I woke up startled – WOW – I was really on Isla Mujeres – not just dreaming it like most mornings. That is always such a nice discovery! Pina coladas, bananas and yogurt for breakfast. Just a lazy morning until it was time for me to meet Jorge and find a cart. Bruce settled in on the terrace with a book, planning to venture to a chaise lounge by the pool later on. The lay-out of Nautibeach was really perfect for him. The weather was cool, and just a little windy, but not that bad – it was December afterall. I packed up my beads for Veronica and the camera – I would not be without it again.

Jorge was in his kitchen, and after the proverbial Mexican “uno momento,” we were off in search of a “deal” on a week golf cart rental. Jorge explained that I was his good friend and that he did NOT want any commission – just a good price on a multiple day rental. The price is $450MP for 24-hours – no discounts for multiple days. No, gracias. On to the next place. Same story…we went to EVERY golf cart rental place on the island. We even noticed that the signs at many of them had the logos for the other shops across the bottom – a full row of logos for everyone that rents carts. Jorge’s good friend at Ciro’s (our last stop because that is where I always get my carts) explained that they had a meeting and the price is the same everywhere – NO exceptions. O.K. It was decision time. We’re on a fairly tight budget this trip, so there is no way I’m going to pay that much for a cart for 6 days. I decide to take it for 2 days for now – that will get me through some of my business meetings, and get Bruce moved around where he needs to go. It was filled in for a 10:30 return, but I convinced them that I may not be able to have Bruce moved in to the Avalon that early – I needed a 12:30 return. They gave me that much.

I headed to Veronica’s shop armed with the beads and a bottle of water. The last time she braided my hair, it was much hotter, and I came supplied with a 6-pack of Negra Modelo. It seemed like a good idea, but when it takes over 2 hours to get your hair braided, with no bano nearby, life can be miserable…Within 2 hours she was finished this time. I asked a man that was dusting the sale items (with a paintbrush) if he’d take a picture of Veronica and I. He smiled really big and went and stood next to Veronica! I chuckled and took a good picture of the two of them. Then I asked Veronica if he would take one of the two of us. Her English is pretty good – he spoke none. Once again, I wish I had those pictures to include here. I’ll have to post them later.

I needed to access email, but the internet café I went to didn’t have a connection then. I stopped in Chili Locos and asked Jorge where I should try. He shuffled me through the “alley” between his bar and kitchen, to the next street over. That is his favorite internet place. They were up and running. I used them all week – each time I was there about an hour for $25MP. As soon as I sat down, guess who sat down next to me? Hola again Ralph – are you following me? LOL! I guess Ralph just knows all the best places to go.

I headed back to get Bruce. I found him lounging by the pool – very happy. He told me I picked the perfect spot for him to start out the week. He agreed with me about just getting the cart for the first two days, and then one for the last day. For our 3 days at the Avalon, he’d stay put, or get a taxi. Joyce had come by looking for me while I was gone, so I went to the office to meet her. Joyce was not in – she was busy checking each and every unit for anything that needed to be taken care of before the big holiday rush. I’d come back later to meet her.

I know that most people don’t “plan” their vacations on Isla. I had some meetings that I needed to be to at certain times – this wasn’t all vacation for me. And, we do actually “plan” our time anyway. Not like normal though – we plan around meals! Tuesday is chili relleno special day at La Lomitas. Like kids headed to see Santa, we head to the golfcart with a spring in our step (well, Bruce doesn’t have much spring) and big grins to journey to La Lomitas. Since Bruce hasn’t been able to do anything for 5 weeks, he’s decided that he is driving the golf cart. I’m not so sure about this…He insists that he is a great driver with his left foot, and that he can just stick his right leg on the other side. Knowing how much the carts bump around with the potholes in the streets, I didn’t want to chance bumping his leg or foot, so I sat in back. He was REALLY happy to be in contact with a motor again – he lives for things with motors!

We took the long way, down past the ferry, turning after the Navy, coming in from the south side of downtown. It’s nice back in those areas – the daytrippers don’t go back there. I noticed many new paintjobs, and a little remodeling – homes and businesses are slowly getting spruced up in town. At LaLomitas they had a Christmas tree decorated with spoons and forks that had been spray painted gold – another photo that I’ll have to post later. We ordered guacamole and dos chili rellenos. I had a brainfreeze and couldn’t remember the Spanish word for orange, so I just got up and grabbed two orange sodas. First comes the big bowl of beans – yumm, then the guacamole. Why can’t we get guacamole like this at home? In between serving us, the waiter was wrapping Christmas gifts. He brought us two of the largest chili rellenos I’d ever seen. I had planned to take pictures of them, but we were both so excited that we dug right in. I remembered AFTER I was almost finished, that I’d wanted pictures. Oh, well…Once again we’d had an incredible meal for less than ½ of what we’d pay at home.

Bruce had enough excitement, and was ready to rest again. I needed to try to meet Joyce, so we headed back to Nautibeach, where Bruce settled in with his book again. Joyce was in this time. It is always so funny when you meet someone that you’ve dealt with for a long time, but have never seen in person. She thought I was much older – she was shocked to see me. Actually I was the same – since she’s mostly retired, I expected her to be much older. She’s a very nice lady. Joyce and Bob had been gone for 6 weeks, and she wasn’t happy when she returned and found that little things were slipping through the cracks. No more – she was “cracking her whip” getting things shaped up before the rush. She even put her sister-in-law to work. She told me that I should be enjoying a beach day, because a big norte was blowing in, and it would be bad for several days. I’d like to, but I had things that I had to take care of.

Our second night we had reservations for Nautibeach, but I’d made arrangements with Kin to stay at Playa Media Luna for a night. I’d always loved the property, but never stayed there. It is so much easier to retain information about a place and discover more about it if you actually stay. I headed over to see if I could meet Kin, and ask when we should come check in. Kin was in Cancun, but they checked me in right away. I wandered the property and got lots of pictures. I told them that I’d have to go back to get my husband, and we’d be back later on. I wanted to go to Sergio’s for sunset before taking Bruce to Media Luna. I put on my swimsuit, hoping for the chance to get in the ocean. Bruce couldn’t go to Sergio’s because he can’t get through the loose sand with his crutches. Heading down the road from Media Luna, I noticed two people walking the same direction I was going. I asked if they’d like a ride, and where were they going? To Sergio’s – same as I. Something seemed familiar about them – was it the voice? Had I met them before? Aha! It was Eric and Debbie – I’d booked their trip for them. Today was their 25th anniversary, and they were going to celebrate with sunset at Sergio’s and dinner at Casa O’s.

It was great to see Sergio again. He asked where I was staying, and when I rattled it all off, he looked puzzled and asked how long was I staying? When I told him only one week, he frowned and offered to help me find my accommodations next time, so I wouldn’t have to move around so much! He’s always so willing to help out. I laughed and explained that I wanted to check many places – it was intentional that we were moving around. Ralph was at the bar – I seemed to bump in to him often. He bought me a Margarita – what a nice guy. I asked Sergio to do something special for Eric and Deb’s anniversary, and he brought them Mayan Sacrifices. They’d never done them before, so it was humorous. It was so windy, that it took a lot of maneuvering to get them lit. Once again, I’ve got pics for later. I really enjoyed visiting with them, and learning of their previous travels – a couple of really nice people.

It was cloudy, windy, and cold. Too cold to swim. Not much of a sunset. But, I had my margarita, and I was on the beach on Isla – that’s almost perfection.

I went back to grab Bruce, a few beers, and an overnight bag. I was so glad that we could leave most of our stuff at Nautibeach for the night. I took him over to Media Luna, and he could see why I like it so much. We planned to just hang on the terrace (literally – in the hammock) the next morning and afternoon. I love the Caribbean side. Although he’d initially thought Nautibeach was perfect, he decided Media Luna was impressive too. We headed into town for dinner. Where else, but Chili Loco’s? Two for one drinks, great food, and Jorge – we just can’t seem to tear ourselves away to go elsewhere at night. Jorge let me do a ½ and ½ of the daily specials when I couldn’t make up my mind; garlic calamari and Yucatan fish – both very good. He made shrimp tacos for Bruce – another very satisfied customer. Tonight was “sampling” night; first Margaritas, then Mojitos, then White Russians. It was a good thing that Bruce wouldn’t be walking back on his crutches tonight!

Another early night for us – we opened the window so that we could fall asleep to the sound of the surf – nothing soothes me more. I wonder if that is what it sounds like in the womb?