There are two beautiful men sleeping next to me. In hammocks.
But first...
This morning, I hustled along to the airport for Cancun: Part II. Everything is going swimmingly as I trot to the gate for boarding until the flight attendant swipes my boarding pass and it turns red and makes an unfriendly sound. It was not an "enjoy your trip!" sound. It was a "we don't have your name in the system for this flight" sound. "No, no, no, I - " I start, until I am quickly redirected to the special services counter. The woman takes my ticket and confirms that I am, in fact, NOT on the flight roster. Actually, I'm scheduled for a flight via Miami that left at 6:05am. OH REALLY?! Is that why I have a BOARDING PASS for the 9:40 direct flight to Cancun? She doesn't get it either, except to figure they "bumped" me again. Without notifying me. So far, not impressed with US Airways. I'm informed that this flight is booked, so basically, tough tanoogies (sp?) At this point, I would go so far as to say that I am ANGRY. I feel like I was a fairly good sport and polite and easygoing about the whole 24 hour delay thing, but this was NOT OK. I am standing at the counter, blood boiling, and trying for the life of me not to shoot the messenger. I KNOW it's not their fault and I really try not to get angry at people who are not responsible for screw-ups, because I've been there, and it's just obnoxious. So I tried as patiently as possible to explain the situation and convey the urgency of getting on that flight. They told me to stand at the counter until everyone boarded. I dab at the foam collecting on the corners of my mouth. A few minutes later they call me over to tell me that it's full and I need to talk to the supervisor. He, again, tells me to wait "over there." Moments later I and whisked to the gate and told to run. Whatever. Then I'm led to seat... in first class. Holla!!! You mean I'm not in the undercarriage?! Great. I end up sitting next to another woman who was bumped from yesterday's flight. She is Canadian and lovely - I've yet to meet a Canadian I didn't like. She is a single Mom traveling with her 3 kids and mother and was charged $396 for missing a day at her all-inclusive resort. Perspective. It's amazing how special treatment negates mistreatment. 30 seconds into my oversized seat and I've all but forgotten that little matter of passing me over for important customers and then erasing my flight.
The very first person I meet in Cancun is a retired teacher from NJ. Obviously. She and her husband chose to retire in Cancun because their money goes five times as far here and they could afford to retire earlier. This is the most brilliant thing I've ever heard. I can't believe I hadn't thought about this before. Note to self: retire someplace with an exchange rate in your favor. I drop in at the hostel to stash my bag. Everyone is totally stoned out of their minds. The irony is not lost on me. I'm directed to a top bunk (bummer) that is so high that I can't even sit on the bed - I have to army crawl my way around it. Just in case this isn't common logic to you, I'm really not coordinated for a top bunk situation. I'm always afraid I'll meet my untimely death by missing a step and cracking my head on the tile floor of a hostel. Actually, I can't think of a more appropriate way for me to meet my demise. Clumsiness + travel + being excessively frugal.
After I dropped my stuff, I started walking. This is what I do. I like to take an epic walk around a new place to get a feel for it. No map, no questions, just walking. And walking. And walking. I walked and walked and found my way to a local public beach. Score. It was not touristy at all and I practically had the beach to myself. Eventually I got hungry and walked my way to a little restaurant/hotel on the beach and had some margaritas and tacos. Best margaritas I've ever had. I don't ever want to not be drinking one. After my meal, I decided I was too tired to walk all the way back, so I grabbed a cab. Turns out I walked about 10-15 miles. It happens.
Back at the hostel, I took a quick "Navy Shower" as instructed by the sign in the shower. Now I'm hanging out in the outside garden taking a little respite before the evening festivities. There are rules to Kings posted on the wall above me, so I think that's a good sign.
Oh, did I mention there is a pair of shirtless blonde twins walking around? Let the drinking games begin.
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