Cancun or Bust

3:00pm 12/24
We are sitting on the plane in Salt Lake City getting ready for take off. It was an eventful morning. Alyssa said she thought we should leave by noon. Since our flight didn't leave until 3:18, I thought leaving by 1pm would be soon enough. Alyssa prevailed thankfully because we had to go to the bank, and ended up forgetting my medicine. Of course we had to return to the house to get that. Finally, we were on the road. As we drove down Timpanogos Highway, someone in an adjacent car alerted us to the fact that our back tire was low and needed air. We stopped at the Thanksgiving Point Maverick station and got air, then continued up to the airport. Alyssa drove so mom could rest. Meanwhile, Amy got Gma's wheelchair down to Steven's and made preparations to stay at Camilla's home before their flight tomorrow. 

Our group is headed to LAX where we have a layover before we continue on to Mexico City. We are sitting in one long row. Emily is next to the window with Linda on her right. I come next and then the isle. Melanie is sitting across the isle and Alyssa is to her right. Jerimiah is at the far right and next to the window. Reading, sleeping, eating, and listening to tunes. For a number of years we had talked to the children at Christmas time and presented the idea "would you like to travel somewhere for Christmas?" they always declined, until last year. More of the children were married now and the only child home with me and Linda was Emily, so they said next year they indeed wanted to travel. It just so happened that this year all of the married children were spending this Christmas with us, so we started making plans.

At first, I began looking all over the Internet at our options. We considered California, discussed San Diego, and even checked into the baja, but nothing stood out supreme. Our search lead us to homeaway.com, where we looked at lots of great destinations. Everybody agreed that we should go someplace warm. I kept looking. In the meantime, I instructed everyone to talk with their employers and get Christmas through New Years off. I thought we know the timeframe of the trip even if we don't know the destination. "Get the holidays off, then we'll figure out where we are going." About June I happened to be reviewing great destinations on the homeaway site. So many looked really good. One in particular villa that I found had super reviews--straight 5s--and it looked really good. I called the owner, Terri, to check on its availability, and it turns out that it was still available. When we explained that wanted it for a week including both Christmas and New Years, she said that they normally rent it for two occasions during the holidays, but if we wanted to take it for ten days, we could have both holidays. I said that we would take it and she agreed to send us the contract and more detailed information. I must have known more than I remember now, but it turns to to be right on the beach in Cancun with four bedrooms, two living rooms, two kitchens, and a private access to our own beach. I can hardly believe it all worked out so well. When I begin typing these details, I can hardly believe how this all came together.

When I arranged for the flights, I happened to get them in two different groups, the first group leaving Christmas Eve, and the second group leaving on Christmas day. So by 3pm tomorrow, we will all be in Cancun Mexico for Christmas. 

4:00pm
We arrived at LAX and had dinner at a place called lemonade.  It was recommended by Caitlin. Melanie told us about it, and it turned out to be great. Then we walked down to terminal 2 to wait for our plane. When we arrived at our gate there was essentially no one there; a few lone bodies but that was it. We still had a few hours to wait. The kids played cards and charged their cell phones. Before long people began coming and sitting in the seats to await boarding. They were mostly hispanics and now every seat is filled with young and o,d on their way to Mexico City. We still have an hour or two before we board,so the kids continue to play cards. I am listening to music while I type this. Mostly Steven's songs. I can't help but smile as I listen to them. 
It's cold in this airport. Funny. Probably warmer outside. I am so glad I brought a jacket. All the seats are filled and now people's are beginning to sit around the floor--we still have an hour before we begin boarding. It's great. This is the best.  

11:46pm
Re-read the packet from Terri regarding the villa and Cancun. Shared a few texts with Steven. We just re-verified our passports with the gate attendants. Every person waiting for this flight and all those working are Hispanics. It feels like we are already in Mexico. This is so cool.

5:58am
Mexico City
Went through customs. Dropped our luggage off at connections. And now we are waiting for the next flight to Cancun, which leaves at 7:25 and is in the air for 2 hours. We arrive at 10:20 this morning.

It's amazing how cool it is at the airport in Mexico. Luckily, we got blankets on the last flight, which helped. For the most part everyone is resting: Linda and Melanie are resting on Emily's lap, and Emily in turn is laying on mom's back. Jeremiah and Alyssa are laying on the floor, covered with a blanket. All our technology is plugged in a charging station, which are plentiful here. I feel liken I need to stay awake, so somebody doesn't walk off with someone's phone. The airport is still a hopping place even at this time in the morning.  All announcements, speaking, and written dialogue are in Spanish now. 

I met Abraham while we were waiting in Mexico City. He is a firefighter from California coming to stay with his mom in Mexico for a couple years. Nice man talkative and friendly. When we caught our flight, the plane was delayed some, but we finally got going and we are about to land in Cancun.

2:00pm
It's cloudy today, so we aren't threatened by the sun and sunburning. The veranda is adorned with large green plants surrounding it and quaint mexican history pots and rock work.

Welcome to Cancun. Beautiful. Warm. And that's before leaving the airport. After getting through multiple solicitations for taxi rides, car rentals, and shuttle services, we finally got a good taxi driver to take us to the hotel Sylomar. We found our villa right on the beach, and Doris was inside preparing lunch. After checking the rooms and unpacking, we sat down for a delicious meal on our private veranda: chile rellenos, fresh guacamole, hot sauce and chips served with a fresh, large green salad. She has prepared the meal for the next group and it is in the fridge and oven respectively. Linda, Melanie, and Emily are resting on chase lounges, then going for a walk. The beach is superb. Blue water and fairly large waves. I am sitting here in disbelief that this turned out so well. Our private veranda is adorned with quaint patio furniture and lush green plants. It's probably 75 degrees outside.łm.

We have been blessed all day by those who have been giving of their Christmas Day to make our vacation exquisite and memorable. 

We have so much to thankful for. The Lord has smiled on our efforts. 

Feliz Navidad !

How sweet it is.