Birdsong's Trip to Cancun with Alec Woodruff

Monday, July 14 - Cancun, Old Town

It was Bastille Day; Club Med is a French company. As we went in to breakfast, there were several GO’s dressed in Colonial French costumes – elaborate white wigs, satin breeches and fabulous dresses. Looked HOT. We did not have our camera with us. Larry wondered aloud if they celebrate Cinco de Mayo, celebrating the day the Mexicans defeated the French occupiers of Mexico City. They won the battle but lost the war. Many Americans assume incorrectly that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day.

Went to Cancun’s Old Town Market 28, “Mercado veinte ocho.” The seat covers of the taxi said, “Paradise All Adult Massage.” The Mercado was row after row of tiny shops—most just an open stall. The whole market was covered by a canvas tarp. The rows between shops were only about 5 feet wide built around and hiding a typical Spanish town square. The market was huge—like a maze. We got lost for a while. We were there at 11 AM, and it was already HOT. A few of the better shops were enclosed with glass and had AC—mostly the silver shops. All the shop owners were encouraging us to go in! Go in!

We entered one air-conditioned silver shop for Alec to look for earrings for Ali. The owner, Jorge (Pronounced Hore Hay” was very talkative and attentive. He said we were his first customers of the day, and that was lucky, because he would give us special prices. Alec said he was interested in the Aztec calendars, and Jorge showed him a lot of different ones before Alec said he was looking for earrings. Apparently he did not have any, but he said, “Wait! And ran across the aisle to get some from another stall. However, they were a dark silver (lots of nickel in the silver) so we started to leave to look elsewhere. Jorge pulled a long, sad face and said, “Now you are going to leave me just like my father did.” And we did. Alec found just what he wanted a little down the row.

We went to other shops, as owners said, “In here! In here! I have the best prices!” The stalls and shops formed the perimeter of an old Spanish style square and restaurant with only outdoor seating under a deep veranda. In the old days, there would have been a fountain at the center of the square providing well water to the town, but much of the center was also covered with stalls.

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Lunch at Jimmy Buffet’s Cancun Margaritaville. Larry had a burger and Alec and I grilled chicken and veggies. Too much food! It was Stacia’s Birthday (Bastille Day) and Alec called home but she was out. He talked to Dad.

Dinner: It was a specials Bastille Day celebration. There were French flags everywhere. Champagne for all. There were huge rubber balls or balloons in the pool. The show was a spectacular outdoor trapeze show with fireworks afterward. Photos by Alec.

July 15, Tuesday - Isla Mujeres

To the van at 7:30 AM to the Ocean Hotel where the pier was for our catamaran to the National Snorkeling “park” off Isla Mujeres, “Island of Women.” There were light winds, so they were able to turn off the motor and hoist the sails. Sailing took 1 ¾ hours. Alec and I dropped off the end of the boat into the water near the reefs. The guide kept us all together and pointed out fish. The current was VERY strong. At one point I swam about 15 feet away from a buoy to look at fish, and in just a couple of minutes I had drifted back and was bumping against it. The water was about 15 to 20 feet deep and very clear. We couldn’t go too near the reef to look at fish because the current would hurl us against the coral. It was definitely the clearest water and greatest variety of sea life of any snorkeling there.

After snorkeling 45 minutes, we reboarded the boat and sailed to the other side of the island for outdoor barbecue alongside a seedy old hotel. After the meal, they announced that we had over one hour before getting back aboard the boat, and suggested we nap in the beach chairs! Wasted time! We could have been snorkeling longer. On to old Isla Mujeres and shopping. It was VERY hot, and the stores were small and junky. We quickly returned to an outdoor restaurant next to the pier to have drinks in the shade and listen to a Mexican band. The return trip on the boat was even better than before—strong winds.

Alec loved sailing! I think it was a first for him. Both to and from Isla Mujeres, he sat at the very front of the boat looking over the bow with his feet dangling over the side. He saw a sting ray that swam right under the bow. On the return trip, Alec was joined at the bow by another kid who was falling asleep. Alec was afraid he would slip overboard.

The crew, four Mexicanos, were very jovial. As we neared Cancun on our return, they all disappeared below deck, put on loud traditional Mexican music, playing “Guadalajara” and came up wearing serapes and sombreros. They were serving tequila to everyone ---from the same glass—and partaking generously themselves! The next song they played and performed was “YMCA!” Alec was cracking up and they played up to him. The obscene photo of the guy with the strategically placed Corono bottle was taken by Alec.

July 16, Wed. - Club Med

Snorkeling AM. PM sailing a catamaran, all three of us. Larry wanted to go, but Alec did most of the sailing. He got frustrated when the wind died—thought he was doing something wrong. Rules: don’t keep the sail too tight. Don’t ever let go of the rudder. Always turn in to the wind. Always keep your back to the wind, swapping sides when you turn. Don’t pee into the wind…

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Alec met an Irish woman who had been coming to Club Med Cancun every year for 15 years. She could speak Gaelic, but never learned any Spanish! He told her he was here with his grandparents, and she may have seen them. “You know, the Santa with a cane.” Yes, she HAD seen us! Dinner at Las Cuelas. Good!