February 11 - Day 11

I had a 9:30 a.m. appointment at the Iberostar Grand, so it was up and out early today. (Naturally, the shower did not cooperate...I just can't win! Today it was cold.)

Collectivo
I wanted to take the collectivo, but to avoid the same issue I had yesterday, I walked to the terminal. I think that they like to mess with me because one guy said he'd be leaving soon (and he had the scariest eye.....almost like it was going to pop out). However, he just kept cleaning the van and there wasn't anyone in it. So, I asked another guy and he said it was coming in 5 minutes. I was worried that we'd still have to wait for it to get filled up and I would be late. So, as I started to hail a taxi, he told me that he'd take me for the same price as a taxi....$20.00! LOL Not in a million years! I only paid $4.00 to go to Cancun. Finally, the bus came and it was full. He said he told the guy that I needed to go to the Iberostar. The driver was going all of these crazy, different ways, and finally, when we got on the highway and I knew where we were, I asked the guy next to me about stopping at the Iberostar. He yelled to the driver, but wouldn't you know, the driver passed it up anyhow and dropped me off way past the Iberostar. So, now, I was already late for my appointment!

Iberostar Grand
Iberostar is Grand! They had me on the list as a visitor at the Security gate and they called a golf cart to bring me to the hotel.

I met with Hakim, who is from Belgium (but he's not the hot guy that I met at the Trade Show). The hotel is stunning. It's laid out in the shape of an airplane if you take an aerial view of it. You also enter the rooms from inside. There are plenty of areas to keep dry in case it rains.

It's one of the few resorts that has actual beach front rooms where you walk right out onto the beach. However, the ocean view rooms are set back (so, you have a view, but you are not right there).

The rooms are all the same no matter which view you choose. I really liked the bathroom because it has his/her vanities on opposite sides. It also has a door and another door that you can close from the hallway into the bedroom for privacy.

I really didn't know if I would think that it was as beautiful as people say, but it is a truly beautiful hotel. The thing that always impresses me the most is the service that Iberostar provides.

The best part is that they are 90% smoke-free and by August, they will be 100% smoke-free! Guess what my new favorite is? Way to go Iberostar! Actually, after my first visit to the Tucan, that was one of my suggestions. LOL However, being a Spanish owned company, I never expected that to happen.

I had a drink with Hakim and then he hailed me a golf cart to drive me back to the entrance.

Collectivo
I waited a very long time in the scorching sun for a collectivo again. Not sure what is going on. It felt like my feet were on fire. Finally, the Playa Express bus picked me up.

Urban Suites
I walked back to the condo and checked on things, but it said that I had a bad connection, so I decided to go to Plaza Las Americas.

Plaza Las Americas
Plaza Las Americas is the brand new mall in town. You have to take a taxi there. I think it might even be in a town called Chetumal.

Taxi
Again, some taxi drivers didn't want to take me there. When I saw a guy getting out of a taxi, I asked that taxi driver and he said he'd take me there for $3.00, so I went with him. We talked the whole way there. He didn't speak great English, but he tried, and I was trying to speak Spanish.

The Mall

Lunch
I needed a little something, but they only had a food court. The choices were fast food Mexican, Chinese, McDonald's or Burger King. I finally ordered a Happy Meal, which I dreaded, but I got a Nickolodeon character for Sam.

The boy in the mall selling gelato kept pushing samples. The Baileys was good.

There aren't that many stores. There's a Melody (clothes store), a Zingarra bathing suit store, some novelty stores, and a Hang Ten Store (Isn't that strange? That brand was popular when I was in high school.)

The mall had a Chedraui (which I noticed the pop and water was more expensive at, probably due to the rent). Being the cheapskate that I am, I figured that I would walk to the Chedraui closer to me tomorrow.

I was so excited to find something for Sydney's birthday, so it was definitely a successful trip.

Taxi
The taxi driver wanted $5.00 to take me back to the Office Depot. I refused. I only paid $3.00 to get there. I walked over to the local bus stop called Tucsra and only paid 50 cents. They said they'd go to central Playa Del Carmen. Well, that was worth the 50 cents for sure! It was only locals and we stopped in residential areas. Then, when we got on the other side of Highway 307, at 30th, I realized where all of the very local stores are. It's a really long walk though, and I don't think even I would do it. Around 30th and 68th, there's a lot of stuff! Since he kept driving down 30th, I just had him drop me off at 4th, which is closer to the condo. Then, I walked back.

Internet
Arggh! I got a couple e-mails sent before it went down again.

Rooftop
I went up to the rooftop to read and rest, which was nice today, but hot. I even cooled off with the shower, but ther wasn't a lot of water pressue.

Ooops!
I put my purse on the bed and the Coca-Cola spilled through and onto the bedspread. I went to tell Anna so that she could clean it right away. She always yells at me in Spanish. A tour operator was visiting and she had her translate (but I just wanted to show her). I told her that Anna doesn't like me because I don't speak Spanish, but she said that's just how Anna is. Anna took the bedding off and cleaned it while I went out. I'm never putting my purse on the bed again. She told me to go and have a "Tequila."

Dinner
I hadn't heard from Annemarie, so I figured that I would get ready and walk around town.

Lavenderia
I dropped off my laundry on my way into town. They were very accommodating. I even brought my own unscented detergent.

La Kalaka
When I hadn't heard from Annemarie by 7:00 p.m., I figured that something came up and she wasn't going to be able to meet us. I ordered the Gnocchi with Mozzarella and it was delicioso.

Jorge called me when I was eating and they wanted to meet up with Anemarie at 9:00 p.m. Goodness! I'm glad I didn't wait to eat.

I met Jorge, Annemarie, and Mikayla (Jorge's girlfriend) at Diez Argentinan Grill on 5th and 30th. Jorge and Mikayla just came from the gym. Annemarie is the only one who ate dinner. Afterwards, Annemarie drove me back to the condo and I finally gave her the birthday present that I brought with for the second time (we share the same birthday). And, we are very much alike. LOL

Work
I worked for the rest of the evening.