Our Airbnb is in a, really modern part of town. But on our walk today we found a quiet street with colorful buildings.
Next we stopped for quesadillas.
It was at this point we realized that Merida was on Mountain time. An hour later than the west coast and an hour earlier than Chicago. It’s really confusing if you look at a map. Merida is directly south of Illinois but is an hour earlier.
Today I got my maitenance drug. Since I get it every three weeks this was a big milestone. It all went well which means we can stay longer.
It was crazy though. This is how it went in Panana. I walked over to the clinic. The infusion center was a bunch of recliners lined up. I got the infusion, an hour later I walked home.
Here, I had to bring Jeff and we were assigned a hospital room. There was a really comfy sofa and cookies.
My oncologist, who I had had a zoom appointment in Panama and and in person appt the day before hung out with us in the room.
After a really long wait I got the infusion. During the 30 minute treatment they insisted I lie in the hospital bed. Then sandwiches arrived.
Also rumors circulated among the nurses that Jeff spoke really good Spanish.
We were told that I couldn’t leave until insurance approved the charge and it could take 4 hours. Jeff asked if they could put a hold on our credit card since it could be 3 weeks before insurance approved it. It was a nice room but I didn’t want to move in.
Jeff went to pay but I was not allowed to leave the room. This was the text with the bill dept.
I was not thrilled to be held hostage and crammed everything we didn’t eat into my purse. I scored an apple, two granola bars, 4 sugar packets and some cookies. There was also a hotel type set of soap, shampoo and conditioner. They probably wonder when I had time to take a shower.
Finally I was released and they insisted I leave by wheelchair. It took 4 hours which was silly but my doctor is great and I got great care.
Today we unusually nice out according to the locals. It was beautiful and felt about 20 degrees cooler than Panama City. We took a really long walk into the centro. There were so many great door photos. Here is the first one I saw.
After our walk we went grocery shopping. The store was similar to an American supermarket but there were a few differences.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think pig sized pork rinds are common at Safeway.
Is Twix Coffee a think l thing in the US?
I know dried chilis ate available, but in bulk?
We weer able to find everything except few a,few things like canned garbonzo beans. But we did find the dried. So next time I remember to soak them the night before and have 3-4 hours to cook then we’ll be all set.
On Monday we took a bus from Tulum to Merida. The bus, was great, air conditioned. Comfortable, quiet. But it was long. Somehow we didn’t realize it would be a 5 hour trip.
But once in town we got an Uber who gave us a quick tour of the town. Then we got to our Airbnb and we ordered in food.
Its so fun to be in a new place.
Jeff and I spent the entire day resting. I felt like I was getting sick, but after lots of sleeping, resting and vitamin C I bounced back.
Tonight we had dinner with Don and GBriella which was really nice.
Tomorrow we pack up and head to the city of Merida!
On Saturday the wedding activities continued. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate and the planned sailing, snorkling trip was scraped. Instead the boat was able to park in a bay.
There was swimming and even a bar in the water.
Everyone adapted to the new plan and had fun.
Below is Jeff with the groom, our nephew Brian.
Last night we had so much fun. Our nephew Brian’s wedding to Jessica was incredible. The setting was gorgeous. First wedding where I had my shoes off before the ceromony even started.
It was a night filled with so much love and joy.
I didn’t get photos of later in the night but they had another 40 friends at the wedding who danced until late into the night.
Everyone had so much fun. We got there at 4pm and didn’t leave until midnight.
Today was the pre-wedding welcome drinks. I didn’t get very many photos but we had a really fun time. Here is Jeff with our grand nieces Aubrey and Carly.
Tomorrow I will get a lot more photos. We loved seeing everyone ! Tonight we got to see my brother and sister in laws, three of my nephews meet their wives and brides and see our great nieces. No surprise that the Zeunert women who have married into the Zeunert family are awesome.
Below is my sister in laws Amy and Gabriella, my niece in law Melisa and me.
Below is our nephew Matt and wife Melissa.
Below is Jeff and his brother Mike.
Tulum has some pretty impressive Mayan ruins. They are expensive to access and there isn’t a lot of shade but the scenery is spectacular
We went with my brother and sister in laws Don and Gabriella. They are also here for our nephew Brian’s wedding.
The ruins were interesting but the big attraction is the stunning coast.
We walked around and then I got really overheated. I’m leaning on Jeff mostly not to fall over.
After a quick refresh in air conditioning we met Don and Gabriella for drinks. swimming and dinner.
Today started off crazy. We thought we found a place to go for beach access but after this text exchange decided no. We were not about to pay $200 just to nap on a lounge chair.
Then we tried to go to another place but it was $50 just to enter. Didn’t include parking. We finally found the free beach. It was beautiful but no shade.
We decided to walk to a nearby restaurant that had shade and no cover charge.
And that was perfect. We stayed for hours and had the longest lunch every. Here was the view from our table.
Then before leaving Jeff tried out the hammock and I feel asleep in an andironack chair.
