Saturday, October 20, 2012

What I'm learning in Akumal, Mexico

Our daughter Laura is getting married today - she and her bridal party and the other mothers are in the villa next door, getting their hair and makeup done (for $125 a person!) in preparation for the 5:30 wedding. I have curly hair so I opted out. We'll be spending the day in the "penthouse" of our own villa, reading and blogging and sunning, plus hosting anyone from the villa next door who might stop by for a quiet break.

Here's what I've learned so far this week.

1. I love sunshine, but I could never live in a place where it's hot and humid year round. I can be a sweaty mess for a week, but that's about it. Tucson in the winter looks better and better as the time draws near.

2.  A week in a villa with an ocean view is a great place to catch up on reading all the New Yorker, Atlantic and Time magazines I brought with me.

3.  Taking an exercise class for seniors three mornings a week at home means that we have the stamina for all-day outings in Mexico. We are the oldest of the 28 people here, and no one had to slow down for us. That makes it easier to get up in the morning for the class even when it's raining and not really light out yet.

4. I remember most of my very bad Spanish from our trip to Ecuador last February.

5.  Chichen Itza is worth a three-hour van ride.

6.  It is totally awesome to snorkel in the midst of a large school of fish.

7. It is even more awesome to wake up the morning after snorkeling and feel no sore muscles.

8. Sunscreen is my very good friend. Numerous family members are quite sunburned. Playing on the beach for three hours in the heat of the day will do that. Especially in places nearer the equator than Washington State, where most of us live.

9. It doesn't matter what I wear as long as it's cool. Today I am wearing a ten-year-old tank top and the shorts from even older convertible hiking pants. Who cares? 

10. If there is an enormous supply of beer and wine and liquor in stock, it will all be consumed. There's no such thing as too much. I remember this myself from years ago, but I see it big time this week. My goodness!

My stepdaughter Laura lived with us from the time she was 14 until she joined the Navy at 19. She has become a beautiful, self-possessed, independent young woman. I'm very proud of her and am grateful for the part I've been able to play in her life.  She has chosen a young man who is her equal. I'm delighted with that. Last summer, Laura and Brian flew from their home in New Jersey to Seattle for the wedding of one of Laura's friends. On the day of the wedding, during the "getting ready" time, Brian spent two hours sitting at our table, explaining their work to us (they're both engineers working in the nuclear power industry). He was patient and an excellent teacher. Then he asked Art for permission to marry Laura! He's a great mix of the modern and the traditional, and we're pleased as we can be that he'll be part of our family.




22 comments:

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Congratulations to you and all the families on this wedding event. May it all go well this eve.

Yes it can be very hot and humid at this time. Luckily that helps to keep the costs down for travellers who can't afford the drier season that approaches very soon.
Good to know you are able to tour. Akumal is such a historic site.

Teresa Evangeline said...

Your trip sounds wonderful, especially the part about snorkeling amongst a large school of fish, and Chichen Itza. Wow! All good things to learn. :)

Rosaria Williams said...

It sounds like a great place to have a wedding and visit with many.
Enjoy!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful setting for a wedding and there's nothing like a week of shared vacation to make the occasion extra special. And I can hear your love and pride in Laura so clearly. Isn't it a pleasure to see a young person grow up so well? I hope every minute of today will be memorable!

Friko said...

Sounds like you are having a ball. Keep that sun screen topped up and you’ll be fine. Not too much of the hard stuff, though!

Perpetua said...

What a great reason for a trip to Mexico, Linda. I hope you have all had a wonderfulness happy and memorable day. A wedding AND a holiday - what fun!

#1Nana said...

It sounds wonderful. I am remembering my daughter's wedding in Maui where about 25 family members gathered for a week of fun and family time and a beautiful Oceanside wedding. It was a lovely way to get to know the grooms family and a great time for our extended family to catch up.

Ms Sparrow said...

Destination weddings always sound so wonderful but unattainable and expensive. It must have been wonderful to see Chichen Itza! I hope to hear more about it!

b+ (Retire In Style Blog) said...

You are a very lucky woman. Congratulations!

b

http://www.retireinstyleblog.com

Linda Reeder said...

We can always count on you to learn great lessons and share them with us.
Blessings on your family wedding.

Sally Wessely said...

This sounds like the perfect destination wedding. You all are gaining so much from this time together in a place that is far from home. I loved hearing about all you are learning during your time in Mexico.

I love Mexico! I always thought I could live there too until I got older and started feeling the heat. Enjoy the time you have left, and keep that sunscreen handy! On a cloudy day in Cancun, I got one of the very worst sunburns I ever got.

Congrats to the bride and groom. I too can see your great pride in them.

marciamayo said...

I agree especially in the what to wear category. One of the best things about getting older is that no matter what I wear I don't look all that good. It's quite freeing.

June said...

The idea of snorkeling with the fish grabs me . . . being among nature instead of simply looking at it.
I hear you about the consumption of alcohol being amazing, and I guess we're sitting in similar seats at that event. Thank God I'm free of that.
I've never been to Mexico. I would have thought it was all dry and dusty and rocky, like the old westerns that I used to watch in the 1950s. Duh.

Tom said...

Have a great trip, and congrats to your daughter for beginning her own journey.

DJan said...

How wonderful! I well remember Chichen Itza and how magical it was, so many years ago. I especially like your list of lessons learned. And it's always good to hear that you are enjoying yourself so much! I couldn't live somewhere hot and humid year round, either. I'm listing to the rain drumming on the roof right now, but it's cold here, a nice day to stay inside. :-)

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Great fun , and the fact that you can opt in or out of the various bits makes it ideal . ( I would definitely have given the hairdressing bit a miss ... torture ! )
But it sounds like a very good way for two families to start a life together ... and the couple , too , of course .

Lynilu said...

That all sounds just blissful!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

This sounds like a lovely experience...a chance for families and friends to really spend time together and celebrate the marriage of two wonderful people. I know from experience that it's very satisfying to contribute as a stepmom to someone's growth and development.

Dee said...

Dear Linda, this was such a satisfying read. The things you've learned reveal a great deal about the way you view life. And I like that view! Peace.

Galen Pearl said...

Aww, I loved this post. That was sweet from start to finish.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

So wonderful! Congratulations to all of you as you add another beautiful soul to your family :-)

Deere Driver said...

Congrats to you and the family on adding a son!
Sounds like the destination trip worked well for you. So glad!