February 8 - Day 8

Hives
I woke up with red hives all over the left side of my face (close to my eye). I think that they might be flea bites from the shelter.

Work
I still had to wrap up a few things this morning and while I was logged in, it started raining again. Ugggh! So much for the beach.

Cancun
Since it was too cold for the beach, I thought I would go to Cancun instead.

Colletivo
The collectivos kept passing me up (although they said Guadalajara on them). So, I went into the 7-11 type store and inquired. She told me to take the Cancun taxi (not the Playa taxi) and that it was only $5.00. I didn't believe her because normally it would be around $40.00. The first taxi to stop was the Playa Taxi, but he told me that the Cancun taxi was coming. The Cancun taxi appeared next with and said he'd take me for $4.00!!!!...What a bargain! He was smoking, however, so I asked him not to. The taxi didn't even smell because he had it out he window. I was so happy. He kept picking up other local passengers along the way (like a collectivo) which was fine with me because it was cheap.

Military
This is where it gets interesting! (Mandy, you would have cried for sure!)

Due to drug traficking, they have called in the military to help. A General was shot and killed 3 days ago by the Mexican Mafia. So, they had road blocks set up going to Cancun. Of course, our vehicle was chosen for the search. They looked under the car and in our bags....everything! I really wanted to take pictures!

It only took a few minutes and we were on our way again!

El Dorado Royale
Once we were back in the car, I found out that the guy sitting next to me works at the Cocotal restaurant in the El Dorado Royale. He was very nice and showed me where to go when we were dropped off in Cancun.

Autobus
I had to take the local bus to the mall. The guy sitting across from me and one seat behind, had a boombox on his lap and was loudly playing Beatles songs. I guess that he never heard of an iPod. However, it made the ride fun.

Grainger
There is now a Grainger in Cancun (Uncle Gene, if you would like to come out of retirment, you could move to Mexico!).

There is also a Price Waterhouse Coopers.

La Isla Mall
I walked arond La Isla, which is an oceanfront mall. It's very pretty and has a lot of upscale shops.

I wanted to go to another shopping area and the taxi driver told me that he'd take me for $10.00! Is he insane! I could walk 2 miles. Just as I crossed the street, the bus arrived, so I did take the bus.

Mercado
I got off the bus in front of the Mercado and walked around some more. I didn't buy anything, but it was nice to walk around.

Lunch
Now I was on a mission to find food because I was starving. I don't like to go to any of the touristy places or anyplace that we have back home when I'm on vacation (Carlos 'N Charlies, Outback Steakhouse, Hooters, etc.).

As I kept walking, I realized that I was now in the hotel zone, which I was pretty sure didn't have too many restaurants (because most are All-Inclusive). Wouldn't you know, it started to drizzle pretty hard, so I knew the rain was coming. I bopped into the Hyatt Cancun.

The nice Concierge showed me to the restaurant.

The Grill
The Grill was the name of the restaurant. I originally sat outside under a semi-enclosed area, but it soon began to rain harder, so they moved me inside with a view of the pool. It started to downpour and everyone scrambled.

I ordered the Lime Soup and asked for bread, but he told me that it came with chips. No chips! Wait until you see my soup. I think it is what Nicole Ritchie would eat. It was like water with some pepper strips! I also ordered a Cappucino, but that never arrived, so I didn't bother. I just wanted to get back now so I could get some real food!

The rain stopped, so I took the local bus to the el centro area to get a ride back. The bus was full and the guy next to me was hung over from the night before. He kept saying how "sick" he was. I told him not to throw up on me. Funny thing is that, he was coherent enough to ask me about the "mosquito" bites all over my feet. I told him that they were blisters from my shoes!

Collectivo
I was going to take the Playa Express back, but the collectivo was ready to go and it was only $3.00.

I had to squeeze way in the back. I was falling asleep until we got to the military checkpoint again. Fortunately, they didn't stop us again. Now, the boy next to me (who works in Guest Services at the Gran Caribe Real in Cancun) started talking to me. We talked the whole way back. He thought I lived in Florida. He couldn't believe that I am almost as brown as he is. I told him that I used to be very brown when I was a kid.

The collectivo dropped me off right at the Office Depot, which is about a block from Urban Suites.

Dinner
I was so hungry, so I quickly freshened up and ran out the door and straight to El Fogon. I ordered way too much. I got the Guacamole, which was very good and the Queso Fundido. The best Queso Fundido used to be at Tres Amigos on Harlem and Addison in Chicago.

Henry was my waiter and the place was hopping with locals and a lot of kids (it was early). There were a couple tourists (who I'm assuming are Trip Advisor members).

Where else can you go where they tell you that it was a pleasure serving you? You don't find that kind of service anymore.

5th Avenue
I ate so much, I needed to walk off some more of my food (although I was nervous that it was going to rain again).

I finally found Sydney's sourvenir!

I also bought one of those cute lights, but mine is on a base to put on my nightstand vs. hanging from the ceiling.

I sampled more flavors of Gelato. I think I've tasted every kind now. I realy like the Cappucino.

Ah Cacao
This is a popular chocolate store and I decided to get a hot chocolate and walk back. I ordered skim milk with whipped cream and the guy told me that was like "ordering tacos and a Diet Coke!" LOL...That's almost what I had for dinner. It was so rich, I would have preferred my Chai Tea.

Work
More work to follow-up on. Internet kept having issues.

Magic Jack
I wish that Jenny would send the Magic Jack soon! I could really use it.

More Hives
As I washed my face for bed, I noticed more hives on the right-hand side of my face. They spread and they were very large. I was freaking out thinking that I caught Lyme Disease from the shelter (but my Aunt Char said that isn't noticeable for weeks). Then, I thought it might be Infintigo. Coincidentally, I have a prescription cream from when I had a Staph Infection on my face that I brought with me, and it is also used for Infintigo. I rubbed it all over the hives before I went to bed.

I also e-mailed Luis asking him if I should see the Doctor at the hotel.