[playadreaming]

Departure Eve, Friday April 11th

First let me say that I’m not much of a writer, but I have been appreciative of everyone else who has taken the time to post reports. There have been many an unproductive day at work leading up to our vacation spent on Playa info. It goes without saying that we were very excited about our trip to the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. This was our second trip to the RPRM, and would be our longest trip away from our children.

We booked through Worry Free for April 12th-19th, and were flying from Oklahoma City which is about 1 and ½ hours from here in Tulsa. With the drive time and our departure of 9am, we decided to use some Hilton honors points and stay at the Hampton Inn at the airport. We utilized the Park and Fly program so we didn’t even have to pay for parking. (They were supposed to charge $29, but didn't because of my point status. It's still a bargain @ $4 and change a day.)

Usually I am something of an obsessive compulsive planner (itineraries, checklists, etc), but was trying to play it cool for this trip. Our loose plan was to go to work until noon, then home to finish packing, say goodbye to kids before leaving, and stop off at bank on the way to OKC.

This was not a good idea. We received tons of rain on Thursday and all roads but one leading into town were closed on Friday morning, and even the schools were closed. So we packed everything up, and took the long way into Tulsa. Then off to my work to basically say, see ya’ll we’re leaving. Grannies’ to drop the kids off. Last stop, let Kylee off at work to check on things while I run by the bank. Everything is still good.

At the bank, I chat it up with the teller about our big trip. She was curious why I would want ones anyway. I walk out thinking maybe I shouldn’t have went on and on about Playa. I’m always jealous when others tell me about their trips, and I’m stuck at work, oh well. Wait where are my keys anyway? WTF? Frantic searching of parking lot, the teller’s station, walkway…I’m literally laying on the floor of the bank looking under anything and everything. Why is this happening to me? Maybe somebody grabbed the keys and they’re back outside emptying the car.

Outside nobody’s around, the car is locked and keys aren’t in the ignition. Call Kylee at work, and she suggests checking the car. I inform her I’ve already done that (and not in a nice way), and we hang up. Maybe I should check the car again….keys sitting in passenger seat. How did that happen? Call locksmith, then wife. It is decided that I will not be responsible for keys the remainder of the trip. Again, I would like to apologize to my wife.

Thirty minutes later we are off to the City. Dinner and early to bed. Fell asleep watching “Walk Hard, the Dewey Cox story” (what’s up with $10.99 for a movie anyway?) Hope that I’ve used up all bad trip incidents today. Tomorrow we’ll be in paradise….