We had a lot of fun together and I don't think Ryan got too sick of being with me 24/7. :) We tried to balance between seeing the sights and having adventures (our first trip to Mexico!) and just relaxing and recharging. I think we had enough time to do both things and we didn't get homesick until the end. There were a lot of things that we saw that made me think "I wish the girls were here with us!" But a lot of the time I was grateful that it was just the two of us. I just realize how hard it is to travel with kids and how it usually isn't a "real" vacation for the parents!
We were lucky that my family was willing and able to look after the girls for us while we were gone. It took two van-loads to get everything out to Wetaskiwin (Claire's equipment sure is bulky!) and they even loaded it all back to our house and had everything back to normal on Sunday when we got home! It was such a blessing to have the girls where I knew they would be loved and kept safe. Madeline now says Mamma & Poppa & Uncle & Auntie and often asks for them!
My family has always had an affinity for signs - welcome home signs, graduation signs, happy birthday signs. No family affair would be complete without signs. It has always made me feel loved!
The guitar was a big hit with both girls
Madeline is figuring out how to use the flute - right now it's mostly a spit tube but every once and awhile she gets a note out
Here is Claire testing out the "shakers" we bought for herWe also had some great friends look after our building (thanks Jeff & Eva) and siblings who also kept a watch on things (thanks Greg & Steph and Steph and Mel).
I've made a couple of albums on Facebook with pictures and explanations of things so I won't write too much here. If you want to see the pictures, here are the links:
Mexico Album 1
Mexico Album 2
Experiences in Mexico:
- That a "loose woman" in Spanish is called mamacita
- That going topless on the beach is a European thing
- That smoking is also a European thing (we probably smoked about a pack each in second hand smoke!)
- That a LOT of European people travel to Mexico (at least this time of year)
- That street shop bargaining is kind of fun
- That tipping is an art
- That what people read on the beach can tell you a lot about their personalities
- That you CAN get a sunburn on your earlobes
- That Mexican TV is hilarious
- That the Quebec French accent is quite horrific (Ryan's sentiment)
- That Ryan is a pool shark
- That highways in Mexico have huge speed bumps and no real lane divisions
- That snorkeling is super fun but then you have "suction cup face" afterwards
- That the stress and fatigue from the day of traveling home almost erases all the relaxing done on the beach!
Cool things we saw:
- 2 different rays, a lobster, HUGE dark purple sea urchins, tiny red sea urchins, little swordfish, tons of bright coloured tropical fish (while snorkeling)
- A wedding on the beach at sunset - we were out in the water at the time and watched the bride walk down the aisle. Very romantic
- Beautiful sunsets
- The most hilarious night show ever where these Mexican kids danced to songs from Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Evita whilst lip synching
- Fun towel designs on our bed everyday
- Banana, coconut, aloe vera and chile pepper trees/plants
- The "bidet" statue/fountain (see Mexico Album 2 for pictures)
- Tons of huge lizards everywhere
- Vultures circling overhead as we walked through the jungle (not a very encouraging sight
2 comments:
Wow I'm wearing a new shade of green around here. It's called ENVY! Sounds like a great trip. Good for you guys!
WOW, awesome trip I so am jelous too...WOW!
Post a Comment