What I did
A very unsafe rodeo, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles, and a very lovely baby.
Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/k.griffin/1/1326821985/tpod.html#ixzz1jrwF9Kp6
It seems impossible that we leave on Friday, trying to remember what has happened in the three weeks is rather difficult, everything is a sunny haze, characterised by a lot of ice cold beers and margheritas, swims in warm seas, and baby cuddling.
Its safe to say that Matilda is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. She has changed a lot since we first got here, and is now smiling and starting to chat to us, making all my Psychology work into the developing baby seem relevant rather than just an excuse to look at sweet pictures!
We spend most of the time helping babysit at the cafe which Laura manages. It is, very conveniently, right next to a beautiful beach, complete with palm trees and cloudless sky. On Sundays we venture further a field, going to other gorgeous beaches and to a local river with a current that sweeps you downstream, past exotic plants and birds, making you wonder why anyone would ever live anywhere else. During our river trip I chatted to a lady with her (fourth) baby. She asked if I had any children, I said no. When she found out I was the ripe old age of 21 she looked a little shocked and hopefully asked if I had a boyfriend, when my answer to that was also a no she looked at me like she had lost all hope for my future....
Last week was the village party. This involves all night and most of the day dancing to brass band music, whilst a Mexican man yells on a loud speaker and everyone drinks a hell of a lot of cannies. Each night has a different form of entertainment. The Mexican style rodeo was unforgettable. The very rickety stalls are absolutely packed with families, all drinking said cannies and chatting loudly over the brass band that plays songs about a lover who slept with a best friend who lost his horse in a card game. Men who tick every stereotypical cowboy box pace the ring kissing their lucky chaps, getting on the ground praying and kissing the earth and crossing themselves. And believe me, if I had to do what they were doing Id pray to every God I ever heard of. They look like rag dolls when they get on the bulls. Luckily, no one was hospitalised though, which does often happen apparently! Another highlight is the 10 foot high pole which drunk men and little children have to try to climb to the top of. And if that wasnt hard enough, its smothered in pig fat. The grand finale was a firework display. During this, men ran into the crowd holding sculptures decorated with Catherine wheels. I dont know which is the greater danger, a third degree burn or death by stampede. All in all, it beats Dunsford fete hands down.
Yesterday we took the morning off babying to go on a boat tour. We were hoping to see a sea turtle, which are famous in the area. We got so much more than that though. The first twenty minutes or so were a little awkward as we saw zilch. Then, on the horizon, we saw the telltale Free Willy style Y tale indicating a whale. After a journey at break neck speed we arrived at that spot, to be greeted by a baby whale who was jumping up out the water. It was absolutely breathtaking. He was then joined by three adults (I had thought the baby was pretty sizeable, but they were huge), who swam alongside us for about twenty minutes, only to be replaced by a pod of dolphins! The dolphins were much more interactive than the whales, in that they came up to look at us, swimming under the boat and jumping out of the water doing flips in the air, it was as if they were putting on a show for us! To top it all off, we found our sea turtle, which we were able to get into the sea and hold. It was a perfect trip, finished off with a perfect breakfast on a perfect beach.
I was told by a very nice old Mexican man that I look like Brooke Shields from Blue Lagoon. All I know about Brooke is that she was a friend of Micheal Jacksons, which indicates that this may not be the biggest compliment I have ever received....
The next few days are sure to be a little bittersweet, it feels like we have only just arrived and yet it is time to leave them all in their sunny paradise and go our separate ways. However, to minimise the bitter side, my way involves a lot of Mayan temples and more beaches, which some would say is a fate worse than death.
Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/k.griffin/1/1326821985/tpod.html#ixzz1jrvv2n00
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