En MEXICO

Trip No. 2 of April 2019, Mexico! A perfect way to spend the majority of April vacation and have enough time to hurry up with school assignments (sorry for ruining the moment). Literally a week ago, I was in the airport on the way to North Carolina professing my love of ethics and I've never been so blessed with the experience of returning to the airport a week later, sarcasm intended. I really desired a proper break, one that diverted my mind from all things school. Ironically I still read Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on the plane, being one hundred or so pages behind. I also used a Starbucks napkin to write out all the words I knew in Spanish, just to pass time and because I love the language. I didn't really utilize my Spanish skills as much as I wanted to on the trip, mostly because of the fear of sounding unauthentic (who knew that was a word?). And because I wanted to relax and be voluntarily lazy. But I did eavesdrop on people talking in Spanish. Guilty.

I came across a lot of people who asked me if I spoke Spanish and I only answered with the most awkward and profound tone. This has actually happened before. I'm flattered that so many people think I could maybe speak Spanish, since apparently I look like I could be Guyanese, according to a guy from the Dominican Republic (a story for another time). So many random things come up in conversations!

My mother planned a trip on a resort called the Moon Palace and I must say the inside of the palace smelled like the name. I can't explain any further. I remember hearing the resort was founded by a local Mexican and by founding the palace, he provided work for many people in Mexico. The staff was of course very nice. One staff member taught me how to say, "I can speak a little bit of Spanish."There was also the luxury of not having to pay for things while at the resort. It makes you feel like you're getting everything for free. All inclusive perks! I probably won't have this luxury ever again. Just walking into the doors, the staff welcomed us with flowers and hot towels. Yeee! And being next to the ocean, my family and I walked through the breezy resort every night. When we got to our room, our room with a jacuzzi sitting smack-dab in the middle, my sister and I would put on a literal dance show for my mom (mostly Beauty and the Beast music, I know tmi) or we'd sing to Indian music.

The resort had many multicultural restaurants; from Mexican, to Brazilian, to an Asian restaurant called Momo. We spent one night at a Mexican restaurant, a lot of nights and afternoons at the buffet (because who doesn't?) and two nights at Momo.

The buffets even were so intricate with the cutest little dessert dishes. The one time I wish I wasn't vegan....... I take that back. There were still a lot of choices for my sister and I. The resort also had shows put on every night. Our first night was certainly memorable; it was a Michael Jackson show! I had no idea people rehearse religiously to impersonate celebrities. I'd say the MJ impersonator did a fair job. But I don't understand how someone sounds exactly like him and moves the way he does. Lest we forget, the ensemble performers also did terrific jobs. Another night, there was an 80's show. Who would've expected that?!

On the resort, there were large pools that surprise, surprise, we swam in. My sister looked like a mermaid. I felt cool because this trip was the first time I wore a real two piece swimsuit. Yeah! There was also a poolside bar where I drank a little too much Sprite, but vacations are for eating and drinking guiltlessly. That's what a justification looks like. I don't mean to get so specific, but the tiles that lined the pool made being underwater feel like being in an underwater kingdom. And the waterslide, while not scary, I kid you not, I invented random scenarios for why I was in it. For example, an octopus was eating me. I tell you it did a little for my acting. When I say I'm childish, I DON'T LIE.

On the days we went on excursions, we visited Mayan ruins with a tour guide with terrific posture. The things we take away from experiences. But this guide, he didn't lean on one side of his weight for one second. How does he do it?! What surprised me was how much the tour guide knew about every single aspect of the ruins. Even in Puerto Rico, the tour guide knew so much. Which makes sense considering their occupation. But they always divert from the main topic with more information. I can't randomly talk about every single aspect of Boston. On one of the excursions I learned that in Mexico, "chido" is what Mexicans say when something is cool. It's like the word "gnarly." Learning Spanish words from different countries is my favorite! My family and I also went snorkeling on a very rainy day. I saw a lot of plants on the way that I only see in documentaries. Spoken like a true tourist.

LIZARDS  WERE EVERYWHERE. They're Mexico's squirrels. Or squirrels are the United States' lizards. There will never be an answer!
CAUTION: prepare to see a whole lot of plants

Our last full day consisted of more relaxation at the pool and swimming in every part of it. And playing mini-golf course because why not? Perfect opportunity for my mom to go to the spa.  Our last last day consisted of a morning walk on the beach with the seagulls. And of course I wanted to stay longer after the walk! Despite the very bad condition of my skin.

 And now for a cheesy conclusion... 🧀

I had a lot of fun on this trip with my mom and siblings. It was nice to see my mother enjoy herself after putting up with us butts. And it was fun to work out with her at the gym when we felt like it. I would have liked to stay a little longer, but doesn't everyone? I met a lot of cute little kids, painted a ceramic bird, and added another piece to my animal figurine collection. And I couldn't risk coming back without enough pictures of every part of this trip. Your welcome. This was most definitely the "desired break" I was looking for. Now for my cheesy piece of advice 🧀. Go somewhere different. You never know what you'll end up taking away. Maybe a valuable life lesson, maybe a souvenir, maybe a new boyfriend (lol).