Day 1 - February 1

I had about 2 hours of sleep, but I Got here successfully and had a very busy day. It feels like home!

The morning was pretty normal except that my dad went to the International terminal to drop me off even though I told him it was Terminal 3.

I also got stopped going through customs because of my Epi Pen and Annemarie's 20 lb. paper weight! I'm leaving it here no matter what.

The people who sat next to me on the airplane were from Twin Lakes, WI, so I gave them my business card. They build Wick homes.

Weather
The surprise is that it did not rain. It is hot and nice out.

Transportation
I used the Grayline for $30 instead of the Ado because I had a lot of luggage and didn´t want to wait anther hour.

The other couple was going to the Mayakoba because he works for them in Seattle.

Urban Suites
Urban Suites is almost to highway 307. It is a long walk and a different kind of neighborhood. Wait till you see my pics. The studio is nice, but I wanted to go out immediately and I got locked in because it´s gated and my key wouldn´t turn the bottom lock. I knocked on every door, but no one was home. By chance, I called the phone number on the office window and reached Ana, the building manager. She kept saying "one minute" and we would get disconnected, so I kept calling back. Apparently, she was on her way back to let me out. I felt like a prisoner! She kept telling me that she couldn't speak English and I kept saying, "no Habla Espanol!" (At least not her kind.)

The annoying thing is that I was unable to connect to the Internet.

Restaurant Owner
I met a guy who is opening a restaurant serving food from the Veracruz region. He said he would help me with my Spanish if I helped him with his English.

Playa Del Carmen
I literally walked everywhere! I met two guys from Milwaukee who were staying at the Bahia Principe! As usual, I had a great time exploring. On my way to town I found a few great small hotels. Rick, I found a couple other beach front ones that I think you will like.

I was hoping to lose weight on this trip, but I stopped for a Coconut Gelato at a new gelato place (not the one we went to in November).

Super Bowl Party
I went to the Sandbox and it was definitely the happening place to be. It was so crowded (mostly with Canadians). I couldn't even find a place to sit, so I didn't stay.

Omar
I stopped to say "Hi" to Omar at Rolandi's. I told him that I'll be in for dinner one night.

El Fogon
I finally found El Fogon on my way to Wal-Mart! The place was bustling with locals. Prices were so cheap. I had Tacos El Pastor and the slice of pineapple was a nice touch. I also had Queso Fundido. I am going to take Bryn there for sure.

Wal-Mart
On my way to Wal-Mart I ran into the restaurant owner again and he asked me to have coffee with him in 2 hours. I bought few things, but there was a shortage of Diet Coke.

El Cafe
I met the restaurant owner (and I keep calling him that because I can´t remember his name!) and we went for coffee across from a park where the locals were having a giant party. Did I mention that he paid! Now I know why he asked me to go for coffee.....he's a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober for 2 years. He started drinking a lot when he was in the military in Italy.

He is supposed to open the restaurant in a few days. I can even work there.

We walked around 5th Avenue and the beach a little bit.

Back Home
I got back around 9:30 and watched Kramer Vs. Kramer while I unpacked and organized my things.