As the Winter winds threatened the midwest, the University of Michigan slowly began closing down preparing for the mass evacuation of Ann Arbor by students, faculty and staff. It is an annual ritual, a mini march of the penguins. The city is abandoned. There is little to do, no one around. If you stay it is because you have family. If you don't have family, you are alone.
Though winter hadn't been upon the area for too long, I was done with it already. I couldn't stand anymore snow, any sub-50F temperatures. But my family is all in equally-as-cold geographic locations. Did I want to travel to see them, but be subject to the same conditions? I'd be with people, but I'd still be cold. And getting there would prove to be no fun trek. Drive, and risk the horrible road conditions? Fly and worry about cancelled flights? Train, and subject myself to the hours and hours of delays that are all too common with that mode of transportation? Or stay in Michigan, in the same cold, but alone?
I opted instead for the third option: get away, somewhere warm. I was able to find cheap flights to Cancun. It'd be a quick trip, just four days, but I had to do something, something to warm myself up. If I was going to be alone, I might as well enjoy my surroundings.
I packed a quick bag. I made my plans. I'd be in Mexico for new years. The beaches, the warmth, the sun. Anything to get away from the bitter cold.
Though it was just a few short days, this trip would have a profound effect on me. It invigorated me. I had lost something far back when I was still in Egypt, and the past year had seen me struggle to regain it. That joy of life. The thrill of traveling. The accumulations of experiences and adventures.
In some ways, Mexico picked up where Egypt left off. For some reason I could not stop comparing the two experiences. Completely different, but so similar. Traveling alone as I did for part of my Egypt trip. Making things up as I go. Visiting a famous archaeological site. No, I am not comparing the pyramids.
Cancun never appealed to me as a site to visit. I never wanted to visit what are considered the popular places, the ones full of hotels that are just America on a beach. I have no interest in going to Las Vegas. Never thought about Cancun as I am not a spring break type of person. What did I know of this place? Maya Riviera. Beaches. Hotels. Yes, can get to archaeological sites, but this is supposed to be about lying on the beach and relaxing and drinking and maybe go somewhere educational to pass the time. For a few days, I could put up with this. Get to the beach, lie on the sand, swim in the sea.
In the end, I never made it to the beach. Upon arrival, going through customs and getting to the city from the airport, it had gotten dark already. I could go to the beach area and go to a club and drink the night away, but I arrived feeling nauseous and suffering from a tremendous headache. Oh, this was not a good start to the my trip. I found my hostel. I dropped off my bag. I went out in search of food, to see what the fuss is about this city.
I wandered for a while. I found a small festival-type area, with fried foods sold from carts. An area where little kids could drive miniature cars. Churros. I saw some restaurants, but nothing that struck my fancy. Eventually I jumped into this hole in the wall and ordered some quesadillas. I need some food. This would do. Cheap, quick. And not very good. But I had food.
Still feeling ill, I decided to call it an early night, get sleep, feel better for the rest of the trip. It had to get better. It just had to.
Though winter hadn't been upon the area for too long, I was done with it already. I couldn't stand anymore snow, any sub-50F temperatures. But my family is all in equally-as-cold geographic locations. Did I want to travel to see them, but be subject to the same conditions? I'd be with people, but I'd still be cold. And getting there would prove to be no fun trek. Drive, and risk the horrible road conditions? Fly and worry about cancelled flights? Train, and subject myself to the hours and hours of delays that are all too common with that mode of transportation? Or stay in Michigan, in the same cold, but alone?
I opted instead for the third option: get away, somewhere warm. I was able to find cheap flights to Cancun. It'd be a quick trip, just four days, but I had to do something, something to warm myself up. If I was going to be alone, I might as well enjoy my surroundings.
I packed a quick bag. I made my plans. I'd be in Mexico for new years. The beaches, the warmth, the sun. Anything to get away from the bitter cold.
Though it was just a few short days, this trip would have a profound effect on me. It invigorated me. I had lost something far back when I was still in Egypt, and the past year had seen me struggle to regain it. That joy of life. The thrill of traveling. The accumulations of experiences and adventures.
In some ways, Mexico picked up where Egypt left off. For some reason I could not stop comparing the two experiences. Completely different, but so similar. Traveling alone as I did for part of my Egypt trip. Making things up as I go. Visiting a famous archaeological site. No, I am not comparing the pyramids.
Cancun never appealed to me as a site to visit. I never wanted to visit what are considered the popular places, the ones full of hotels that are just America on a beach. I have no interest in going to Las Vegas. Never thought about Cancun as I am not a spring break type of person. What did I know of this place? Maya Riviera. Beaches. Hotels. Yes, can get to archaeological sites, but this is supposed to be about lying on the beach and relaxing and drinking and maybe go somewhere educational to pass the time. For a few days, I could put up with this. Get to the beach, lie on the sand, swim in the sea.
In the end, I never made it to the beach. Upon arrival, going through customs and getting to the city from the airport, it had gotten dark already. I could go to the beach area and go to a club and drink the night away, but I arrived feeling nauseous and suffering from a tremendous headache. Oh, this was not a good start to the my trip. I found my hostel. I dropped off my bag. I went out in search of food, to see what the fuss is about this city.
I wandered for a while. I found a small festival-type area, with fried foods sold from carts. An area where little kids could drive miniature cars. Churros. I saw some restaurants, but nothing that struck my fancy. Eventually I jumped into this hole in the wall and ordered some quesadillas. I need some food. This would do. Cheap, quick. And not very good. But I had food.
Still feeling ill, I decided to call it an early night, get sleep, feel better for the rest of the trip. It had to get better. It just had to.
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