Five for Friday -- My First!

Hello! 

This is my first Five for Friday post! It deserves to be number one. I am excited to be doing this!

Chores

I have had a busy week. I returned from a vacation in Playa del Carmen last night. I've been doing laundry and trying to get things put away. It's no fun doing the end-of-vacation chores. However, the memories keep me smiling. Of course, when I have this fellow demanding all the attention that he missed while I was gone, it's difficult to work!

Vacation Speed Bumps

The vacation with my cousin was lots of fun! However, it rained the first two days we were there. I'm not talking a rainshower, and then sunshine, as it typically does when one is at the beach. I'm talking blowing rain and thunder. We were more than a little disappointed with the rainy speed bumps, but we managed to find things to entertain us and make us giggle. When the sun finally came out, we were thrilled. I spent two great days at the beach soaking up sun and sea air and another day on an amazing excursion. There is nothing better for me than beach time and learning time! 

I think this is a touching photo of the ladies who were selling souvenirs on the beach. Of course, Cuz and I made a purchase of bracelets and other items on our first trip to the beach. I hope that our purchases helped them more than buying in souveinr stores. We bought from the girl in the red top. She was lovely. Also, pregnant. I tried out my pitiful Spanish and asked her if her baby was a boy or girl. She understood me! It's a boy. 

Am I Vacationing, Teaching, or Learning?

I love to travel. About five years ago, I decided that if I waited for someone to travel with me, I'd be waiting a long time. My parents are elderly, and my dad hates the beach. My brothers are married with teenage and older children, so it's tough to coordinate trips with them. So, I took a trip to Turks and Caicos by myself. I was a little intimidated to travel alone, but I made it just fine. That was the beginning of travels for me. I have taken trips to Great Exuma, Bahamas, Belize (with my neice), Jamaica, the Florida Gulf Coast and Mexico. I love it!  

My cousin, who also loves beach trips, asked me to teach her to travel. I was flattered and amused when she said, "I want you to teach me how to travel." We went to Jamaica, last summer, and we had a blast. So, on this trip, I gave her some performance tasks. It may sound mean, but I purposely separated from her and let her go through immigration alone in Atlanta. She did it beautifully! I have been giving her advice about being guarded even with the friendliest of people. She is one of those people who never meets a stranger and has a bubbly, inviting personality. After lots of advice on traveling, I think she is ready for her first solo trip! 

When I put on my learner hat, I had an excellent treat! I took an excursion to Chichen Itza with a company called Mayan's Explorers. It was fantastic! They picked me up at 6:45 AM and I returned at 7:30 PM. There were eight of us on this excursion. There was a family from Canada and a brother and sister from London. We were an international group!

It was a day filled with exploring Maya ruins up-close and personal. Our guide, Murux (pronounced Maroush), a professor of archeology, was so wonderful. He was animated and passionate about his ancestors and heritage. He called us Mayas when he wanted our attention. "Okay, Mayas, walk with me." He asked probing questions about what we thought. He challenged us to put ourselves THERE in the time of the Mayas. I loved everything about this excursion. It was hot and humid, filled with walking and climbing, and absolutely exhausting. I was filthy when we finished, and I had the... um... good sense... to wear white! Yet, I learned so much! I think I have a new interest -- archeology! There's this city called Palenque that I think I'm going to have to visit next summer. :-)

This temple is not open for climbing. It was straight up with very narrow steps!

After learning and sweating at Chichen Itza, we headed to Ik Il, which is a popular cenote [suh-noh-tee] . My definition of it is that it is a vertical cave, formed in limestone, and filled with fresh water. And little fish that nibble on you. I was nervous about walking all the way down -- 100 feet underground! I don't particularly care for cave-like areas, but it was not so bad and, oh, so worth the walk down 90 wet and slippery stone steps! This picture is from the view at the top. This is one of several meaningful experiences that I had during this trip. 

Those are roots hanging down! Talk about adaptations!

Post Vacation Energy

When I got home, I threw in some laundry, spent time with my needy cat, and sat down to drink a Diet Dr. Pepper. My other cat is sort of reclusive, and she didn't come out from under the bed for a couple of hours. It's a good thing Raleigh is low maintenance, because SkippyJack is the opposite!

I had quite a bit of energy, so I started revising one of my back-to-school activities. It has taken me all day to get it finished. If you'd like to check it out, here it is:

Whew!

I've done it! My final thoughts go out to all the fathers out there. Happy Father's Day! I'll be going to see my pop this weekend, and I hope you have someone special to spend it with, too. Maybe I'll see you around the linky party! 

Adios!