My PlayaLingua Adventure

[trishab83]

Originally Posted by zelda

Trisha and Doris: (and others who might be able to answer this)

What made you decide on Playlingua vs the other schools? I'm very torn between PL and IH Riviera Maya.

I think if PL had a common kitchen for the students and fridges in the rooms like IH does, I wouldn't look back.

To be honest, I didn't really look into any other schools. I found PlayaLingua online, saw it in person, thought it was adorable and signed up.

I did find out last week that there is a refrigerator on the upper level where the one bedroom dorms are and it is free for everyone to use. My teacher also said last week that students are allowed to use the kitchen if they would like.

[trishab83]

Originally Posted by Sunny20

well chica.. when are you going to be drunk like a skunk with me..??
send me a text when u feel like.. we can practice your spanish with my friends..

Ahhh, I know!! I can't believe I've been here for over two weeks and have only seen you that one time! I've been so freaking busy. Sounds stupid when this is supposed to be part vacation, but I've really always been busy doing something.
I'm really REALLY dreading going home on Saturday. These 3 weeks went by sooooo fast. I'll text you next time I'm out and about.

[trishab83]

I'm a bad updater.

But for now...
Last night we had dinner at Sushi Tlan. Had never previously heard of it, but saw it in a magazine and it caught our attention. Very reasonably priced, good sushi. We ordered three different kinds of rolls, one with octopus, one with crab and one with spicy tuna. We all shared and there was no way we could eat it all. Sushi is one of those foods that I always feel will leave me hungry, but that's never the case. My dad had a michelada, my mom and I had soda and our bill only $24. Despite our full stomachs, we decided to stop at Hagen-Daas on the way home, where our bill was more than our dinner bill. Definitely won't be making that mistake again.

Octopus on the left, crab in the middle, tuna picante on the right:


Sorry I don't remember the actual names of the rolls, only the kinds of fish we ordered.

This adorable chihuahua, Frida, was hanging out at Sushi Tlan too. I just had to have a picture with her! I also wanted to take her home with me. She would TOTALLY fit in my purse! I should mention that the owners also had an adorable Scottie that we had to pay attention to as well. He got a bit jealous.


On our way to and from Sushi Tlan we walked past Lomito's and it smelled delicious! I wanted to go to Babe's tonight, but it was packed when we walked by so we headed to Lomito's. We all had arrachera and it was really good. The service was lackluster; we waited a very long time for our drinks, didn't ever recieve the second order of fries that we ordered (though we really didn't need it either) but the guy was nice, we were full and that's all that mattered. On our way back, we walked past Di Vino and I spotted a familiar face. I wasn't sure so I went back again and then stood in the street for 5 minutes deciding whether I wanted to make a fool of myself and ask for a picture.
Turns out I'm really good at making a fool of myself and did so. This is the result:



You might recognize them from Gilmore Girls. Or maybe just her from Bad Santa. You might not recognize her at all, but I've always been a fan of the characters she's played and was very excited to see her in my favorite town! I've been to both LA and NYC and never spotted a celebrity except on stage and here I am in PdC... Guess even the celebs are getting away from the Cabos and enjoying this amazing place!

And in case you're wondering what I've been up to... its mostly been school, eating and meeting up with friends in town. I've taken so much advice from this board on places to eat, drink, etc. and I'm having a great time and enjoying all of my experiences. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!

ALSO... Nancy- I am now 100% sure that I saw you walking past the Tequila Barrell one night last week. I only caught you out of the corner of my eye, but thought it was you only didn't realize you were visiting. Then I saw your trip report and was really bummed I didn't chase you down!
I think I've finally decided that teaching Spanish is what I want to do. I have a long way to go, but its the only thing that I've ever really been passionate about. Though I didn't ever declare a major, my first year of college was general studies with an emphasis on elementary education and Spanish. At the time I wanted to be a Spanish teacher at a 1st or 2nd grade level. But also at that time there were tons of school referendums being passed, which was causing Spanish to be dropped from many schools, especially in the elementary levels. So with a horrible job outlook, I transferred to a technical school to find something else and now have an associate's degree in Meeting and Event Management. But here I am now, still wanting to be a Spanish teacher. So I guess its back to school for me! If only going to school back in Wisconsin were as great as it is here!

[lolabella]

Great update Trisha!

So exciting to see Lauren Graham!! I had never watched an eppy of Gilmore Girls until last summer. Thanks to netflix, I breezed through all the seasons, except for the last. She seems like she'd be very accomdating about having her picture taken.

[trishab83]

As long as I'm here...
Its a beautiful night here at La Tortuga so I'm just sitting, enjoying the weather and scenery while getting caught up on e-mails, Crackbook, etc.
Some more pics from my time here:

Dinner at Agora restaurant at La Tortuga
grilled salmon, seafood linguini and lobster spaghetti
oh yeah, and a bloody mary, sangria and (?can't seem to remember the other?)


Excited to see my papa bear!


The view from our swim up room:

[trishab83]

My first Babe's experience!
It started with mango margaritas...


We also had crab rolls, two of us had the Thai chicken noodles, and Melissa had the Thai fried chicken. We all loved it so much we went back a few days later. I think that might also be my "last Playa meal" but we're not going to think about that now...

After dinner on this particular night, we purchased a few $1 beers and walked around the street with them. In Wisconsin, this is a huge crime and you will undoubtedly get a ticket for it so my friend Michele (the one in the middle) thought it was a great treat to have open intoxicants on the street. We had a few beers, then purchased some vodka and orange fanta and continued to walk the streets with our drinks.



We took a rest at the end of 5th:


And here I must do a small tribute to my amazing friend Melissa. Some of you may know the song "Shawty Got Low" by Flo Rida. All day long, Melissa had this song in her head and was wanting to hear it. It just so happened that as we were sitting on the steps, it started blaring from Carlos 'N Charlies. She freaked out and started her impromptu solo dance party. It was hilarious.

"Shawty had them apple bottom jeans,"


"the boots with the fur (with the fur!)"...


She would probably kill me if she knew this was here, and obviously its not as funny to all of you, but it was definitely a trip highlight. I had to include it. I have the greatest friends!

[trishab83]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Great update Trisha!

So exciting to see Lauren Graham!! I had never watched an eppy of Gilmore Girls until last summer. Thanks to netflix, I breezed through all the seasons, except for the last. She seems like she'd be very accomdating about having her picture taken.

I was also a fan of the show, but missed the final season as well. She was friendly, and I tried not to cause a scene. Most people probably didn't even recognize her and I'm not sure why I did amongst all of the other people around, but I'm one of those gossip mag obsessed people so go figure! She's also incredibly beautiful in person. I mention how she needed to get some sun, but then realized that the reason she looks so young is due to the fact that she doesn't go in the sun. If only I were content without a tan...

[monte]

WOW, I am so sorry I didn't see this thread earlier. What a wonderful lady you areI loved reading this thread and will look forward to more. You seem like such an awsome person and I wish you all the wonderful things life has to offer you.

[isomami]

OMG you met Lorelai and Michel?! What a lucky woman you are; having good time in Playa, learning Spanish and meeting celebrities

Btw, I did see the whole last season of Gilmore Girls, as all the others

[janied]

I'm really enjoying reading about your adventure, Trisha!

(You are so cute!)

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by isomami

OMG you met Lorelai and Michel?! What a lucky woman you are; having good time in Playa, learning Spanish and meeting celebrities

Btw, I did see the whole last season of Gilmore Girls, as all the others

Holy crap! I just realized that was Michel!! Are they dating?

[zelda]

Well, yesterday morning I was walking right by IH, so decided to stop in and check it out. The staff were very friendly and were happy to show me the school and a couple of classrooms in progress. They then got someone to take me over to the residence a few blocks over and show me around there too. So I think today after my coffee and Internet fix, I will wander over to Playalingua and get another tour (last one I did was 3 years ago) and do the comparison. From my memory, PL is a little more cozy Mexican feeling while IH is a little more stark colonial feeling. Perhaps I will see you in one of the classrooms this morning!

I was at Babes for dinner last night too. It was so yummy, and my choice in meal was much better than the first time I was there a couple years ago.

[Maverick69]

Great report. It definitely has my interest . Good job.

[maestranba]

Originally Posted by trishab83

ALSO... Nancy- I am now 100% sure that I saw you walking past the Tequila Barrell one night last week. I only caught you out of the corner of my eye, but thought it was you only didn't realize you were visiting. Then I saw your trip report and was really bummed I didn't chase you down!

Too bad you didn't just run up to me like you did to the celebrity!! I would have loved to meet you. I thought of you when we were walking past Playalingua. I wondered what you look like!

I think it's a great idea to follow your passion. I love what I do, the vacation time is great, and it sure helps to speak Spanish when visiting Mexico!

Enjoy the rest of your time there, and soak up as much as possible. It won't be the same learning it back home that's for sure!

[care-bear]

I love the Gilmore Girls...i think i have seen each episode at least once...i also own all of the seasons...you could say im (almost) obsessed! I would have gone up and asked for a picture also! enjoying your report!