'd spend hours as kids wishing about Christmas. (Does this mean we are officially old?) Then we went to the movies to see The Lion King. We had planned to get ice cream at Aggies Ice Cream on the Utah State University campus but we were already so full that day from lunch that when we ordered what we thought was a regular sized ice cream cone you can imagine our eyes when we found out our "regular" sized cone was so humongous! We were soooo stuffed!

My brothers haven't changed much other than a little less hair (he he). They are still funny and I love their personalities. Marty, who is just a couple years older than me, I haven't seen for at least 10 years. I really like it when we are all together. It brings back a lot from my childhood with feelings of completeness. I only wish Charlie could have came too. 

Until next time. I really could have spent another week there and if I had maybe I'd not come back LOL! Here are some of my favorite photos...

Harmony Love

Piggy backs!

Me and Jennifer

 

Top Left to Right: John, Marty, Monica, Matt, Tina

Bottom Left to Right: Me, Mom, Jennifer

Group photo

See this water! 

 

Ha ha! this one is hilarious! Monica is the only one that got it right!

Love the tall trees. And the sky. And the jet stream. And the moon. And the blue. And the green. One tree looks like it has aged. Kind of like a family photo, right? 

Rocky landscapes fill your eyes with wonder, don't they?

Outside of the Bluebird Cafe "since 1914" the sign says

Inside the Bluebird Cafe where they had the soda fountains.

  

Me, Savannah, and Monica being super silly!

Life in Texas Continues...

Well half the year is past already. We've been here a year come next week. I don't have much to say other than I enjoying my job (minus lack of parking space), Savannah has finished her Freshman year with outstanding grades and Staar testing scores, and Charlie changed jobs (this still under construction...to be continued). Having some family time here and there has been good too - especially when there are more the merrier. Growing up with a household of 7 kids, I thoroughly enjoy it.

Texas doesn't feel like home yet though. Will it ever? I felt so at home in WI so why is this so different? I am still trying to find the beauty in living here - there is a lot of traffic and people which equals a lot of rubbish and pavement. What I like most here is the amount of sunshine. My being NEEDS sunshine. Always has. I don't like big cities yet here I am. But in the beauty I do find I try to relish in it. Here are some memories of the year so far.

Savannah turned 15. I know. Already? 

At the diner, waiting on breakfast with the "Grands"

We took a tour on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad  as something new to try. I don't believe we will do it again however. We sat in the train a good while waiting for other trains who had priority above the tourist train. Kind of felt like the usual 5:00 traffic. It took us a lot longer to get into Fort Worth than it should have, but it was an adventure for all of us. 

Me - sitting on a bull at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Unfortunately we came to the stockyards by way of the aforementioned train so we missed the daily schedule of the cattle drive. We stopped for a cold brew at the Cattlemen's Steakhouse where Charlie and I had "calf fries" (I won't tell you what these are) - and the atmosphere reminded me of what a saloon would be like. It was a lot of fun but I want to go back and spend more time so I can see the armadillo races and visit all the shops. Note to self - next time we bring our own transportation. 

We found out that Garfield has hyperthyroidism. He has to take medication twice a day forever. He is feeling better now.

We re-stained our deck. Look how pretty it is when the rain comes. 

Savannah all ready for the 9th Grade Banquet Dance - isn't she lovely?

Goodbye 2018

Soooo...Thanksgiving and Christmas were very different for us this year. We spent the holidays with much more family than we have in a long time.

Thanksgiving was so warm and the fall here lasts a long time so it really felt nice. We were invited to dinner at Valerie's (Brittany's mom) house in Eagle Mountain. Funny how you find the same names of cities in new states when you move. We even joked about possibly moving there just for old time's sake. Their house is right on a lake and it was just lovely. It was great to get to know them.

Next day I spent shopping with Sue (Charlie's mom) for Black Friday (not early of course!) and really had a good time. In preparation for Christmas Savannah and I baked a few dozen Christmas cookies and though there wasn't any snow it really helped to bring in the holiday spirit. It was fun to see the two together making memories.

My mom flew out to spend Christmas with us from Utah. We always have an open door for her so it really feels like she is here more often than not (being that she just visited in September). Again no snow but the drive we took to see lights on Christmas eve and the carol singing in the car was so fun and I'll never forget it.

Christmas day was so warm not just the weather but the family getting together at Sue's for dinner and gift exchanging.

For me it has always been emotionally hard to say good bye to all the gatherings when they are over but plans are in the mix for new ones to come. So now that my blues have passed I will look forward to what 2019 has to bring.