Sunny days are here again

While most of you were sitting down to your turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, we were in the air flying over the Gulf of Mexico. For once, we had an on time flight with no cancellations, plus, the added bonus of a provided "lunch." Apparently the airlines treat you better if you're flying out of the country as opposed to domestically. Next stop, CANCUN! Of course we messed up our Claims and Customs form twice, but eventually we were able to correctly state that we did not in fact have live animals in our luggage.

Upon arrival in Cancun, the first thing you encounter as you attempt to leave the airport are hoards of taxi drivers trying to convince you that you do not need your prearranged shuttle and should instead share a ride in a Chevy (pronounced Tchevy) with a couple of domesticated chickens. We were lucky to avoid this scheme and found our Le Meridien shuttle representative waiting with our name on a sign (they even spelled it correctly, added bonus).

Upon arrival to our 5 star hotel we learned the following:
1. Everyone wants a tip, you tip the person driving you, the person who unloads your bag from the van, the person who takes your luggage once in side, and finally, the woman who brings you a "complimentary" mimosa upon entering.
2. It's beautiful and well worth every tip. Somethings are just worth the extra cost.
3. By simply making eye contact you can have someone at your side asking if there is anything you need. No joke.

Le Meridien

So upon arriving at Le Meridien, we found ourselves with some time on our hands since the rest of the guests were out on a day trip. Hmmmm, what to do with our time... how about a little ocean? So swim suits in hand...errr, on, we hit the beach and took in the awesome scenery.

1 & 2) Views from Le Meridien 3) On the beach 4) View from Vamsi's balcony

Around 8pm we gathered with the group and embarked on the experience of bus riding in Mexico. Which includes the sport of trying to find a seat before the driver hits the gas. Then, you get extra points if you can make it to the front of the bus to hit the button signifying you want to get off. Quite exciting, and so cheap it's the only way to truly get around.
Our evening was then spent at Senor Frogs. A crazy restaurant where they make balloon hats and have live music. Oh, and did we mention the waterslide? Ask Vamsi since he went down the thing twice! Too bad we didn't have the camera for that one since it would have made for a great blog in itself. If any of you reading have one, send it to us and we'll post it!

Friday (the wedding day) was spent at the pool and beach relaxing (Emily) and bodysurfing (Chris). Of course, the bodysurfing was less exciting after getting taken under by a big wave, getting drug against the bottom of the ocean and ultimately developing whip lash. But hey, one of your best friends is getting married today, you've got to go all out man!

An hour before dusk we gathered for the big event. They couldn't have picked a more beautiful and scenic place to get married. And to make it even better, it was short and sweet. The dinner was also fabulous and quaint. We ended the great day on a party boat on the ocean, where we passed by a few "pirate-inspired" booze cruises. Emily engaged in a drinking contest with Vamsi, but it ended when the whisky shots were getting passed around. Who wants to be burping up digested whiskey? Yuck! It was a great time (despite the whiskey shots) and totally unique (ala the grooms' parents blow job shot expose).

1) The "Aseltines" 2) Cake cutting 3) Reception 4) Post ceremony 5) Heather's bouquet

Saturday, another day with even better weather, we again basked in the sun with our SPF 30 on. We had plans for a group Jungle Tour, but the guys headed out for a little ocean jetskiing and got back a little later than planned, so we just chilled and drank pina coladas (the best damn things ever!!) at the pool. Finally, we put ourselves together and Emily went shopping with the girls while Chris went with Ryan to get tickets for Xel-ha.

A few lessons learned while shopping in Mexico:
1. Every price is negotiable. Just ask Megan, she can talk down anyone by at least $15. Incredible to watch, really, it's an art.
2. Expect to get approached by at least 4 children on every block trying to sell you a bracelet they would like you to believe they made, but was in fact made by their mother who watches from across the street, hoping that you, the stupid American, will fall for the innocence of a child.
3. People follow you all the time, trying to get you to buy their chains, see their baskets etc. They are very persistant and do not give up easily (this is probably why it's so easy to barter).

The evening was rounded up at a live lobster house with the entire group again. This was our last meal together since nearly everyone was flying back Sunday. Vamsi entertained us all by ordering the hottest habanero sauce for his shrimp. Oh, we forgot to mention it took him 10 minutes to simply order since he wanted his shrimp cooked one way, with a particular sauce, and of course, his lobster had specific instructions as well. Total, Vamsi had 2 plates and at least 3 sauces, including el habanero especial. For those of you who do not know Vamsi, he loves spicy things. Salsa on everything and the hotter the better. However, he met his match with el habanero especial. It totally kicked his ass, and he admitted it. In fact, he was so impressed by it's hottness he shared with those willing to meet his challenge. His ego suffered a blow however when 2 challengers downed huge scoops without a flinch. Alas, Vamsi's days as supremo salsa eater were henceforth over. It was wonderful having one last night with everyone and watching Vamsi get his tongue burned.

Sunday morning arrived early with a call from room service asking us to specify our cereal request. Vamsi thought he'd finally succeed in his plan to order us room service (he had previously attempted this while using our toilet phone to call in an order). Little did he know that the order wasn't specific enough and we cancelled the order when they called to confirm. HAHAHA nice try Vamsi, did you get the bills for those poolside pina coladas we charged to room 717? $9 a pop buddy!

But that 6:15am call came right on time since we were meeting another couple, Kim and Troy in the lobby to visit Xel-ha and Tulum. Finally we got our trip underway, with a brief (if 30 minutes is brief) stop at a roadside market so that we would (hopefully) buy goods from our tour guide's family. (This is an assumption of course, but when this isn't a scheduled stop and the tour guide is talking it over with the driver, things look a little bit shady.) After 3 hours (which should have taken 1 and 45 minutes) we arrive to Tulum. By the way, we should mention that this trip was a compromise on Chris' part. He wanted to rent a car (yes, this is fact) and drive into the Yucatan jungle to visit Chichen Itza, the largest Mayan ruins in the world and now a wonder of the world (we just wonder which wonder). Emily of course was scared to death to think of Chris at the wheel of a Mexican Tchevy, driving on roads marked in Spanish 3 hours into the middle of nowhere. Finally, we arrive at the decision to take a tour to Tulum, a smaller but still impressive Mayan city. The pictures basically tell the story except to say there were hundreds of lizards and Iguanas everywhere. You actually had to watch where you walked because you might run across one. But, it was great to see something so ancient and the backdrop of the sea was breathtaking.

1) Tulum Ruins 2) Our tourguides

Our tour guide then trekked us back up the coast to Xel-ha. It's a natural aquarium turned theme park where we floated in tubes and snorkled in the lagoons. Totally the best experience of the entire trip and well worth the $100 per person. If you've ever snorkled you know it's an experience unlike any other. You see the schools of fish swimming past, coral, crabs etc.
After 3 hours of water fun, it was time to meet back with the tour guide and journey back home. We changed and spent the rest of the evening shopping and dining with Troy and Kim. We were the last survivors of the trip. Overall an excellent day and a great note to leave the trip on.

1) Xel Ha natural aquarium 2) Chris' favorite Carona-esq pic

Monday, we woke up early to catch a little more sunshine before we had to leave for the airport. Chris took pictures and Emily enjoyed the sounds of the ocean and read. This was the only day where sunscreen was not applied and although it was only 9am, Emily got a little burned/tanned so that she actually looked like she'd been to Cancun. Relaxed and peaceful, we begrudgedly packed our bags and boarded our plane back to the great U.S. of A.

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