Skipping Town

Officially speeding toward Christmas. After school and work and XC today we went out and got our Christmas tree and weaths for the windows. Usually we get two trees--one for the family room and one for the library--but this morning I got confirmation from our kitchen contractor that we should get only one tree for the library, which means our renovation looks likely to begin this month (a renovation that encompasses the kitchen as well as the entire family room space). So, we got the biggest Christmas tree we could find. It's over 9 feet tall (Andrew had to trim a few inches since the ceiling in the library is 9 feet) and gorgeously wide. I still may decide to squeeze a second tree somewhere in the house--maybe at the top of the stairs?--but for now, we have one beautiful tree. We'll decorate tomorrow. Snow is imminent. My favorite holiday and season are finally here. I wish we could have no school or work for this entire month.

Saturday, November 29 We didn't have to leave the resort until noon on Saturday, so we squeezed in a few last bits of vacation life. Andrew went for a run; I walked to the coffee shop for a latte; we both took a last swim in the pool; we all had breakfast with Molly and Luca before they left for their flight; the girls and I took a last walk on the beach. Then it was really time to go. We piled into the rental car one last time, and Andrew drove us to the airport. The travel day was long but fine. Everything was on time. Back to winter in Pittsburgh. We were very happy to see Farrah and Nutmeg. Sunday, November 30 Mom and Dad spent the night at our house last night not only because we didn't get in until after midnight but also because today we had matinee tickets for Les Mis (booked well before we decided to go to Tulum). We got to the theater early and spent a little time walking around the Market Square Christmas market. Then we saw the show. It was absolutely wonderful--one...

Our final day in Tulum began early with the breakfast buffet. Then Andrew called for our rental car, and we all piled in, squeezing all eight of us into a van meant for seven. Lucia and Luca shared a seatbelt in the middle of the backseat.  Our destination was the Tulum Ruins, not far from the resort. We were talked into having a guide, which turned out to be not much more money than just the entrance fees, and we were very glad we had one. We all learned a lot about the various uses of the buildings that were now ruins, and lots of things about Mayan culture, traditions, and innovations. It was a great visit. The view from the top of the hill where the castillo rests was amazing. Next we drove into downtown Tulum for some souvenir shopping. We bought some lovely dreamcatchers, and Lucia and Greta both bought bracelets. On our way back to the resort we stopped at a big supemarket/superstore called Soriana so Mom and Dad could get a new suitcase, since theirs was damaged beyond repa...

Another spectacular day in Tulum. Nay, not just a day--Thanksgiving in Tulum! We slept in a bit this morning (well, not me; I got up and read on the balcony) and went to the breakfast buffet around 9am. We tried a different one this morning, Vela Sur, with very pretty outdoor seating.  With the whole day ahead, we set up by the pool right outside Casa 3 (where our room is) and spent the morning swimming and reading. The girls ordered hamburgers for lunch but then also came with us to the lunch buffet for desserts. Greta and I took a walk on the beach and collected some pieces of coral. We had several iguana sightings and many hermit crab sightings. Greta rescued on in danger of being stepped on by scooping it onto her book and depositing it in some landscaping. Rain arrived in the mid-afternoon, so we gathered in our room for a game of Code Names. Then Mom and Dad went to their room to relax; I set out with a book to read in the main building; and everyone else went to the gym. I c...

An epic day in Tulum.  This was the day we'd pegged for cenotes. Mom and Dad decided to sit out this excursion and have a relaxing day at the resort. So, early this morning, Andrew, Lucia, Greta, Molly, Luca, and I got up early and went for breakfast at the Vela Norte buffet. I practiced my Spanish while ordering an omelette, a very straightforward interaction I managed to butcher by asking that my omelette be made "very very good kitchen" (instead of "very very well cooked") and that it be made not with egg whites only but with "all the eyes." Obviously I was trying to say "all the eggs." That doesn't make much sense either but it definitely makes more sense that "all the eyes." Then Andrew got our rental car from the valet, and we headed off to the first cenote: Gran Cenote. Though our GPS told us we'd arrived, there was no signage anywhere--just a few parking spaces along a cement wall, and a small building with two turns...

A full day of rest and relaxation in Tulum. This resort is pretty amazing. We started the day with a buffet breakfast at the Vela Norte restaurant, and it was excellent. I tried to sample a little of everything (didn't come close) so I could focus on my favorite things next time.  Then we changed into swimsuits, slathered up with sunscreen, and spent the rest of the morning and afternoon by the pool. We swam mostly in the ocean. It's a beautiful beach, and the girls dove around with their goggles on. The water is so clear. There is a rocky barrier that keeps the waves from getting too wild. We went in and out of the ocean throughout the day, read in our pool chairs, dipped into the pool, ordered food from Seasalt the pool bar. Lucia and Greta are both obsessed with the hamburgers. They both had one for lunch. Lucia also polished off two plates of chips and guacamole.  Mom had a brief spell of illness today, caused by something she ate or drank or maybe just from the heat. But ...