Ahhh, Mexico!

Having grown up in Southern California, and being part Mexican myself, there is an inherent understanding, acceptance, and even appreciation for what is Mexico. I do not always think of going there, but at home now in Chicago, I am always on the hunt for quality Baja style, cuisine. Missy wanted to go on a warm winter break trip, and Babes announces, "all the Russians are going to Cancun". So the planning began.

First discovery, "All the Russians" are going to all inclusive Cancun resorts. WTF? They are not going to Mexico, they are going to Americanized encampments on Mexican land, and hanging with almost exclusively Russian groups. That was not going to be my mission as well, we are going to Mexico.

After a few weeks of research, I decided that we are going to Playa del Carmen, and renting a condo, and a big condo, on the beach, and with a separate bedroom and bathroom for Missy and this newish boyfriend of hers. That is what we did, and I could not have been happier with a vacation, and in Mexico, ok maybe a little happier.

Night one, condo is nice, on the beach, right off of the famous 5th Street, in Playa del Carmen. We walk back and forth a little, find a great little local restaurant for first of many tacos and cervezas of the week. We find the Walmart where all the action in town really is, and buy our breakfast provisions and of course cervezas and tequila.

Late night early morning 1: There is no water in the complex. Oh boy. They had shut down the water the previous day for maintenance, but it was supposed to be back on that afternoon. Well, regardless, Sunday morning, my crew is gonna get up and find there is no water. Luckily, we have bottled drinking water in the condo, an ocean and pool to swim in, but the toilets, oh the toilets, now that will be the problem.

Sunday morning, the questions are rapid fire; when can we shower, when can we use the toilets, can we pee, and not flush, what if we need to do more, how long will the water be off, when do we start looking for another place to stay, can we get some refund ?? All, before 10AM. This is Mexico,  you all.

The day goes well, the water comes on, more tacos, more beer, late night drinking for "the kids", and Babes is still looking for some refund for that water incident, then it happens, NO WATER, again! Same panic, same pooo problems, and Babes, wants to move or get a bigger refund. We find out what the real problem is, the city is putting in a bigger pipe to the new condos in Playacar, and shutting off the water in our whole part of town. Our complex is bringing in water trucks, as is the whole town. Now THIS is Mexico.

When we landed in Cancun, we were greeted by an army of tourism sales people wanting to actually get us to sit in on a vacation club/time share sales session. We were saying NO, when the offers of freebies came up, then Babes said YES, to 90 minute presentation, free taxis, free lunch for all, and discounted Chichen Itza tour tickets. The session was 2 hours, and moderately high pressure, the lunch was good, and they delivered all which was promised, Babes looked sad that we where not staying at the fancy Hard Rock all inclusive this was all taking place in.... I was relieved. It was not Mexico.

We take a trip to Chichen Itza or is that Chicken Pizza, but it was a must see, once, to check it off. The crowd is large, and there is almost as many vendors as there was tourists, but I love historical places. We bought some overpriced items at the lunch depot, and we had some tasty buffet tourist lunch, BUT, the Aztec king/god Montezuma had his revenge over me for visiting the Mayan temple. Thank the gods the water issues where over, and thank the other gods for Imodium. Yep we were in Mexico!

We took a day trip to Cozumel. I was almost on the boat, and a guy talks me into renting a jeep on the island before we go over, he gave us a discount rate of $70. I thought, maybe I could get a better price before I got there, but he convinced me no. We get off the ferry, and the next guy offers me a jeep for $50, yep Mexico. Then it starts to really rain. I asked Babes and the kids, do we blow off the jeep ride, or take the adventure in the rain. BTW, the jeep roof is only partially covered, and you guys are going to get wet. We went jeeping, in the rain. Well, Cozumel floods, two feet of water in the city streets, but we have a jeep so no problemo. The rain is not so bad, but I am not sitting in the back seat. We drive around the coast, and all of the sudden the sun comes out and we find a beach bar. Cervezas and fish tacos in the sun on the sand. Perfect.

We get back into the jeep and the rain starts up again with a vengeance, and all the back to the port. Back the boat and it is 6:30PM, I look at the water and there are 6 foot waves, now this trip back to Playa del Carmen is gonna be fun. 2/3s of the way home, Babes is moving to be back of the boat, and looking pale. Then it happens, Missy's head goes into the bag, two beers and 3 fish tacos back up, then we land. It was a long day, for sure. Yeah, we are in the tropics and we are in Mexico!

Day of sunning and a few hours of snorkeling, that was all good. Many great tacos and some other great non-taco meals. Even a not so great meal was not that bad. Plenty of cervezas and a few pina coladas, this could be one of the perfect sun destinations to get to from Chicago, Playa del Carmen. I am not sure that it steals my heart from Hawaii, but it comes damn close. Even the ride back to the airport was pleasant, we had a couple of extra hours because of a typical United delay, and the driver gave us a tour through Cancun, which made me glad I stayed in Playa del Carmen. Cancun could have very well just been Florida, but Playa del Carmen, that is Mexco.

I would love to return to the scene of this crime, with no kids, or their semi-boyfriends or annoying girlfriends. No friends at all, just Babes and me. Same condo, same Playa del Carmen, same Mexico, and no bueno to the all inclusives, Babes, that is not Mexico!