[kgargr]

Friday/Saturday, March 11/12<SUP>th

</SUP>My four travelling companions arrived from Iowa around 7 on Friday night. My daughter Gen (19), her friends Jenny (19), Biz (19) and Biz’s mom, Kristy …. We munch some great pizza, make a Target run, and settle in. I am excited to be returning to Playa with my older daughter (see my trip report from last March – with my younger daughter, Alex). But, I am exhausted from closing things out at work, and from getting the house somewhat ready to house 4 additional people. Also, making sure that things are organized for Alex, since she will be staying at both her Dad/Stepmom’s and my parent’s houses ….. I am ready to be in Playa ….. wish I could be ‘beamed’ there.

Saturday, up early, get coffee at Dunn Bros for Kristy and myself, more errands, get Brueggers Bagels for the plane, finish last minute organizing, and leave for the airport around noon.

I am a little anxious/nervous – I have planned this whole thing for the 5 of us. I have never met or spoken to Kristy (Biz’s mom) and just slightly met Jenny and Biz. My first time driving and parking. Drop the girls and luggage off at the airport, then Kristy and I drive to Park N Go (I wasn’t that sure on how to get there) ….. but yes, we find it, take the shuttle back, find the girls, and away we go. Have lots of time, so settle at Chilis for salsa and chips and beverages.

Here we are:




Flight leaves early, around 3 p.m. totally full. Uneventful except for a stretch of turbulence that had me crying. Arrive at Cancun airport around 7:15 ….. not too bad of wait at the first line, then we all get the green, and head out into heat (YES!!!!), humidity and a sea of humanity. The girls spot the driver holding a sign with my last name …. Our private transport arranged through playa.info – I am so glad I did this, was well worth it with 5 people traveling. Don’t like arriving in the dark, but nothing that can be done about it. My daughter instructs me how to say ‘Calle 2 entre 10 and 15’ and we direct our driver to our hotel – Casa de Gopola/Paraiso Azul (small, 16 room hotel .. a cool, calm oasis behind a wall -- totally removed from the activity on 2<SUP>nd</SUP> st.). I checked in …. Payment via travelers checks …… seemed to take forever, but I am somewhat of am impatient person ….. sign, sign, sign, sign …. We have 2 rooms, one with Kristy and myself (60 total per night), one with the 3 girls/3 beds (80 total per night). Add up for 7 nights, divide by 5, lodging cost: 197 per person. Rooms have air conditioning, fridge, ceiling fan, TV adequate water pressure, water coolers outside …. No complaints.

Here are a few pics of the hotel from last year (when my other daughter and I stayed here) …














We are starving, so head out ….. first stop the ATM on 5<SUP>th</SUP>, just south of Calle 2. We start wandering, but I am exhausted and not thinking very clearly … where should I have us eat!!!!! … finally, we randomly plop at Palapa Hemingways ….. too late to pick up our Playa Deal card, will do on Sunday. Everyone liked their meal, not sure if the margaritas were especially strong, or if I was just fatigued, but I felt that one drink in my toes (felt wonderful … sometimes one needs alcohol to induce relaxation). Some of my anxiety began to slip away …. We wandered back south on 5<SUP>th</SUP> … had another drink at the bar/restaurant on the corner of 5<SUP>th</SUP> and Calle 2 – forget the name. Then most of us returned to the hotel ……… to prepare for the beach early in the a.m.