Mexico, Mishaps, Sayulito, and New Year's Eve

Mexico started with celebrity treatment at the Delta Lounge.  Kate was in love.

Mexico started with a speedbumps--literal and figural.  There are unmarked, unpainted speed bumps all over the roads, and one moment the speed limit sign is 80km/hr and the next it is 40km/hr and a surprise speed bump sends the car flying.  We landed after an easy day of travel, were guided to the Budget shuttle pickup, which was actually not the pickup but a company misdirecting us to private taxis.  All told, the car rental process was well over 3 hours.  In that time, we had lovely conversations with a couple from Big Island and California and enjoyed tacos Brett picked up with a few of the kids during our endless wait.  Brady ran to another rental agency and got a car rental just as Cory finished up with his.  

After a grocery run featuring isles of doll clothes, then food items, then sand toys, then gluten free items, etc., we drove to the hotel, hearing anxiety from Kate because she knew it was our intent to avoid driving at night.  We finally arrived at the hotel and were lucky Cory and Kristen navigated their way to our room and could guide us, too.  No one spoke English, the lobby was empty, we were on Level F2 but none of the buildings or elevators were marked.  We were actually on level 0 of the elevator which was the 3rd level of the hotel!  Puzzle that one out.  Brett and Shireen were also confused about the directions, and a hotel worker drew them a map with no additional explanation.  We laughed so hard.

We made the mistake of passing Tacos Junior and then having no options but hotel nachos--worse than the cheapest ballpark nachos.  That night as we laid in bed after cold showers, we wondered what we were in for on this vacation.

Day 2 started with a late morning filled with Banyan trees, ocean glimpses, and a group workout before driving to Sayulita.

Just ahead of us, we saw Cory slow from an 80km/hr speed to the now-posted 60km/hr.  Brady saw two motorcycles behind us pull into our lane and said, "Cory's about to get pulled over."  Sure enough, the federales demanded his license, telling him he could appear before the magistrate in 2 days.  After a "call to their office," they said he could avoid this by paying $140 USD cash (after ensuring no one in the car had recorded the correspondence).  Extortion at its finest, and if Kate was on edge the night before, she was panicked now.  "There is NO WAY we get out of Mexico without a ticket or worse!"  I spoke to the kids about not judging a place just on a couple experiences and laughed to hear Cory comment in that same ten minutes that he was "one and done" with Mexico.

Sayulito was what we expected of Mexico from our limited exposure--bright colors on buildings, flags overhead, Day of the Dead decor and trinkets, and murals.  We wandered the city, shopped the beads and scarfs and bracelets, and landed at Mary's for the best shrimp tacos of the trip. The kids ordered and ate inside independently and the couples outside.  I loved seeing their confidence as a group, especially after Kate's initial fear.

So stoked after buying a new bracelet.

Christmas trees were simply structures made from wire or wood and wrapped in felt.  Made a lot of sense!

Tacky/witty nod to the blue-footed boobies (birds) found nearby.

I love signs so much.

And what's not to love about a tiny taco (smaller than my palm) hanging as wall decor?

Sayulito is known as a surf town and I'm glad I knew that it was one of the busier beaches.  It was packed!  Zac and I rented boards and surfed the closeouts with 100 of our newest surfer friends.  Elise and Kate joined for the first hour, and I was so happy to see Elise pop up again and again on the choppy waves with a small push.  It is fun to share something like this with someone so athletic!  

Owen and Zachary indulged in some new "Pit Vipers."

We said "No, gracias" to dozens of children, teen and adult vendors offering sticks of shrimp, tamales, bracelets, hair weaving, drinks, and even massage.  Kristen was stung by a bee.  The kids wrestled in the sand and maybe someone read a book?  We all brought a book.  I think maybe one person read a book.  It's one of those unachievable ambitions for me.

More city walking to beach #2 for the day helped us capture more vivid colors, archways, ivy, and murals.

Besides surfing closeouts with Zac and watching Elise win at surfing, the highlight for me was walking through the well-tended cemetery.

The Playo de los Muertos, or beach of the dead, was the site of a charming pre-dinner photo session in gorgeous lighting and uncrowded conditions.  

Our obligatory photo that we will do until we are 80.

Casa Edwards!

For dinner, we made a golden decision to NOT drive past Tacos Junior.  We spent $100 for 90 tacos.  90.  Zachary ate 12, and I ate 3, anticipating my NYE dessert while watching "Coco."  I lasted 20 minutes before falling asleep in a chair upright for the next 90 minutes, but woke up in time to watch the magical fireworks over the ocean and hotels.

This year brought heartbreak and joy and family and friends and surf and trips and love.  I'm overall so grateful for the growth and experiences and wishing/manifesting another year of growth for my family.  We have a long way to go for 2025 in the quest to integrate into our community, build our home, and connect with those who live close and far.  Happy New Year!