Okay, back from Mexico and, just as I suspected, that country still knows how to kick it. Today was my first day back at work and it felt really, really strange to walk around someplace without a plate of garlic shrimp and a Sol. It also felt very strange to speak a sentence to someone and know that it made absolute sense. I have a few set phrases in Spanish (what time is it, where is the bathroom, I'm friends with the President so you may not hurt me), and once I deviate from that list, for all I know, I'm asking people if I can hurl bologna sandwiches at their grandmother. And even if I wanted to hurl bologna sandwiches at someone, if I tried to say it, I'd probably ask for directions to the wig factory. Spanish, you are a slippery diablo!
The entire trip was great. The food was excellent, almost too good. (Playa del Carmen recommendation: Carboncitas.) Yesterday morning, when I began the whole packing process, my stomach let me know just how it felt about the upcoming months of Funyuns and vienna sausages. I spent the rest of the day in transit, trying desperately not to soil myself or use the Skymall catalog as an impromptu vomit bag. Yeah, it was a little uncomfortable and I'm not quite over it, but it was worth it. I didn't expect my stomach to take the booze and grease bath without a little kicking, and the fact that it's complained so vociferously leads me to believe I'm probably not about to die.
Another great thing was the snorkeling expedition we made. Although I typically smell like I haven't been near water in weeks, when I am near an ocean, I turn into a snorkeling fiend. The trip we made this time was excellent. I got to see a sting ray, perhaps a barracuda, and some great, big sea turtles. In fact, I was so close to one of the turtles, I could've slapped him on the butt, or at least the shell covering the butt. It occurs to me now that I should've. Just imagine going into work after a long holiday with a huge chunk of your head missing. "Were you in a car accident?" they'd ask. "This thing? No, this is from a giant sea turtle attack in the Atlantic. If you think this is bad, you oughta see him."
What else did I do on the trip? I went to see some Mayan ruins, read several books (including How To Desecrate Mayan Ruins), and spent a lot of time with the family. There was some alcohol involved, yes. I don't feel I need to elaborate on my feelings for Mexican beverages here, but I will say that I found another delightful one called, no kidding, donkey semen. Was it actual donkey semen? I'm at least 60% sure it was not. If it was, well, then that stuff has gotten a bad wrap. Not to point any fingers, but after a shot of that, a certain family member of mine declared with gusto, "Whoowee, I think I like that donkey semen!"
Pictures and such to follow, assuming the DS didn't rob me of my ability to work a digital camera. Vaya con dios, amigos!
Posted by Cody at June 29, 2006 5:48 PM