It´s Christmas time again

So it´s finally that time of year again. It seems like in the last two weeks everyone in the Cancun area decided to put up their Christmas lights, it was like one day there were barely any and the next day everyone had their decorations up.

I have noticed here that the majority of the residence go for the real Christmas tree option instead of the fake trees. I think it´s just awesome. While living in Spain for three years I barely saw any real Christmas trees for sale during this time of year, so I was surprised to see the huge amounts of real Christmas trees for sale when I went to WalMart a couple weeks ago, the smell was just divine. Of course, it´s not just WalMart that have them available but all major stores, well had them available. Yesterday, when we stopped by the local Costco, who had tons of them were now only down to the finally few.

This year like the last 6 years we went with the fake tree, less clean up and you don´t have to worry about watering it, I do miss that Christmas tree smell though. For the third time in 6 years we had to buy the whole Christmas decoration and tree setup. I guess that´s pretty normal when we´ve lived in 5 diffrent places in 3 diffrent countries within the past 5 years.

We lucked out on our buy. We picked Home Depot as our spot to get everything and thank goodness we did. As it came to our surprise all trees were 20% off and all decorations were 40% off, awesome!! The tree we picked out was 1300 pesos +/- at its original price and after 8 boxes of ornaments we only paid 1100 pesos. Yeah, I don´t know how that happend. With the 20% off the tree still would have cost almost 1100 pesos. Well, I´m not going to complain. The only thing that Home Depot didn´t have was lights for the tree, so we got them at WalMart.

The assembling of the tree took me about an hour, that´s not including hanging the ornaments and lights. The tree was much bigger than it looked at Home Depot and didn´t reach the roof by an inch, phewww. So, after two and a half hours and help from my daughter the tree was up and looking beautiful. I´ve posted some pictures below.

Like I said in the beginning of my post, Cancun is looking quite Christmasy with it´s lights put up. It´s not as nice as the cities of Spain during this time of year, but at least they got lights up in the streets. I will be taking and posting some pictures of Cancun so stay tuned for those.

Happy Holidays!!!

Fed up with Hotel Life

Since we arrived here, about a month and a half now, we have been living in a hotel. Yeah, at first it sounds great and it was, but after a month and a half things are getting a bit crowded.

So the other day we went apartment/house browsing. Saw some great properties but of course a bit over the budget. Isn´t that great when realtor's do that to you. ¨I know you said properties within a certain budget but let me just show you this one since it´s on our way.¨ Anyways, at the end of the day we found a great apartment. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, laundry room, a great open plan living/dining room and kitchen plus all the appliances you need, which is a plus here in Cancun, a big plus. The only thing we probably will have to buy is a bigger TV. Of course I can´t leave out that there is also a great pool and jacuzzi with BBQ area and wifi, a kids play ground with swings, slides, mini mountain climbing wall, basketball court and a huge board of chess. My favorite part has to be the fully equipped gym. Carlos and I were planning to get gym memberships after we found a place but this way worked out way better.

I am now counting the days till we move, which is on the 24th of this month. The 24th of November is also a very special day for Carlos and I because it is also our wedding anniversary. So I guess I´ll be moving a whole lot of crap on my wedding anniversary, let´s just hope I don´t also have to cook dinner! =)

We couldn´t have picked a more perfect time to move in for Thanksgiving. I can finally make a Thanksgiving meal after 5 years. The last time I had a chance to prepare a Thanksgiving meal was in 2004 when we still lived in Las Vegas, so it´s about time. Carlos is not American but he does enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving, or maybe it´s just the food he enjoys.

So the big move to our new apartment is only in 8 days. I can´t wait.

Our Adventure Getting Here

I finally got internet connection but haven´t had the time to post all the blogs I´ve wanted to. So I guess I´ll start now and start from our adventure from Spain to Cancun.

After almost two months of waiting my daughter and I have finally been reunited with my husband, but boy was it an adventure to get here. If you didn´t know we were living in Asturias, Spain. Our flight to Cancun was to leave out of Madrid which is about a 5 and a half hour drive from Asturias. So instead of driving the almost 6 hours to Madrid and then hoping on a plane for 10 hours and 45 minutes we decided to cut the drive to Madrid in half by heading down to my inlaws second home in Leon a few days before our flight.

We arrived in Leon on Thursday 3 days before our flight, which was a Sunday giving me time to rearrange suitcases and double check everything. Well, this is when the problems started. Like many of you know on most flights you are allowed 2 check-in luggages per person (makes 4 in total for me and my daughter) and they are only allowed to weigh up to 25 kilos, or so that was the restrictions for Air Europa.

My lucky husband flew off to Cancun with nothing more than one suitcase and his GOLF CLUBS. I on the other hand had to pack and then drag with me my clothes and shoes, my daughter´s clothes and shoes & clothes and shoes that my husband couldn´t fit in his 1 suitcase because he refused to leave is clubs behind, not to mention I had to fit in all in 3 suitcases. Why 3 suitcases only? Well, my husband has one of these deflatable 2 seater kayaks that he also wanted me to bring along, which left me with only 3 suitcases. Why did I even say yes to bringing it?!?! Not only did I barely get all our stuff in the suitcases but of course they were all over 25 kilos.

So late Saturday night I was finally done packing all our crap and off to bed I went so I could be ready to go in the morning. At 4:00am Sunday morning I was awoken by bad cramping and a urge to run to the bathroom. Yes, not only would I be driving 2 and a half hours to Madrid and then hop on a plane for 10 hours 45 minute flight, but now I would be accompanied by lovely Mr.D.

Before heading to Madrid we of course made an emergency stop at the Pharmacy. Then two and a half hours later as well as GPS problems and a few emergency stops to the bathroom we were in Madrid at Barajas Airport.

As we zigzagged through the huge crowds in the airport I could only pray that my suitcases were not that much overweight. When we finally made it to the counter I crossed my fingers and prayed, that didn´t seem to work. My three check-in luggages were weighed in at 31, 29 & 27 kilos. The only thing that wasn´t overweight was the flippin kayak which weighed in at 17 kilos. Thank goodness the young man helping me out was very helpful. He let the 27 kilo suitcase pass and the extra 4 kilos on the other was passed only because the kayak was underweight. Unfortunately or should I say fortunately I only had to pay for 1 suitcase. Fine with me!!!

After becoming luggage free my daughter and I finally said our good-byes to my inlaws. Bittersweet moment I must say. Sweet because we were finally going to see my husband and bitter because good-byes just suck, especially to people you care dearly for.

Our good-byes were said and off to the plane it was. We were seated at the back of the plane, the last row in the middle column to the back. I thought we couldn´t get better seating. Right next to the bathroom and no one behind us, it was perfect. My daughter and I also lucked out big time on our plane, it seemed like our plane was an upgrade up from the one my husband took. All passengers had their own individual tv and remote located in from of them and all recently released films, perfect!!!!

The flight went very smoothly, Mr. D was on his best behavior and my little girl was a SUPERSTAR!!! I am so proud of her. Well, I shouldn´t be surprised, she has flown on more planes in her 6 years than most of my family members but she was still a superstar.

Of course you know when coming from another country your adventure has not ended yet, there is still immigration and customs to go through. We passed through immigration with no problems but as we went to pick up our luggage before going through customs I realized there was only one of me up against 3 large suitcases and a large box. Thank goodness for my superstar daughter who held the carts while I lugged the luggage on board and for also maneuvering a cart herself because of course all four did not fit on one cart.

The customs line was long. Did I say the customs line was long? Well let me say it again it was long. As we waited in the long line sweating I see at the corner of my eye something I haven´t seen in a while, my husband. All we could do was wave through the glass doors, but it was just nice to see his face. When our time did come to now take down all our luggage and put them through the scanners I was lucky enough to have a handsome young man offer me a hand. He helped me take down all my luggage from the cart and back on. Thank goodness for this angel, if not I would have been there a good 15 minutes struggling with really upset people standing in back of me.

As we finally got through customs and out the glass door where my husband waited I literally fell in his arms and so did my daughter. A sweet and happy ending to a long and somewhat fustrating adventure or should I say a great beginning to a whole lot of new and old adventures.

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE BACK!!

Hurricane Ida has come and gone

The Yucatan Peninsula got very lucky yesterday as Hurricane Ida passed by changing from a category 1 hurricane to a category 2 hurricane. Winds were suppose to get up to 90 mph or higher accompanied by heavy rain. Fortunately we didn´t experience none of that what so ever. The truth is yesterday was probably one of the best days we had in a couple days. It was cloudy with scattered showers but barely any wind. Hurricane Ida passed us by gave us a quick but gentle hello and went on her way.

Looking out the window today you wouldn´t know that a category 2 hurricane passed yesterday. Skies are sunny today with a bit of clouds and great temperature to head to the beach.

We were lucky here but unfortunately she did hit harder in countries like El Salvador where the death total has reached 124. My deepest condolences go out to all the people of El Salvador especially the families who have lost someone.

Tropical Storm Ida picked it up a notch to a category 1 hurricane!

Late Saturday night Tropical Storm Ida re-strengthened herself into a category 1 hurricane moving at 12 mph. Heavy rain and winds of up to 90 mph are expected here in Cancun. A hurricane warning is in effect for the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula from Playa del Carmen to Cabo Catoche. There is also a hurricane watch from Tulum to Playa del Carmen.

More information can be found at the following sites: National Hurricane Center, AccuWeather or any of your favorite weather websites and channels.

Hurricane Ida maybe a category 1 but we are all alerted to take precautions. If you maybe driving today please be cautious. Roads here in Cancun do get flooded and we are all aware of the many batches and holes that maybe hidden under all these flooded areas.

So far the weather here seems like a normally rainy and windy day here in Cancun but we must be prepared, we never know what can happen. Mother nature can be very unpredictable.

I have taken some pictures from my balcony to show what´s going on right now outside.

I´ll be writing any updates as they come along. Be safe out there!

Our Final Days in Spain

So we are finally down to the last 4 days here in Spain. I thought I was in a hurry to get to Cancun but as the time draws near I am full of mixed emotions. We have been here in Spain for almost 3 years now and of course we have adapted to the way of life here and living here. So right I am filled with a whole lot of mixed feelings.

I am a bit sad to know that we will once again be far from family and to once again take my daughter out of another school and away from all her friends that she has made here. Though, when I think about it I know we will be better off there and we are lucky enough to have a daughter that adapts will to all situations and diffrent locations and not to mention I will be able to be with my husband after a long month and a half.

We will have to start all over again and adapt to a diffrent way of life and location but I know it will be a bit easier since it will not be our first time living in Cancun. I guess I have to think of it as a new adventure and a beginning to a better life.

And The Countdown Begins

That´s right the countdown to Cancun finally begins. Today the tickets were bought and now it´s just the wait for the big day. You all can´t imagine how excited I am. This whole time I knew we were going to be going to Cancun but just didn´t know when. Now we have a date set and you can´t imagine how excited I am.

But of course it´s a bitter sweet moment. Sweet because we will once again be with Carlos in a place that we love. Bitter because we will be leaving family behind again. There are plans being made by my inlaws to visit us real soon in Cancun and hopefully in January I will be visiting my family in Hawaii.

So....LET HE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!!!!!!

The Wait is Almost Over

So it´s been about a month since Carlos has been in Cancun and Jasmine and I have been here in Spain waiting for things to be put in place, and finally it seems as if things have been put into place. It seems as if ¨this waiting game¨ as I like to call it will be finally coming to an end.

Things in Cancun have been going well for Carlos. Job is looking real good, apartment hunt seems to be over and transportation issues have been solved for the time being.

So our almost 3 long years here in Spain are about to come to an end. Airline tickets are being searched for and hopefully great prices will be found. Jasmine and I will finally be joining Carlos really soon in Cancun.....I CAN´T WAIT!!! HASTA PRONTO CANCUN!!!

The Waiting Game

Here´s a little update on what´s going on. Carlos has been in Cancun since August 17 and things are looking good so far. Job seems to be going well and hopefully things will start settling in soon like apartment, car, etc. I guess now it´s just a waiting game for Jasmine and I who are still in Spain.

I don´t know if it´s the bad luck economical wise that we have had in Spain or all this time being apart of Carlos, but I am totally ready to get out of here. I am ready to have a place of my own and not need to live with the inlaws. Don´t get me wrong I am very greatful for all they have done but I´m ready for a place of my own again.

Well, let´s see how long this waiting game last. For now I have to do a little research on schools and make sure I have all the proper documents. My gosh, this moving thing was so much easier when my daughter wasn´t attending school yet. Any Cancun school recommendations out there?

Cancun Didn´t Win

Well votes are in and it´s official....Cancun didn´t come in first. The Travelocity Gnome is now in Hawaii as I write. I guess we didn´t do it this time but I´m sure when we get another chance Cancun will be the Gnome´s stop.

Our Aventure for Passport Renewal

We drove to Leon the day before so our drive to Madrid would be cut in half. At 4:30am we were out of the house and ready to go. The 302 kilometer drive took us about 3 hours. We had our appointment at the American Embassy at 10am and arrived at a little before 8am.

With all that time to kill we decided to sit in a nice cafe and have some breakfast. As we wondered the street of Serrano in Madrid to our surprise we came upon a Starbucks. Oh Starbucks!!! Another thing that many of you take for granted. I of course wanted my latte but was out of luck when they told us that their espresso machine was broken so I opt for the coffee of the week, which was delicious.

After breakfast we still had an hour to kill so we decided to see if the embassy could take us in earlier. I should of know being an American citizen you have no problems getting into the American embassy. They took us in right away and we were out of there in 30 minutes. I do have to say it was music to my ears listening to all those Americans speaking English.

So, after 30 minutes in the embassy we decided not to stick around Madrid and just get back to Leon as soon as possible, another 302 kilometers. We stopped for a quick snack and we were back in Leon by lunch.

So in one day we did 604 kilometers (mas o menos - more or less) and almost 6 hours of driving for a 30 minute visit in the American embassy....let´s just hope we don´t have to do it again!!!! All in all I guess it was worth it, my daughter finall got her passport renewed and we are now one tiny step closer to life in paradise.

VOTE CANCUN

Vote for Cancun now on Travelocity!!!

Click Here to Vote Now!!!

Let´s get Cancun to the front of the race, don´t forget to vote.

Another Day in Asturias

Well, it´s just another day in Asturias. It seems like the more and more I am here the more and more I just want to get out of here. It´s like I feel aggravated all the time and just plan bitchy, just ready to snap at any little thing. I don´t know if it´s this place or the fact that we are living with my in-laws and have no privacy of our own or if it´s just a little bit of the both. I feel like I just can´t wait to get out of here.

Instead of bringing myself down and thinking about the negative things I rather think of all the good things that await me there in Cancun. They might be insignificant things to many of you but when you haven´t had them for a long time there like a rare ruby. So here´s my list of my rare rubies:

1. The Caribbean Sea (duh)

2. White sandy beaches that never seem to burn, even on a hot summer´s day.

3. Mexican lemonade or limonada as they call it in Mexico, there is just no other place that makes lemonade like the Mexicans do.

4. Carne ranchera, oh it makes my mouth water just to type it. Super Carnes will definitely be on my to go list for the first week I am there.

5. 24hr shopping centers like WalMart. Yes, it may sound stupid but here in Spain the ¨afternoon siesta¨ and ¨no one works on Sunday¨ is something they live by here.

6. Year round warm temperature, even though I do love to get all dressed up in winter clothing.

7. Being able to walk on the street without people starring and wondering where the hell I am from.

8. All the great varieties of fruits and vegetables.

9. Not having to pay triple or quadruple the amount of money for tropical fruit and international food and ingredients.

10. Of course all the great attractions like Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Tulum, Actun Chen, the cenotes and all the other marvelous wonders the area has to offer.

11. My favorite day time snack, jalapeño chips and lime popsicles. There is only one brand of jalapeño chips and lime popsicles I like and I will ensure you that my freezer and dispenser will be stocked with them.


Okay I am going to have to stop myself. I am feeling a lot better but at the same time I´m getting myself a bit more down. There´s just so many things I miss. We were so anxious and excited to move to Spain that we didn´t think twice about what we were leaving behind, you know that whole ¨the grass is greener on the other side¨ thing. Well now we know it just ain´t so green here and we can´t wait to get back.

Step One

So, it is now official. Plans for us to head back to Cancun is now in full working force. My hubby will be making the venture first and hopefully if all goes as planned my daughter and I will be joining him shortly after.

This may sound like an exciting experience - going back to live in Cancun with it´s beautiful beaches, great weather, crystal clear waters etc., etc., but it´s not. When we use to live in Mexico moving back and forth between Cancun and Acapulco things were easier and diffrent. Okay, not quite that diffrent there is just one thing that has changed, my daughter is now almost six and is in school. All you parents know what I´m talking about now, there is just no picking up and leaving. Now I have to do some searching for new schools, apartments that are not a great distance away, admissions and what papers will be needed, etc. Yes, doesn´t sound like fun and games anymore. I will be going onto my trusty CancunCare Forums to get some advice from the great local residents of Cancun.

So, let´s see what we have done already....

- Booked hubby´s ticket to Cancun (check)

HOLY MOLY!!! I think that´s the only thing we got done. Now let´s look at the things that need to be done...

- Go to Madrid and renew my daughter´s passport.
- Check out schools online and get advice from other Cancun parents.
- See what legal paper´s I will be needing in order to register my daughter into a school.
- Contact our friend in Cancun who also owns a Real Estate Agency to start finding us some apartment options.
- Find my Mexican Drivier´s License and hope that we will be able to renew it when we arrive in Cancun.

I know there is so much more to be done but I just can´t think of anymore or maybe it´s because I just don´t want to. Okay, breath and just think Carribean Sea, white sandy beaches, the great variety of veggies and fruit, and all the other things I miss there.

Isla Mujeres

One of my favorite getaways when living in Cancun.






Isla Mujeres was one of the first places we visited while living in Cancun. Access to the island is available by ferry, there are three different ferries choose from.

Isla Mujeres has such a different feel to it from Cancun. For me I felt as if I was taken far away from the enormous hotels and busy streets filled with cars to a far away Caribbean Island.

Being an island beaches are plenty and some of the best in all the Cancun & Riviera Maya area. Waters are calm and crystal clear, great for all ages. Many of the beaches offer hammock, sun bed & sun chair rentals for great beach front relaxation. Some beaches also offer beach side beverage & food service which makes a relaxing day a bit more relaxing.

Exploring the island is a must and the best way to do it is by golf cart. There are a few golf cart rental shops to choose from, but no matter which one you choose from don´t forget to ask for a map of the island this way you won´t miss a thing.

Isla Mujeres maybe an island but it is full of attractions and activities. Some of the more popular activities are snorkeling at the Cross of the Bay and scuba diving at Machones Reef or the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks. Other activities and attractions include swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, visiting the Turtle Farm, fishing trips, and shopping in downtown Isla Mujeres.

Isla Mujeres is also home to Garrofon Reef Park. Garrofon Reef Park is many adventures and activities located in one great location. From recreational activities like snorkeling and kayaking to activities like a zip line, climbing tower, strolling along the seaside trail and enjoying the views from their panoramic view tower. Rest and relaxation can also be done poolside or lying in one of their hammocks in the hammock garden. Don´t forget to check out the sculpture park and the Mayan Temple.

Isla Mujeres is more than just an island off the coast of Cancun, it´s a destination in itself full of attractions, activities and beauty.

Cancun & The Riviera Maya

Just writting a little something about Cancun & The Riviera Maya.

When you think of Cancun & The Riviera Maya you think of it´s pristine waters with various shades of turquoise & blue splashing against the white sandy beaches that are always welcoming to the bare feet and magically never seem to burn, even on a warm summer´s day. Even though the beaches are so tempting and they are one of the main attractions there is still so much more that these beautiful destinations have to offer.

For the ones of us that enjoy spending a buck or two, there are so many shopping options to choose from. Cancun & The Riviera Maya offers everything from luxury brand names that you can find in places like Kukulcan Plaza & La Isla Shopping Center, to bargain markets & souvenir shops.

Nature lovers will be in paradise at places like Xcaret & Xel-ha. Here you can snorkel, swim or tube through the many rivers and beautiful crystal clear lagoons. Here the fish and nature are plenty as well as many places to relax on a hammock as you take in the sun. There are many underground rivers or cenotes as they are know here located throughout the area and plenty of jungle tours as well for the adventurous. While the adventurer takes a tour of the jungle the historians in us will be able enjoy the ancient Mayan ruins located in such places as Tulum or Chichen Itza. Smaller ruins are located throughout Cancun & The Riviera Maya area so make sure to keep your eyes on the look out.

Being surrounded by water, these destinations are full of attractions in and around the sea. Swimming with the dolphins, fishing charter boats, snorkeling & scuba tours. How about being in the driver´s seat of a mini speed boat while taking a tour of the lagoon and Caribbean Sea? If that sounds like your kind of adventure then Jungle Tours is the place for you. There are many companies that also offer day cruises out in the sea as well as dinner and entertainment aboard a pirate´s ship.

Other activities include day trips to the nearby Isla Mujeres where you can explore the island by golf cart, a great round or two of golf at one of the many courses and of courses no matter how much you entertain yourself with all these attractions you can´t forget about the amazing beaches. I could go on and on about all the amazing attractions these beautiful destinations have to offer but I think you get the point. Cancun & The Riviera Maya are magical places great for all types of vacations.