The Best Two Years…Thus Far - Part Uno

Last month we celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary by going to the Mexican Caribbean. It was an experience full of excitement, drama, action, and crazy Mayan ladies. It all began early in the morning of August the fifth. We made our way from Washington DC to Cancun, Mexico via Miami. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by the Caribbean 90+ degree weather. After getting rid of people trying to get us “free” buffets and rides we got our “luxurious” rental car (that is right, we paid more for it so it could have an automatic transmission). It was a GM compact car that is only made in Mexico, I guess we should be grateful that it worked and that we had AC (for most of the time).

Our first destination was a small fishermen village 15 minutes South of Cancun called Puerto Morelos. Our good friend Erika recommended the place and, as a matter of fact, we based most of our itinerary on her recommendations. Puerto Morelos is situated between a lagoon and the Caribbean.

Church at Puerto Morelos

Upon checking in our hotel (Posada el Moro) we made our way to the beach which was only one block away. Katrina could not believe the color of the water nor its warm, warm temperature. We spent a good hour wading our booties, enjoying of the evening Sun, and then we made our way back to our inn. Our inn was not the Hilton but it was very lovely and comely. In fact, the whole town was quaint; quite different from the extravagances of Cancun.

Caribbean Blue

You are not in Puebla anymore Tonio

Lighthouse at Puerto Morelos (evening)

That night we went for dinner in one of the most unique restaurants we have ever been: La Panza es Primero (The Paunch is First). It has a theme of Mexican wrestlers from the golden age of wrestling. Since Katrina is a big Nacho Libre fan, she loved the restaurant and what we loved even more was their Coconut Flan. We loved it so much that we went back the next two nights just to grab dessert.

La Panza es Primero

Coconut Flan! Mmmmm! Yummy!

The next morning the Inn’s owner hooked us up with a retired fisherman named Carmen to go on a snorkel tour of the second largest coral reef in the world. We went early in the morning because that is the best time to see fish and we had an incredible time. We purchase a water-proof camera in the local market and we were able to take some shots; however, our pictures do not give justice to the beauty we witnessed. We saw lots of fish, a lobster, and even a runaway turtle.

View from snorkeling boat

After snorkeling, we made our way to the Cenotes (Cenotes is Spanish for Cenotes). We went to this place called Siete Bocas (Seven Mouths). It was basically seven underground, partially flooded caves connected to each other. We bought our own snorkel and mask and we were able to see the fish swimming in them. Cenotes are very deep so there is no way you can see or touch the floor which makes the whole experience the more exciting.

Sign to Cenote Siete Bocas

Katrina after her 20 foot jump.

The next morning we made our way to the beach and got a little too much Sun. After lunch we decided to go to the Jungle Spa. Our friend Erika said that it was an amazing experience because you get treated like a king by those Mayan women. After a little bit of struggling, we finally found the Spa, it was truly in the Jungle. Upon arrival we noticed that no one came to greet us so we made ourselves at home and walked onto the property. We saw a screened room in the center of the lot where the Spa is full of people around a large table. Once we entered we were greeted by two tiny Mayan women who did not speak much Spanish. We asked where we needed to sign up for a killer massage and they pointed us to a Caucasian-looking lady sitting at the head of the table. We wish you could have seen her; she resembled the pure spirit of the 60s with long, white hair, white gown, and a very strange look, in short, a living hippie. We asked her whether we could get a massage and she replied, in a rather mumbling fashion, that they were booked. She said some other things but we were only able to make up those words. It was almost like talking to an ancient Jungle Elf speaking some forgotten language.

Disappointed, we made our way back to the Cenotes. This time we went to a Cenote called Verde Lucero (Green Star) which is considered an open Cenote (meaning it is not underground but rather like a swimming pool). Katrina loved this Cenote because there was a zip line people could use to jump into the water. The Cenote also had a rope where people could sit or hold on to since, like any other Cenote, there is no way you can touch the bottom. A great thing about this Cenote was the amount of sunlight it gets. Thanks to it we were able to see a large number of fish of many types including the Kat Fish, ha ha, ha. In addition to the zip line, there was a 20 foot tall platform from where people could also jump. We saw the cutest little fat boy (maybe 5 years old) jumping into the water over and over again. Each time he would scream in the funniest way to his dad asking him to catch him. Katrina of course, jumped at least five times. Tonio only did it twice since he needed to keep the car key safe.

Just looking pretty

What is happening hot stuff?

We left Puerto Morelos on Sunday morning (our anniversary) to go to Cancun. But that is a story for another time… Stay tuned for Part Dos.

Bye-bye Puerto Morelos

Eric's Graduation

In May my brother, Eric, graduation from Penn State University with his PhD in Rural Sociology and Demography! His wife, Alisha, received her PhD in the same field in August 2009. We are so proud of them. My parents and Mike flew out for the festivities.

Eric and Alisha

Mom, Dad, and the Grad

Sibling Support

Eric and the Nittany Lion

Eric planned for us to eat dinner with an Amish family. We even stayed in their cabin. The father of the family is Jonas Yoder. For an Amish guy he is very business savvy. I have dubbed him the Donald Trump of the Amish. He hosts dinners in his home about three times a week. He has groups from 5 up to 45. When the group is small he will ask you a lot of questions. We talked about a variety of subjects including current events. We asked how the economic recession is affecting them. He said that many people should have lost their homes to foreclosed but the bank has let them keep their homes because nobody else wants to buy a house without electricity. On Sunday morning we talked about religion. We sang a few hymns in English and German. As you leave he gives you his business card. He is very personable and quite a character.

There is always a smorgasbord of food. I don't know how his wife cooks for so many people. They serve something called "chow, chow" it is kind of like Five Bean Salad. Breakfast was equipped with rhubarb juice and their homemade sausage.
We stayed in their hunting cabin. We were surprised that it had a fine shower but the toilet was an outhouse. There were bear rugs on the walls and a propane lantern chandelier. It was a memorable experience.



My dad loved it.


Propane Chandelier

Two Bears

Pastoral PA

Take Me Home Urban Roads

Antonio has been traveling all over the country for the last three months. Three weeks ago his job took him to Falling Waters, West Virginia and since I was out of school I came along. West Virginia is truly Wild and Wonderful. I took my road bike and rode every day. The first day I just started riding without knowing beforehand where I should go. I rode 8 miles and was nervous about having to retrace my steps back to the hotel. Luckily I saw a Burger King sign in the distance and I knew that I was home free (because the Burger King was next to my hotel, not because I consider Burger King my home). During the next few days on my bike rides I rode along side three young deer. I also started a road kill count: two possums, a turtle, a squirrel, and a rabbit. I really enjoyed riding a total of 42 miles on those country roads.
One evening my beloved husband and I went to the Antietam Battlefield in Maryland. This was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. During the first weekend in December a candle within a bag is placed for every person who died. It is a humbling sight. On our way back to West Virginia we crossed the Potomac River and saw this enchanting Bavarian Inn. It was an old mansion that has now been turned into an inn and new buildings have been added designed after the typical European tudor style. We decided to stop in for some fine dinning and Antonio ate a delicious bacon wrapped pheasant. Our waitress was attired in a traditional Bavarian Dirndl (dress).

Antietam Battle Field


The Bavarian Inn

On our drive home we stopped in Shepherdstown, WV. We ate at the Press Room restaurant located on Main street. It was very good and we were impressed by the quality of restaurants located in this little town. Also, we learned that every Thursday night at O'Hurley's General Store there is a gathering of local musicians. We decided to attend since addmision is free. It was a hodgepodge of banjos, fiddles, mandolins, guitars, flutes, bagpipes, harps, and unidentified instruments. One old lady kept insisting on choosing the song selection because she was the oldest one there. She had quite the high pitch voice. She forced another older woman with a voice deeper than the dead to do a duet of "Summertime". I have never heard someone go so low nor so high. They play a mixture of folk and Celtic music. Overall we had a blast. It was so refreshing to see such a lively group. Antonio became enchanted with West Virginia. He wishes someday we can move there.


O'Hurley General Store

Sweet Home Louisiana!

I went to Monroe, Louisiana for my Spring Break to visit my dear friends, Erika and Bruce. Monroe is first in a variety of ways. It is where Delta Airlines began. It was also the first place to start bottling coke. We went to a Coca-Cola Museum. We got a coke for 5 cents and had a fabulous tour from a former clown named Tommy.




Cool Hand Bruce

We also went to the Black Bayou. We saw some alligators in a nature center there. They were just babies. The Bayou is full of cypress tress and herons. We were walked around the boardwalk over the water.



Baby Alligators


Goin' Down the Bayou!

Erika and I drove over to Natchez, Mississippi. They have a Pilgrimage there every Spring. The town opens their old Antebellum homes and the hostess dresses like Scarlet O'Hara. We toured three homes. Some of the homes have decedents of the original owners living in them. There is a lot of history in those old homes. In the words of Erika, we overheard: A dandy Southern gentleman to a group of German tourists (in a fine Mississippi drawl and with the wave of the hand) "As a 56 year old black-hearted bachelor there's but one phrase in your language I need to know: Isssh Liebe dissssh."







We went to a pageant in the evening. It was a very interesting performance. This little town has been doing the pageant since 1932 and I don't think they have changed the program much. :) They performed about 10 short scenes. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, married a girl from that small town so one of the scenes is their wedding. Another is the Fox Hut, where they dress up and actually have their hounds walk through the auditorium. The final scene is where the belle says goodbye to confederate solider sweetheart one last time. They turned the lights out and this teenager held a giant Confederate Flag. A spot light was on him and he started screamed (Rebel Yell). He ran around the gym twice then he lead a procession of the Confederate Soldiers. The audience all stood up. Erika and I remained seated and we got some dirty looks. Then they brought out the American Flag and we stood up. They never call it the Civil War. Down South it is call the War Between States or the War of Northern Aggression. I was reminded that in some ways it is a whole other world down there.


The Bells and the Cadets




The Fox Hunt




The King and Queen of the Pilgrimage

We had lunch at Mammy's Cupboard. It is a 3 story tall African-American Woman lunch counter. You enter in through her skirt. The bread was good and the pie was mile high. Erika and I shared a slice of humming bird cake: a spice cake with coconut and pineapple topped with cream cheese frosting.


Erika and Mammy

We also ate at Biscuits and Blues. It is a little establishment in downtown Natchez. We ate a Natchez Beignet. Is a small scone that is cut open and filled with ice cream and topped with Praline Sauce. It was so heavenly!! That was the best part of Mississippi.

On the way back to Louisiana I told Erika that the country road reminded me of a scene from Cool Hand Luke. Only moments later we passed a 'chain gang' of prisoners in striped jumpsuits picking up litter along the highway...O Brother, Where Art Thou?

It was nice to be in the South again. I hadn't been back since my mission. I had forgotten how large and full of Spanish Moss the oak trees are. It is a place where you can get craw-fish boiled or live at the gas station. It takes a little while to get used to being called Ma'am. But there is something to be said for Southern Hospitality.


Spanish Moss City


Notice Erika in the corner


Oak Trees

DC Hidden Treasure

Last year we discovered a wonderful hidden treasure in DC: The National Arboretum. It is a place worth visiting throughout the year. Spring Flowers, Summer Picnics, and Fall colors. Different trees blossom all year long. Spring is an ideal time for magnolias, cherry, and apricot tree blossoms. There are paths through woods, Asian gardens, and through open fields. The Arboretum is home to the original columns of the U.S. Capitol Building. It hosts a collection of magnificent bonsai trees. It is open everyday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and admission is free! Visitors can run, bike, walk dogs, read on a blankets, and even sun bathe (yes, we saw an old man sun bathing today, March 21, 2010). The Arboretum is an oasis in sketchy North East DC. The Anacostia River runs along side it and there is a straight view of the Capitol's Rotunda. You won't have to fight the crowds of the downtown cherry blossoms. Come and enjoy a fabulous afternoon. Spring is Here!!

Sweet Magnolias

Japanese Apricot with Pink and White Flowers

Two Faced Flower

Master Tonio and Kung Fu Kat

Magnolias


Magnolias


Magnolias

Luck of the Irish in Alexandria

On March 6, 2010 we went with Eric and Alisha down to Old Town Alexandria for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This parade is similar to the Scottish Parade in December. They both have lots of bagpipers, dogs, and old cars. The difference is the dogs are Bloodhounds instead of Scottish Terriers. What we don't understand is what a Bolivian Dancer Group and the 501st Legion (Stars Wars Fans dressed up in character costumes) were doing in the middle of an Irish Parade. Overall it was a fun parade. Everyone was wearing green and we even saw an Irish Mad Hatter. It is a quaint setting along picturesque King Street with the Mason Temple in the background. It is one of the only times of the year that Katrina is allowed to go out wearing her "Kiss Me I'm Irish" T-shirt and bright green rain-slicker (DI purchase ca. 1997).


Irish Mad Hatter


A whole camp full of soldiers


Masonic Temple and King Street


Irish Pipers

The Beginning

"This is Antonio from Institute" were the words that Katrina heard three years ago as Tonio called her to ask her out on our first date. Tonio proceeded to ask if Katrina had plans for Friday evening (March 2, 2007). Katrina wasn't busy and as you know, she can never lie so she said "yes" to the invitation.
Tonio showed up on the executive button. He allowed her to ride in his best friend, Chewie. Right away Tonio made Katrina his co-pilot. She was in charge of pushing the Force Field Button that started the Imperial March from Star Wars.
As we drove to Crystal City, VA for dinner Tonio commented on how much he liked the small town feeling of D.C. I guess D.C. is the middle ground between Mexico City and Rexburg, ID.
We ate at a Spanish Tapas restaurant. It was Katrina's first time having Tapas (little appetizer dishes). She was taken back when she noticed that three slices of cheese cost $8. Katrina thought it was a little too fancy for a first date. Tonio was clearly trying to impress.
After dinner Tonio suggested going to a movie. Katrina said," Rock on Babylon!" and we made our way to the Regal Potomac Movie Theater. We watched "Breach", a most appropriate movie for any DC resident.
After the movie, Tonio was not done with Katrina so he suggested to get some dessert. Clearly he was having a good time and Katrina was fascinated by how witty this guy from the True South was. We went to the Madelaine in Old Town Alexandria and each ordered a dessert (after all, everybody knows how awkward it would be to share the same dessert on a first date). During our conversation Tonio made clear that he was having a good time and he started talking about future activities we could do together. Alas, Katrina had to let Tonio know that there was a very good possibility of her returning to Utah in June. Tonio asked whether it was definitive. Katrina said that it wasn't yet to which he replied "we still have time to change your mind". What did he mean by that? Was he planning on using an old Jedi mind trick on Katrina? That would have been futile. And why did he refer to himself on the third person plural? Things were starting to get a little weird, especially when he said "But I am not in Utah!" Hello! First Date! You want me to go running home? Where is my pepper spray?
To be true, Katrina was flattered by the attention but she was also a little surprised on how forward Tonio was on that first date. Tonio, on his part, was always keeping it cool.
Before dropping Katrina home, Tonio asked Katrina whether she had read "Bridge to Terabithia". She mentioned that she had not and that she was interested in the book. Tonio suggested to stop by his place and that he would lend her a copy of the book. Katrina was a little suspicious at the beginning. She thought "you want me to go where? Where is my teaser?"
But Tonio mentioned that he did not live alone, which was comforting, until Katrina realized that Tonio's roommate was a one-foot tall replica of R2D2. "Where is the exit?"
Katrina finally got a hold of the book after being shown Tonio's vast Star Wars memorabilia (he calls the dolls "action figures"). Katrina is herself a Star Wars fan (she has a golden bikini in Idaho, and a crush on Han Solo), but she thought this was a little too much.
Eventually, Tonio dropped Katrina off at her place. After saying good bye Katrina noticed that Tonio was still following her up the stairs "was this guy hoping for a good night kiss? He already got a hug" thought Katrina. However, she was relieved when she noticed he was just being a gentleman and was merely waiting for her to be inside her home before taking off.
All in all, it was a great date. We had a lot of fun despite the quirky moments. Alas, Katrina made her move to Utah, but that is another story...