Having just spent a wonderful week in Cancun (where the winds were soft and the Caribbean daily offered smoothly rolling waves that were absolutely divine!!) , we celebrated Sandy's birthday with dinner at Harry's (topped off not just by their signature cotton candy to soothe diners over the cost of the bill, but also a specially prepared chocolate chocolate chocolate birthday dessert). Our car, which has been the cause of some concern for its non-functioning suspension system, performed perfectly during the 180 miles (300 km) roundtrip, so we feel optimistic about driving it out.
Now, we are now buzzing around organizing and discussing and planning our car drive north from Merida to Illinois. Should we take the cuota and go via DF or the awful, tope-ridden road along the Gulf coast? Should we pack up dishes and silverware and towels and sheets in order to stay in the north for the summer?? What have we not worn here in Merida these last almost four years that we might get away with up in Chicago??? Can we trust our garage door that apparently opened one night while we were in Cancun and our houseguests soundly sleeping until the police banged on the doors and woke them up? And what shall we pack up the Waterford crystal in to bring it to Marilla and Rhodri for their wedding gift????
And we notice that there are 4 separate clumps of amaryllis blooming, one set of orchids on the wall is blooming, the aloe is attracting many hummingbirds with its yellow blossoms, the sandpaper plan has cascades of indigo blue flowers, and our pseudobombar has lost every last leaf and looks more than anorexic. Our pool is finally warm enough even for Sandy. However, the Yucatan is anticipating a warmer than usual summer with predictions for record heat in May, June, and July, so off we go for a leisurely drive north and hopefully, an easy border crossing back into the US. Last time, the US border guards treated us like slimy drug smugglers and all but tore our car apart looking for nonexistent contraband, so we deserve a wave-through this time!
We've paid ahead on electric, water, gas, phone, and suspeneded our cable TV. We will leave money for Jose to pay our garbage costs == 17 pesos per month or about $1.25 == and for his weekly pay -- around $100 -- for the time we're gone. We have synched the iPods for music and podcasts along the way. Our cameras and phones are charged. All the "what the hell" stuff is in a pile waiting to see if there's room. Alex has delivered clothing to us freshly pressed and perfectly fitted, so.... what have we forgotten??? We will think about it after our nap.
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