Me encanta Mexico!

A New Found Paradise

When I told people I was going to Mexico,

 I got many responses and none of them were good.

I heard things like:

* Never leave the resort.

* Don't go on the beach at night.

* Only take taxis, never buses.

* You'll be kidnapped!

Yes, I actually heard that one and some that were

worse than that but I can't even bring myself to

write about that...

This was my first trip to Mexico.

I've been to far flung corners of the world

 but had never visited my southern neighbors.

  I think I thought it wouldn't be foreign

enough, that it would be just like

Florida.  I'm happy to report - I was wrong.

Mexico is as vibrant and spicy as its salsas.

It has a foreign feel but at the same time

it is very welcoming.  The people have a

lovely sweet nature and let's face it ~ tourists

are treated well because the locals know

that is where the money comes from.

Now I don't want to paint too rosy a

picture here and say all of Mexico is

fine for travel.  No, that is not true at

this time.  I was in the south in Cancun,

and the nearest place that you will start

to find trouble is about 20 hours away.

You may be saying ~ Cancun?  Isn't that

the den of iniquity where girls (and boys)

have gone wild?  Yes, it is, but I must remind

you, those girls and boys are American college

students, who descend upon Cancun for a few

weeks a year and participate in activities

that would make their parents back home cringe.

The Cancun where the locals live, is

very family friendly.  On a Friday night

you don't find the locals in bars and clubs

unless they happen to be working there.

The locals are out with their families,

strolling through the park, eating at food

stands, watching the kids drive little cars

around the square.

I'm happy to say I rode the local buses,

even the ones that are old vans with

benches in the back, I ate at little local

places and from street vendors, I went on

the beach at night and walked down some

very lonely streets.  And I was fine.

You must still be cautious, just as you

would be anywhere but give Cancun a

try ~ I highly recommend it.

And then there's the beauty and nature,

stop by again soon and you'll be able

to see some of the stunning photos of

this beautiful place.