Summer 2023 - Mexico - Playa del Carmen

Black Saturdays. The concept from our 2020 Roadtrip along the Atlantic coast has a Grande Return. The term refers to our typically extra-intense day of changing places including check-out/cleaning, travelling (taxi, flights, searching car-rentals, driving among irrespectable people), finding hotel/house, checking-in, grocery shopping (super tiring), preparing dinner, washing laundry, showering and calming kids to bed, intending with my husband to celebrate our heroism with a glass of Chardonnay, but rarely made it before dropping out of shere fatigue. This time the exhausting day started at 3.30 am in Juan Dolio Dominican Republic and ended here in Mexico's Playa del Carmen. I am comfortably writing this entry from the comfort of my bed. I have been waiting this moment like full moon for several months. Not only is the above items checked for today, also the most adventurous part of our journey is behind. I have been ill-anxious about so many aspects regarding this summer's trip you probably would not expect of such a seasoned traveller as I am (or maybe because of that, eh): whether to give malaria prevention to kids or not, how about the mosquito net (not given and they are now fully patched with mosquito bites), travellers illness ( we've all had it now for a week and my well-established medical cabinet is half-empty), flying a long-haul low-cost airline (landed in one piece, still not enjoying), the safety in DR (can kids go to toilet by themselves without being kidnapped- yes they did at the hotel areas, apparently more of a problem in mx as I learned). What else have I worried? Oh, the quality of wifi connection at the hotels and how to manage the time difference (no issues) . My scare list goes on (sorry for the boring listings): No-show paid taxi (happened today), night travelling in Santo Domingo (scary as hell in a taxi for 4 persons accomodating 6 with our shitcases BELTED in the open trunk!), ultra low-cost, ultra bumpy and frightening flight to Cancun, driving from Cancun to Playa (even the nice gentlemanny venezuelan flight pilot in Santo Domingo airport warned about Cancun not being safe and to keep eyes on kids at all times). Back to this moment of bliss and relief. As said I hope to beleive the most stressful part of our trip is behind. Now my energies will be canalised to welcoming my lovely mexican little sister with us in a few days!!! And by the way today is my first day of Holidays! Welcome Playa and good vibes!! Finally, Thank you my Dear Loving Guardian Angels for having brought us here safe. Namaste.