Time: none
Distance: none
This morning I got up and headed out to 5th Ave. to make some last purchases before going over to the spa for a massage and, dare I say, pedicure. I got what I needed from one of the few stores that were opened and then had enough time to go get Whit and take the shuttle to the Spa & Golf Course part of the resort. The massage was relaxing but pretty soft focusing on my back and arms. Afterward I went to the hydrotherapy room for a sauna, wet sauna, jacuzi and cold bath. I took the time to stretch out well hoping that my hip would loosen up in the warmth. During this time I downed 3 glasses of chlorophyll which is apparently supposed to cure everything that ails you. I hope it cures my hip and doesn't have adverse effects when combined with Celebrex which I started taking today. I was tempted to paint my toenails black, but opted not to as time was ticking until my noon departure for the airport.
My family met me down at the hotel lobby and a few pictures were snapped with the kiddos before departing on a van to the airport 4.5 hours early. I was in the van with a couple from North Carolina who had also lived in Arkansas and a family from Texas. I didn't say anything and let them assume that with my browned skin that I wasn't English speaking. I think it worked because they didn't ask me to take part in their conversation about pronunciating words so that the bar tender brings "coconut rum" and not a "coke and rum."
Before boarding the plane I was able to peruse the duty free shops but didn't make any purchases other than a bag of oreos to get rid of my pesos. Of note, when we arrived 100 pesos was equal to about $10 pesos but on our last few days 100 pesos was more like $9.50. Anyway, after a few hours wandering around and managing to get on the internet after an overpriced beer at Bumba Gump Shrimp the family arrived for one last hurrah. We toasted to next year, had one last beer and I was off back to the U.S. in desperate need to start running again otherwise this marathon thing might be a disaster.
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
First Day of the Olympics
Today marks the first day of the Olympic Games and I was able to catch some of the opening ceremony this morning before leaving the hotel. The Chinese love fireworks and it certainly showed in their kickoff to the greatest 2 weeks of sport. My mom sent me this quote a few weeks ago:
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." -- Pierre de Coubertin
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." -- Pierre de Coubertin
Playa del Carmen Exploration
Time: none
Distance: none
Today the family spent most of the day out at the pool while Whitney and I walked along 5th Ave. Playa del Carmen style. Our main goal was to do a little shopping for ourselves and friends, but after walking all the way past the strip we decided to keep going and our mission changed to finding a place to get my hair cut. We ventured into the more "real" parts of Playa that weren't so touristy. We were just at the edge of town where new condos were being built and old shops would be going out of business. Whit got a few cat calls from the construction workers, but we trucked on and made our way up to another street that was more trafficked. There were quite a few launderias and some some convenient like stores that were sprinkled throughout the streets. The most interesting sites we saw were a gym that looked relatively clean and up to date and a sports complex. There was a soccer field, stands that could hold a few thousand, a dirt track (una pista), two tennis courts, two basketball courts and some other areas for other sports. It would have been cool to see a game but the field looked to be undergoing repairs.
We finally made it back to the main drag and I made my second purchase of the trip. The first purchase was made last night in a pharmacy. I was able to pick up 30 tablets of Celebrex for $120 because Glenn swears it works. I hope it does and I hope I can get it back through customs. My second purchase comprised of three woven hats that were listed at 1300 pesos (~$130) apiece. The quality was great and the owner of the store was showing me how it could be crumbled and retake its shape without concern. Most of the hats that are outside the stores are coated with some sort of substance that makes them brittle and rough to the touch. These ones are soft and flexible and worth the price but not $130. I was able to talk the guy down to $120 for 3 of them which I thought was a pretty good deal, and I was on my way. After a quick walk on the beach and Whit's purchase of ice cream it was back to the hotel for some pool time.
Distance: none
Today the family spent most of the day out at the pool while Whitney and I walked along 5th Ave. Playa del Carmen style. Our main goal was to do a little shopping for ourselves and friends, but after walking all the way past the strip we decided to keep going and our mission changed to finding a place to get my hair cut. We ventured into the more "real" parts of Playa that weren't so touristy. We were just at the edge of town where new condos were being built and old shops would be going out of business. Whit got a few cat calls from the construction workers, but we trucked on and made our way up to another street that was more trafficked. There were quite a few launderias and some some convenient like stores that were sprinkled throughout the streets. The most interesting sites we saw were a gym that looked relatively clean and up to date and a sports complex. There was a soccer field, stands that could hold a few thousand, a dirt track (una pista), two tennis courts, two basketball courts and some other areas for other sports. It would have been cool to see a game but the field looked to be undergoing repairs.
We finally made it back to the main drag and I made my second purchase of the trip. The first purchase was made last night in a pharmacy. I was able to pick up 30 tablets of Celebrex for $120 because Glenn swears it works. I hope it does and I hope I can get it back through customs. My second purchase comprised of three woven hats that were listed at 1300 pesos (~$130) apiece. The quality was great and the owner of the store was showing me how it could be crumbled and retake its shape without concern. Most of the hats that are outside the stores are coated with some sort of substance that makes them brittle and rough to the touch. These ones are soft and flexible and worth the price but not $130. I was able to talk the guy down to $120 for 3 of them which I thought was a pretty good deal, and I was on my way. After a quick walk on the beach and Whit's purchase of ice cream it was back to the hotel for some pool time.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Mexican Sea Horses
Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
This afternoon Whit and I took a bus to Isla Mujeres for some snorkeling and more fun in the sun. We boarded the boat along with 80 or so other people and headed just off the coast the the world's second largest reef. By second largest, I might have misunderstood and Discovery Channel may have rated the reef the world's second best. Regardless, Whit and I snorkeled in either the world's second largest reef, or the second best reef (as rated by Discovery) this afternoon along with 80 of our closest friends. The fish were plentiful and the water was salty. I'm not the best snorkeler but by the end of the afternoon I was feeling pretty comfortable looking at a sting ray our guide somehow managed to find. Some people claimed to have seen a barracuda, but I'm not sure what one looks like so perhaps I saw it too. The fish were relatively colorful, but I had no idea what they were. Let's just say it was tuna, mackerel, salmon and Nemo because that is what I like in my sushi. I was trying to touch them most of the time but no matter how sneaky you were they would move just out of reach every time. Finally toward the end of our hour long snorkeling session I managed to slap one and it was a bit rigid, almost cut my hand and I decided to stop.
Once we got back on shore there were a few more activities that we could do:
Distance: n/a
This afternoon Whit and I took a bus to Isla Mujeres for some snorkeling and more fun in the sun. We boarded the boat along with 80 or so other people and headed just off the coast the the world's second largest reef. By second largest, I might have misunderstood and Discovery Channel may have rated the reef the world's second best. Regardless, Whit and I snorkeled in either the world's second largest reef, or the second best reef (as rated by Discovery) this afternoon along with 80 of our closest friends. The fish were plentiful and the water was salty. I'm not the best snorkeler but by the end of the afternoon I was feeling pretty comfortable looking at a sting ray our guide somehow managed to find. Some people claimed to have seen a barracuda, but I'm not sure what one looks like so perhaps I saw it too. The fish were relatively colorful, but I had no idea what they were. Let's just say it was tuna, mackerel, salmon and Nemo because that is what I like in my sushi. I was trying to touch them most of the time but no matter how sneaky you were they would move just out of reach every time. Finally toward the end of our hour long snorkeling session I managed to slap one and it was a bit rigid, almost cut my hand and I decided to stop.
Once we got back on shore there were a few more activities that we could do:
- para sailing
- jet skiing
- speed boating
- horse back riding
- lounging
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Adios Emily
Time: none
Distance: none
My aunt Emily left this afternoon around 1 for a 5 o'clock flight. Apparently the hotels have some deal worked out with the airport to take visitors ridiculously early. Today I spent most of the day at the pool getting charred shoulders and sipping on cervezas. Around 4 pm the resort's beach activity was soccer so I went down and played a little 4 v. 4. It was hard to tell how my skills were because the sand made it difficult to run or do moves. I scored the final goal of the match which was served in from the ocean and I headed the ball between the two overturned beach chairs we were using for goals. Overall it was fun and I don't think it helped or hurt my hip.
Distance: none
My aunt Emily left this afternoon around 1 for a 5 o'clock flight. Apparently the hotels have some deal worked out with the airport to take visitors ridiculously early. Today I spent most of the day at the pool getting charred shoulders and sipping on cervezas. Around 4 pm the resort's beach activity was soccer so I went down and played a little 4 v. 4. It was hard to tell how my skills were because the sand made it difficult to run or do moves. I scored the final goal of the match which was served in from the ocean and I headed the ball between the two overturned beach chairs we were using for goals. Overall it was fun and I don't think it helped or hurt my hip.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Mayan Zip Lines
Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
Today Whit, Emily and I woke up early for Mexico (7:00 am) and headed out to catch a tour van that would take us to some zip lines. We weren't really sure what we were getting ourselves into considering that the girls had to return to the hotel to get their bathing suits because there were more activities planned than just zip lines. Upon arriving at the site we saw some Mayan dogs that were noteworthy because while they were about the size of a typical family pet in the U.S., these dogs had huge balls. I don't think the dog population control is of much concern here in Mexico.
After storing our belongings we headed off to the first sétono to be blessed by a Mayan shaman. We were told that he was asking the gods for permission to enter the pools and to keep us safe while we were visiting in Mexico. The shaman used some sort of tree resin to make his bowl of embers incredibly smokey and the cave ridiculously hot. One member from our group was a rotund dude from North Carolina who worked for BofA and he sweated like a beast, but so did the shaman. Now that we were blessed by the Mayan shaman and would receive total consciousness upon entering the sétonos, we were off along the path, which was nice and we had that going for us.
The first water pool was cold, dark and full of stalagtites. It reminded the group of the Batman's cave mainly because there were a few bats in there. We swam around and marveled at the experience before heading on to the second pool that was similar. In contrast the second pool was a bit deeper and the cave wasn't as high, but it was just as spectacular. Later it was on back towards the village to climb down into one last pool and then ride bikes out to the zip lines. I thought that the fixed gear mountain bike was an interesting choice to put guests on but they were fine. The ride was about 2k long and the terrain gently rolled. I'm afraid to admit that the short bike ride to and from the zip lines might have been the best part, but a guy in our group on the way back to the hotel agreed with me.
The zip lines were all relatively short but sweet. We had a fun time flying over the jungles and mangroves, but were tired and ready to call it a day. There was one more activity planned and that was a Mayan lunch back at the village. There were 4 or 5 women in an open kitchen preparing a meal of fresh fruit, chicken, vegetable soup, rice, beans and, my favorite, empanadas. They were filled with shredded chicken or beef and weren't too greasy, as some can be.
It was a long but fun day that was mostly unexpected. Whit, Emily and I were thinking that the tour was mainly going to be zip lines and discovered that we were to be swimming in caves. Pretty cool regardless.
Distance: n/a
Today Whit, Emily and I woke up early for Mexico (7:00 am) and headed out to catch a tour van that would take us to some zip lines. We weren't really sure what we were getting ourselves into considering that the girls had to return to the hotel to get their bathing suits because there were more activities planned than just zip lines. Upon arriving at the site we saw some Mayan dogs that were noteworthy because while they were about the size of a typical family pet in the U.S., these dogs had huge balls. I don't think the dog population control is of much concern here in Mexico.
After storing our belongings we headed off to the first sétono to be blessed by a Mayan shaman. We were told that he was asking the gods for permission to enter the pools and to keep us safe while we were visiting in Mexico. The shaman used some sort of tree resin to make his bowl of embers incredibly smokey and the cave ridiculously hot. One member from our group was a rotund dude from North Carolina who worked for BofA and he sweated like a beast, but so did the shaman. Now that we were blessed by the Mayan shaman and would receive total consciousness upon entering the sétonos, we were off along the path, which was nice and we had that going for us.
The first water pool was cold, dark and full of stalagtites. It reminded the group of the Batman's cave mainly because there were a few bats in there. We swam around and marveled at the experience before heading on to the second pool that was similar. In contrast the second pool was a bit deeper and the cave wasn't as high, but it was just as spectacular. Later it was on back towards the village to climb down into one last pool and then ride bikes out to the zip lines. I thought that the fixed gear mountain bike was an interesting choice to put guests on but they were fine. The ride was about 2k long and the terrain gently rolled. I'm afraid to admit that the short bike ride to and from the zip lines might have been the best part, but a guy in our group on the way back to the hotel agreed with me.
The zip lines were all relatively short but sweet. We had a fun time flying over the jungles and mangroves, but were tired and ready to call it a day. There was one more activity planned and that was a Mayan lunch back at the village. There were 4 or 5 women in an open kitchen preparing a meal of fresh fruit, chicken, vegetable soup, rice, beans and, my favorite, empanadas. They were filled with shredded chicken or beef and weren't too greasy, as some can be.
It was a long but fun day that was mostly unexpected. Whit, Emily and I were thinking that the tour was mainly going to be zip lines and discovered that we were to be swimming in caves. Pretty cool regardless.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mexican XT
Time: 80 mins of work
Distance: 2 miles of running
This morning after a couple cups of coffee Stuart, Emily and I ran over to the fitness center. It is a little over a mile and I ran it just over 10 minutes or so. I wasn't really looking to test my leg but it was a good warm up. My hip felt decent and the rest is definitely helping. Once we are at the facility I biked for 30 minutes at a good clip and then did some strength exercises. The girls were using some performance stretching machine in the other room so I decided to get on the elliptical for however long they were going to be. Turned out that I got in another 30 minutes and a bit of stretching. I felt pretty good on the jog back to the hotel too.
Distance: 2 miles of running
This morning after a couple cups of coffee Stuart, Emily and I ran over to the fitness center. It is a little over a mile and I ran it just over 10 minutes or so. I wasn't really looking to test my leg but it was a good warm up. My hip felt decent and the rest is definitely helping. Once we are at the facility I biked for 30 minutes at a good clip and then did some strength exercises. The girls were using some performance stretching machine in the other room so I decided to get on the elliptical for however long they were going to be. Turned out that I got in another 30 minutes and a bit of stretching. I felt pretty good on the jog back to the hotel too.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
¡Viva Mexico!
Time: none
Distance: none
Today I flew to Mexico with a quick layover in Houston, TX. The flight was uneventful, but I invited Meagan's co-worker Gabe to challenge me in a race on the tarmac. He never showed, so I'll take that as a victory.
After arriving in Cancun it took 30+ mins to get through customs. Luckily I didn't get detained and just before walking up to the counter I spotted Dave. Earlier in the week I mentioned that I would see them at the airport, either at the bar or detained in customs. Since I made it through customs I had to find a bar. There was a tiki looking hut outside with a man pouring drinks so I ordered a Negra Modelo and walked around drinking and looking for the family. I was waiting for quite some time and ordered another round, but luckily the family came soon and we were off to Playacar Palace.
We got to the hotel in the evening and had dinner downstairs at the Mexican buffet. It was the first time I had eaten that day so I took advantage. The tequila shots weren't that bad either...
Distance: none
Today I flew to Mexico with a quick layover in Houston, TX. The flight was uneventful, but I invited Meagan's co-worker Gabe to challenge me in a race on the tarmac. He never showed, so I'll take that as a victory.
After arriving in Cancun it took 30+ mins to get through customs. Luckily I didn't get detained and just before walking up to the counter I spotted Dave. Earlier in the week I mentioned that I would see them at the airport, either at the bar or detained in customs. Since I made it through customs I had to find a bar. There was a tiki looking hut outside with a man pouring drinks so I ordered a Negra Modelo and walked around drinking and looking for the family. I was waiting for quite some time and ordered another round, but luckily the family came soon and we were off to Playacar Palace.
We got to the hotel in the evening and had dinner downstairs at the Mexican buffet. It was the first time I had eaten that day so I took advantage. The tequila shots weren't that bad either...
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