Mexico

What a way to start the trip off with a bang... I was sitting on the plane, ready to depart when I get a call from my mother who tells me that Tropical Storm Alex is headed right for Cancun! Of Course!! Oh well, here we go!!

The flight was quick, only 1h40m and I feel like I spent more time in the line for customs than I did on the flight. Though my Spanish is not fluent (YET) I greatly appreciate the level of knowledge and experience that I have even this early on in the trip. The airport employees seemed to be very happy that I even knew enough Spanish to say hello, how are you and understand what they were saying back to me.

The ride to Sally's house was a different world already. Immediately, the driver offered us cold Corona's, 2 for $5, which you can drink on the ride. Of course, that's a bit pricey but what would you expect on the ride home directly from the airport? I don't think I've seen that many VW Bugs in a 45 minute span in years! We passed a Mexican Police station with officers standing roadside with AK47's as well as saw countless cars and motorbikes pulled over with obvious mechanical issues and a woman carrying a toddler on a motorcycle... at least the child was wearing a helmet.

On the transfer van, I met Joe and Dawna from Alabama, who were on their first vacation together as a couple. They were quite entertaining. They were leaving four children back in the states to spend a week at an all inclusive resort just South of Cancun and were meeting his family who had already arrived for their family reunion. What a fabulous destination for a family reunion!!

Well, I've arrived in Puerto Aventuras at the home of my first official CouchSurfing host, Sally and she is wonderful! She's warm and inviting and immediately made me feel right at home. Her friend Marina was also at the house when I arrived and she's just as lovely. The three of us sat around with Marina's two dogs, Charlie and Jimmie and Sally's dog, Mumkin and had great conversation, ranging from Michael Moore to the benefits of the French Citizens to the condition of the economy. Both of them speak very intelligently and are up on the current affairs of the world, something I unfortunately can't say that I have been very good about lately. I feel like I walked across the street rather than crossed the ocean.

Sally also has two cats, Jack and MuMu. Jack slept at my feet last night and really acts like a dog more than a cat. MuMu is not as friendly and really keeps to herself, for the most part.

Tropical Storm Alex is showing its presence with a load of rain. I was hoping the sun would come out today and I could go down to the beach but just as soon as the sky started to look bright this morning, the dark clouds rolled in and the rain started again. Even with the rain, it was really nice to sit on the screened porch, drink my coffee, listen to the birds and watch the trees sway with the wind. I could definitely get lost in life here.