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Published: June 27th 2016
"If life is like a rat race, I choose to be the cat". ~ Whoopi-ty-aye-oh, Rockin' to and fro, back in the saddle again. Our second home beckoned and we gleefully answered the call and arrived back in Playa yesterday. I know I mention this all the time, but it really is like old home week coming back here; always welcomed and greeted with big hugs from the condo staff and the many other people we've gotten to know here. They are always so happy to see us (Who wouldn't be happy to see us right? 😊
I was here in April for a bit of work, and brought along my sister Cindy and friends Martha & Linda. While here I also wanted to work on a personal writing project I have on the go which I hope will lead to me being published in a well-known travel magazine. (I am keeping this on the 'down-low' because I just want to see how it goes before I bring out the trumpets. Once done I will let you in on the subject of my article.) Sounds rather mysterious, doesn't it?!
In April I hired a professional photographer to
shoot photos for my article which I'm hoping to finally pitch late summer. You only get two pitches to get your article published, and the email to the magazine needs to be darn near perfect to catch their attention. And having photos to accompany my article will give me a leg up, so here's hoping. I've been working on the pitch since January, and it is a lot harder than I anticipated. I wrote a draft email, then have re-written it, fine tuned it, then leave it for a few days, then come back and read it, and the process starts again. I will know exactly when it is ready for submission. I've always lived by the motto, "If you are going to do something right, do it right the first time".
Prior to arriving in April, I contacted one of the best restaurants in Playa to help me with the article and allow me to do the photo shoot in their courtyard which is a gorgeous setting. They were so happy to help me out, and offered any assistance and setup for the day of the photo shoot. There is also a beautiful new Thompson Hotel that has
recently been built in Playa (a very upscale hotel chain throughout the world) and I contacted them about doing a rooftop shoot and they also agreed to it. I felt like I was batting a thousand before I even got to Playa!
Prior to the shoot, Cindy and I enjoyed an amazing lunch at the hotel rooftop restaurant, and I enjoyed a perfectly cooked Chilean salmon and Cin an order of beef tacos, and frankly the presentation looked like something you'd see in a food magazine. These people know how to do things with style and class. We were introduced to management, and we settled on a date for the photo shoot, and I was offered anything and everything I could possibly need to get the job done. I was very honored they would take the time to help me with this project and happy to say everything was amazing the day of, and when it was all over, I was happier than a bird with a French fry. 😉
Photographers are not cheap in this neck of the woods since there is a great demand for them due to the draw for destination weddings, travel industry (magazines,
airlines, hotels/resorts, tours) you name it, they photograph it. However, I was referred by someone I trust here and found a young woman who was great to work with. I was able to work a deal with her with the idea if you scratch my back then I'll scratch yours. It brought the price down significantly because I told her if she worked a deal with me, I would introduce her to my contacts as well, hoping that it would lead to future work for her. By the time she was done my photo shoots I was able to get her 3 jobs. I was so happy that the 'back scratching' was mutually beneficial. All in all my time here in April produced some very good results.
This time, I am here for both work & pleasure but more pleasure than work. Although I was referred to do blogging for another boutique hotel which I will be visiting while here to check them out. This place is my happy place, and writing about it is never considered work. In the meantime, it's all about enjoying family time with the kids, and also with Al's parents Ray & Pat who
are arriving from Calgary tomorrow. The kids are pumped to see their grandparents who they haven't seen since last July. I expect many rounds of cards will be played and lots of pool and ocean time enjoyed.
We arrived yesterday by 1 PM to wonderful weather (quelle surprise) and the humidity was really low which was unexpected. I was on a separate flight from the rest of the family which is totally unusual, and I was happy there were no incidents involving me. (If you have read past blogs there's ALWAYS an incident). The people next to me were quiet yet friendly. I had one 'chatty Cathy' behind me and I swear it was Cliff Clavin from the TV show Cheers. Remember good old Cliff with his quotes? Here's one to bring you back.
Cliff quote: "It's a little known fact that the smartest animal is a pig. Scientists say if pigs had thumbs and a language, they could be trained to do simple manual labor. They'd give you 20-30 years of loyal service and then at their retirement dinner you can eat them." Only Cliff...
So this guy on the plane much like Cliff had an
endless supply of facts and theories about everything and anything. I overheard the lad seated right next to him say he just flew in from Calgary to connect in Toronto to Cancun. And by the looks of things he was tired, and not really up for a 4 hour chat with someone he didn't know. All I can say is I was grateful it wasn't me. He was a harmless enough guy, but nonetheless, on a plane I want to read and listen to music without anybody chewing my ear off. At least he wasn't kicking my seat which seems to typically happen to me on a flight.
Upon landing, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that once again Cancun had renovated its airport for the best way to move people through quickly. So I found myself off the plane lickity split, and was greeted by the staff of the Duty Free shop where I was able to cheaply stock up on some top shelf tequila at an amazing price. That's an ideal start to a summer vacation wouldn't you say?
After all our stays at this condo hotel, we've never stayed in the condo we had
last night. It was simply, ooh la la. The views from the rooftop are gorgeous, and it has all the bells and whistles in the sense of outdoor patio furniture and a nice big hammock to swing in, which is getting fully used by the girls. However, it is really busy around here so we will be moving to another condo, which is no big deal in order to continue my comped condo deal. None of these condos lack in anything, rest assured. And further, beggars cannot be choosers as my mom likes to say.
Our first night here last night we did our typical walk about, meeting up with some old friends while strolling out to dinner. Playa was pulsing with a laid-back vibe of tourists and it was feeling busier than usual for late June. Restaurants were full, loads of people walking 5th avenue and the pubs were over-flowing with TVs playing soccer with cheering crowds. We realized that it was the 2016 Copa America soccer match with Chile beating Argentina in the early hours this morning. It was a repeat of last year's final. You could hear the yelling & cheering which was quite exhilarating even if you don't watch soccer!
We woke to a sunny crystal clear morning, with boats gliding through the water, and the staff raking the beach to ready it for another busy day. The humidity is back with a vengeace, but hey, we're on the ocean so trust me, we can handle it!
Well I guess this is my first blog of summer vacation 2016. We are just getting settled and off to get groceries at Walmart, then hoping to enjoy a blissful day of reading by the ocean. Sigh. Ahhh, fasten your seatbelt paradise cause here I come!
As usual, I wish you were all here lounging underneath an umbrella with me, while Al serves us margaritas while fanning us with a banana leaf. Al, go get the banana leaf ready will you?! Al...? Woo hoo Al?
Salud to all!
Sal and the Monkees 😉
*A few pics below
**As per usual, read at your own risk. Spelling & grammar is a hit & miss on TravelBlog 😊
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Martha J
non-member comment
Glad you are having fun
Sounds like your flight was less eventful than normal. Hope that means your vacation will be extra relaxing too. Love you all.