In a very old neighborhood of Centro Merida is a nice Mexican home mid-street in a row of homes only joined by the cement and iron fencing along their front borders. Here, Ramona and I will spend the entire month of February, a month chosen to escape the harsh winter cold and snows of southern Minnesota.

The home (casa - as it is called here) is owned by,Kathleen, a lady who is American but who came to settle here about 6 years ago. To defray some of her costs she will rent up to 3 bedrooms, all with on-suite baths. We share a kitchen, dining and other living space with others who care to stay here as well. With us are Andrei and Anna from Vancouver Canada, originally from Romania. Also here is Allison from Canada as well, our host Kathleen and Carlo, Kathleen's boyfriend and his Cuban mother, Aurora.

Day 1
We arrived late on a Sunday evening after taking a flight from Minneapolis to Cancun and then a four hour journey on a very nice bus to Merida. A bite to eat close to the Merida bus station, then a short cab ride and we were at our nice accommodating abode. Although tired from our journey, we spent some time meeting and conversing with our new friends before, finally, retreating to our room for a good nights rest.

Day 2
Morning came, and with it, the need to find nourishment. We chose to walk the ten blocks it would take to find the Cafe Creme, a very nice little French cafe in the middle of a neighborhood street where we would get a nice omelette and some delicious French croissants and pastries. And, of course, some much needed coffee - a latte.

Then off to the only recommended place to get grocery supplies - Walmart.(it would not have been my first choice but for staples, it was the place to go. We would get our Fruits, vegetables and cheese at little neighborhood stores later. For dinner that night we chose to visit a little place about a block from our place that served us some very nice tamales. They were about 75 cents each. Later that evening we visited the regular weekly "learn Spanish-English" group at the nearby English Library. There we had a great time trying to improve our limited Spanish skills while trying to help local citizens learn English as well. It was a great (and mostly humorous) time.

Day 3
The following morning we made coffee, consumed a bowl of cereal, and then walked about four blocks to a fruit and vegetable stand where we bought avocados and the makings for our salads. On the journey back we stopped in a small shop and bought some cheese.

Our plans were to go to a live band performance later that evening but fatigue got to me so we said we'd do that "mañana".

Day 4
Had what will be our frequent early morning breakfast of cereal, banana, orange and coffee, then set off for our (at least for now) favorite restaurant - Cafe Creme - for a French pastry and a latte. Then to the Paseo Montejo (the Main Street where much of the shops are). Here we stopped into some old structures. A very old Catholic Church and then some buildings that now hold items to buy. The only purchases we made were - a margarita and some tacos - later beers at an Irish pub - and, on the walk home, some fresh coffee grounds at a small shop that roasted its own beans. Finally we dragged ourselves back to our residence.

Then there is the all important ritual of doing something you do back home. So we, went to the kitchen, cut off a bit of cheese, poured a nice martini (Mona had a beer), and then went out to the tree lined patio to recover from our long day of walking.

The evening wasted away with a light dinner and then some reading and an early trip to bed.

Day 5
This morning, after a light breakfast at home, we walked the mile and a half it would take to get to the grocery store for some much needed supplies. Tequila & beer included. As our purchase became quite heavy, we chose to hail a cab back to our abode where we quickly opened a beer, brought out the peanuts, and sat on the upper deck to bask in the sun. Or, in my case, bask in the shade.

Later afternoon, I tried my hand at creating a margarita. Mona felt it was missing enough of a very important ingredient. That won't happen again. Then a fine dinner at our upscale restaurant down the block. Tucked inside this old guys house are two plastic tables, each with two plastic chairs whose legs spread as you sit upon them. The chef digs for our two tamales from a large kettle on the floor and serves them on a leaf from a banana tree. He then retreats back to his TV where he is listening to some Italian opera sung in Spanish. We finish our meal, pay him $1.56 (20 pesos) and walk back home. Life is good.

Day 6
The French seem to be invading Merida. We are on our way to our third French Cafe since arriving 5 days ago - the Bistro Cultura. We enter the courtyard; cement walls with painted murals, a massive tree whose trunk seems to come from the bottom of one wall while leaning across the entire courtyard. Woven basket like lamp shades hang from branches that can illuminate the area in the evening. We each had a cappuccino, a sweet croissant and shared a croissant covered with ham & cheese and a rich hollandaise sauce.

Later morning had us walking north-west - the only direction we had not been. On our journey we found a furniture store where its wooden items were hand made and hand carved. Continuing our journey we stopped at a fruit & vegetable stand to buy some fresh things for our infrequent home meals. Passing the restaurant we had discovered earlier in the week, we stopped to, once again, enjoy a meal of pechuga de pollo empanizado (breaded fried chicken breast). It included rice, a salad, bean soup and some hot soft tortillas. We had to pay $4.08 for that meal but that included a coke as well.

Very mild and pleasant evening. Time for a margarita, some cheese and crackers, some reading, some writing and some - - - nothing.

Day 7
Created our first real breakfast at home today. We have poured cereal and peeled bananas, but today it was omelets, fruit & coffee. Then to the Paseo de Montijo (Merida's main drag) where we looked for a store recommended by our host. We did not think we found it but, upon returning Kathleen assured us that what we described was what she had recommended. All was not for naught. We had a fine fish & chips dinner at the nearby Irish pub accompanied by a couple of tall draft beers.

Back home, tired from our four mile hike, we soon poured our favorite beverages and sat down to read and write.

Day 8
A quick bowl of cereal and some coffee and then an early jaunt to an old Catholic Church for Mass - to assure eternal bliss. The priest and congregants were more than pleased to have us join them. It's not hard to notice new comers when attendance is 13.

After service we walked to the grand plaza where, on Sundays, there is an open market. We visited mostly the vendors who were making their own goods. Mona bought a ring and some earrings, both hand made. I bought a couple of T-shirts that probably were not hand made but would document the fact that I was, indeed, in Merida Mexico.

During our journey we stopped at a little coffee house where I had one of the best cappuccinos I have ever had - along with an acceptable ham & cheese croissant.

Before our long walk back home we stopped to have a way too expensive Margarita. Note: Don't have drinks where you see a lot of gringos.

Exhausted from 6 hours of walking and finally back home, we sit on the lovely front patio and have our personal drinks of choice. Perfect temperature, slight breeze, a little reading, a little writing, and the world is a wonderful place to hang out.

Day 9
Cool for Merida, the morning made for a pleasant walk to the Coffee Creme where we split an omelette, some French pastries and had cappuccinos. As we were not far from the grocery store, we stopped in to buy a few supplies we were running short of. Then a nice hike back had us passing our little cafe that serves pechuga con pollo empanizado. (breaded and fries chicken breast). Restaurant - Grocery - Restaurant would make it look like we eat a lot but, fact is, we walk some distance between events so there is over a four hour period between these meals - and - we did not eat dinner this night.

This evening we would attend our second English-Spanish practice social. This week we were joined by two young Merida students and a couple more locals who all wanted to learn English. I had much fun with the students while Mona made fast friends with a resident who spoke some limited English. It is becoming clear that Mona is more intent on supporting my eagerness to learn than attempting to try herself. She is, however, a great companion to those who wish to learn English. Mona's new friend drove us home that evening.

Day 10
French mornings have become a habit. This day it would be a short walk to the Bistro Cultura for our morning coffees of choice and some croissants. We stopped at a little corner store (tienda) later to pick up a little bag of salt. A few days ago Mona bought a beautiful hand made Mexican hand bag. After having the bag hanging over her should for a few hours she noticed that dark reddish colors were bleeding onto her white shirt. Soaking in salt water, we were told, would set the colors.

This afternoon we took a mile walk to the Architecture Museum, an old mansion with artifacts and pictures of Merida's past. Then we strolled to find a little hole in the wall pizza place nearby where we found our neighbors having pizza there as well. Although the evening was quite cool we endured for another 4 hours so we could see a Zydeco group from Oklahoma play at the plaza. Despite the chill, the concert was well worth waiting for. Finally, a late night, mile and a half walk, and we were back home, anxious for bed.

Day 11
Up early (that's 7 a.m. to us), a quick cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal, then a short walk to flag down a bus to Progresso (about $1.30). Progresso is a small town, about 22 miles from Merida, on the Caribbean. First thing we found a street side cafe that had pancakes, a nice change from what we had available to us thus far so we stopped to share a plate and get a couple of cappuccinos as well.

Then to the playa (the beach). Mona sat soaking up some sun and reading a book, while I sat soaking up some shade doing some reading and some writing. A while later, having soaked up enough shade, I pulled Mona from her comfy lounge chair in the sand so we could discover what this town looked like beyond the beach. Neighborhoods looked pretty much like those in Merida so we stopped at a very nice thatch roofed restaurant, had some soup and a beer, then were drawn back to the beach.

There are those who can and wish to lay out on a beach from morning to dusk. Mona is one of those. I am not. The waters are beautiful, the breezes gentle, the sun nice and warm, the chairs comfortable and - I go nuts after a while. There has to be more to life than being sedentary.

After a walk along the beach we did what we do best - went to eat. We stopped at a place recommended by a vendor who was from Florida but spends his winters in Progresso. As it turns out, I would, next time, ask someone else. We had grouper in some unidentifiable sauce, with rice and tortillas, for too much money.

Then headed for the bus terminal where we were lucky enough to get a bus about to leave for Merida. I had no more than brought my book up on my iPad and read a few pages before I realized we should be looking for our stop. The ride back seemed like but a few minutes. We walked the 9 blocks home and - crashed.

Day 12
Going nowhere for a while. After getting up each morning each day, time to just hang out on one (or all) of our three patio areas at home. Coffee made, a bowl of cereal, some fresh orange juice, a little reading, a little writing, it feels like home - only warmer.

This afternoon we walked about a mile and a quarter to an avenue closed off for a 4:00 children's parade. A truck load of folding chairs were brought in and placed double row on each side of the street for two long blocks. Children dressed in costume, representing schools throughout the area, each school displaying their own distinctive music and dance. Each group was proceeded by a truck carrying speakers blaring the music that each school chose. Many proud parents, locals and expats attended.

After the parade Mona & I stopped in and ate at a lovely Yucatan restaurant. The food was quite different from common Mexican cuisine and delicious. The dessert similar to bread pudding was even better. Drinks, dinner & dessert - $21. High price for around here but well worth it.

A delightful trek back home and ready to call it a night.

Day 13
Thought we'd stroll the only quadrant we had not visited. Walked about 6-7 blocks to the main business street west of us as we had earlier but then walked south instead of north. I had expected to visit more businesses that produced hand made wood or clay items but it was quite different. Here we passed a large hospital, some auto repair places and other buildings of little interest. We did, however, discover the museum of natural history. It was quite nice. And, on our journey back, a nice looking little cafe that serves chili relleno on Wednesdays. It's on my calendar.

Not that you call our time here particularly productive but this day was particularly unproductive. We walked a little but there was little to see. We came back, made a peanut butter sandwich and ate it with a beer, and then just read, wrote or searched the web. This is a day I would have watched TV if I had one to watch. Thankfully I don't.

Day 14
Valentines Day and back to active. We went to the Bistro for cappuccinos & croissants and then another few blocks to an art gallery. Fortunately nothing was appropriate for our home. I couldn't afford the prices anyway. Then walked by a bakery so I forced myself to indulge in yet another pastry.

We tried to find the office where tickets are sold for the symphony performances at the Teatro but were unsuccessful. On our way home we passed, still another bakery. This time I was in better control of my urges and so we continued our walk home.

This evening, dressed in our finest (mona in a gorgeous dress and me in the only stuff I packed), we took a cab to the best steakhouse Merida has to offer. There we had some fine wine, followed by a nice caesar salad made at our table and then an Argentinian flank steak. A grilled onion that I had little of because onions go through me quite quickly.

All the neighbors that we have met are quite outgoing and friendly, and, I suspect quite considerate of their neighbors. But this night, at some home near our bedroom window, some neighbor decided that this night would be a good night to have a yard party. They didn't consult with me. The music was loud - very loud. At about 3:00 a.m. it stopped - - for about 10 minutes. Then, ever so slightly less intense, it started again until about 5:00 a.m. I got little sleep but did not feel unrested in the morning.

Day 15
Lazy day. Coffee - omelet - coffee - margarita. All that with reading - writing here and there and everywhere in between.

In the evening we walked to a nice Yucatan Restaurant with our neighbors Anna & Andrie, who are Romanian but now live in Vancouver Canada. There we met Linda, also from Canada. She stayed in our room prior to our arrival but left to be closer to the Paseo de Montejo and breakfast prepared for her. After a long but pleasant dinner, Ramona & I walked the mile plus back home while Anna & Andrie chose to take a cab. We arrived back about 20 minutes before they did as they had difficulty getting a cab.

Day 16
This morning we got up a little late, had coffee & cereal and later that morning trekked off towards the big super marked a mile and half from home. On the way we stopped at Cafe Creme for a cappuccino and a French pastry. As we had purchased quite a heavy load of groceries, took a taxi back home.

As has been our weekly habit, we again attended the Spanish-English social gathering at the English library. A little frustrating this time. The first two weeks of sharing, I learned a few important things. This time we had only two Spanish speaking people at our table, one who already knew English and not interested in learning or teaching, and the other could not escape from an American who wanted him all to herself. That left for an evening of trivial chatter about not much of anything. Pleasant night for a nice walk home.

Day 17
Walked nearly two miles to the much talked about Grand Market today. This is a marriage of massive structures that, within, house numerous booths of food vendors, shoe shops and various other fine items - mostly made cheaply in China I suspect. Narrow isles with hundreds of seasoned shoppers who know how to maneuver through congested walkways, made it difficult for this caned visitor to penetrate and reach an exit. It was the first time there and it will be the last time there for us.

After that experience we made our way to Hennessy's Irish Pub for a nice tall draft beer and some fish and chips. Then the long trek home. Over 5 miles this day. That now puts us over the 50 mile milestone - whatever that might mean.

A martini, a chunk of fine blue cheese, a little conversation with our house mates, and we are ready for bed.

Day 18
Met new housemates from Italy this morning. They live in Rome, are here for two nights, then move on to other areas of Mexico driving their rented car. This is also the day that Anna & Andrie leave us. They finished their five week stay in Merida, will be spending one night in Cancun before returning to their home in Vancouver Canada.

It's a rainy day today, the first time we have had a daytime rain since our arrival. That's ok because we had no pressing plans for the day anyway. It's nice to just hang out at home for a day.

Day 19
Long - long day. Good- good day. Walked to our most common morning hangout - Cafe Creme - for a latte & croissant. Then to the ADO (bus station) to buy our tickets to Cancun for our flight back to Minneapolis. And also to get tickets for Sundays ride to Campeche.

Then we bought a couple of food items at the supermarket close to ADO before a long walk to the city museum. In a fabulous old building is housed a lot of art and information about Merida and the history of the Yucatan area. It was a well worth adventure. On our walk home we stopped at a touristy restaurant for "Pechuga de pollo de empanizado parmesano" (chicken parmesan to us). Price $18. At our little neighborhood hole in the wall eatery we get the same thing (without the parmesan) for less than $4. But in the tourist area it looks "safer".

On our path home we found a nice little eatery with fantastic decor and ambiance and beautiful music in the background. Entering we saw pies. Pies in the Yucatan. Two apple pies and a pecan pie. We sat at a table overlooking a nice patio and garden, ordered a piece of the pecan a la mode and a couple of lattes. Had a wonderful conversation with the owner and then trekked or way back home fully exhausted. This day we would walk a total of more than 5 1/2 miles.

A late martini, a little reading, a little writing, a lot of bed.

Day 20
The coolness of the morning had us wearing long sleeves as we walked the neighborhood. By the time we returned we had peeled the top layers and were sweating from the heat & humidity. Later in the day it, again cooled to a comfortable temperature with a slight breeze.

All in all, we did little this day.

Day 21
Warm day. An incentive to, once again, hop a bus to Progreso where Mona can lounge out by the ocean soaking up sun. I am happily sitting under a nice thatch umbrella next to her. I am looking at the water and people along the playa as she looks at the under portion of her eye lids. No worries - am happy.

We ate at the recommended Flamingo Restaurant, a thatched roof place on the ocean that serves wonderful grilled grouper. The only problem I had is, unlike the other restaurants where we just got a beer, they served us free guacamole & chips. Here they brought some to the table, asked if we'd like to have some, we said sure, and our bill with a ridiculous cost that almost matched the price of the fish dinner.

Back to the beach, I order a beer just so we can sit on a chair in the sand - and I wanted one anyway. We didn't stay long as the beautiful sun found its way behind a cloud and the breeze turned cool.

Someone had given us a two for one coupon at a little cafe near the beach. We stopped for a margarita for Mona and a Pina colada for me. Included was some spiced carrots, cucumber pieces and a meat pastry. About $4. Then to the bus for the 20 minute ride back to Merida.

Day 22
Early morning (for us). Booked the 1st class bus to Campeche this morning and arrived about 2 1/2 hours later. A comfortable ride. Then a taxi ride to our hotel where we left our bag as we were too early to check in.

As we had about three hours to kill before check in, we walked the short distance to the old fort and walled city center, about 6 blocks. It was old. No sign of anything resembling a fort except an old stone wall about a quarter block square. A tiny bit of wall that they are trying to recreate was there but not very impressive. The rest of the area housed a bunch of shops selling the same kind of Chinese made crap we can find in Merida (or Minneapolis for that matter). But we found a nice restaurant bar that provided a good lunch, a beer, a "something" with turkey in it somewhere, and Mona's favorite - Flan for desert (which we ate before the dinner came and so, maybe, we should call it an appetizer). The food was fine and the flan was great.

It was oppressively hot in Campeche that day so we headed back to the hotel to cool off. On the way we found an ice cream shop perfect for a day like this so we entered and sat in the cool for a while satisfying my craving for chocolate. And then - off to check in.

The hotel lobby was nice. The room was lovely. Unfortunately it smelled like the sewer for the whole hotel was being vented into our room. I told the maid down the hall, in my best broken Spanish, that the room stunk. She came in - agreed - and proceeded to spray something in the bathroom that could shut down my lungs altogether.

I went to the front desk. They said, "oh just run the water in the shower for a few minutes and all will be fine". And so we did - and - who can tell anymore if there is any sewer gas with all that spray stuff still lingering. So we decided to leave the room for a while and see how it would be upon our return. Mona had a craving for something familiar to eat. Everything has been Yucatan or Mexican except our Valentines night out which was Argentinian done Yucatan. We stopped at the Best Western, ordered a wine for Mona, a beer for me and a BLT to split. It actually tasted like Minnesota made. The fries were familiar as well.

Then we returned to our room and it still stunk. I ran more water in the shower drain, closed the drain to the sink, put a plastic bag over the shower drain and went to bed. Then I got out of bed and turned off the air conditioner so I could hear myself sleep - if that ever would occur.

During all this, Mona just read her book, laughing from time to time from something she had just read. Life always seems to just continue along fine for her.

Day 23
The plastic bag over the shower drain mostly worked. Still a bit stuffy but that's at least partly due to having to turn the air off last night. In any case the goal is to make a hasty exit from this room.

Took a walk along the ocean front this morning. It got hot fast. One hour can turn acceptable into "let's find an air conditioned restaurant". We found a perfect place that served a decent cup of "Café Americano" and some luscious French Toast as well. Then to top off the perfect cool stay, we meet a young couple, she a lawyer from Mexico City, and he from Spain. We spent about an hour and half getting to know each other, sharing our mutual likes and where we had been.

Then back to the hotel to check out and take the free shuttle to the bus station. How easy can that be. NOT. The bus driver didn't show up for work this day - so - no apology - no offer of any other options, so we got a taxi. Let's see: Stinky room, no cooling, no shuttle. But the people there all had a nice friendly smile on their face. To be fair - the bed was comfortable, and the continental breakfast was acceptable.

So - we leave. Got a taxi quickly but traffic was heavy so it took awhile to get to the ADO. Once there I got tickets for the next bus to Merida which would leave in an hour. Our bus was called. We proceeded to the platform, were told that was not our bus, to go back and wait. Turned out it was our bus so we had to book on the next hours bus. Up side - met a couple from Vancouver who we had a nice long conversation with. Life goes on.

We arrived back early evening, hailed a taxi and soon were back at Kathleen's. The distance to the ADO from Kathleen's must be shorted than the distance from the ADO to Kathleen's because the taxi fare going to was 40 pesos but coming back was 60 pesos. Must have something to do with kilometers. But - we made it back safely. Another adventure. Happily sitting in the patio, martini in hand, and a wonderful chunk of blue cheese.

Day 24
A nice night in a nice bed in a nice room in Merida. We got up and walked to our most commonly visited French Cafe, the "Cafe Creme" for an omelette, a French croissant and a latte. Then strolled around a bit before realizing that it is becoming quite hot and humid. We have not experienced high humidly in Merida until this day.

Back to our home for a cool beer, a nice breeze and some reading.

The propane tank ran out of fuel last night. That made for a very refreshing shower. If there is an up side, because it is such a hot & humid day today, a cold shower was more tolerable than it might have been.

Mid afternoon we braved the heat to walk the 6 blocks to our little restaurant that serves Pechuga de Pollo Empanizado (breaded chicken breast). We've had it four times and being our last week we said goodbye to the family that owns it. Note: I still know of no name for the place - it's just the place on 41st between 82nd & 84th, I guess.

Being close to the Fruit-veg market, we picked up an avocado before heading home. We spent the rest of the day and evening just hanging around the coolest places we could find. Our daily cocktail hour on the patio and our room were enough to satisfy the remainder of the day.

Day 25
Made coffee. Had a bowl of cereal. Then headed out to find the bakery we had discovered a few days ago. It was going to be very hot this day so we started early. We knew the bakery was no more than 6 to 7 blocks in a south-eastern direction but could not remember the exact street. I asked a nice lady using my best Spanish, where the nearby bakery was. She joyfully went into a thousand mile per minute dissertation with hands flying. I thanked her and we never found the place. I must have missed a "derecha" or "izquierda" somewhere. Went home and had an egg a toast instead.

We ate at what has now become, quite late in our stay, my favorite restaurant "Casa Maryposo - Café Bistro". Today we shared the best chicken burrito I've ever had. Topping the meal off with an amazing piece of pecan pie a la mode didn't hurt either. The place is a beautifully appointed old home in immaculate condition owned by a lovely Mexican native who, until three years ago, had a Mexican Restaurant in Toronto Canada for 24 years. She is quite gregarious and, if you are there more than once, she stops and gets to know you as well as tell you about herself and her family. She seems to remember everything we've told her about our background and it's not hard to remember details of hers. It's the restaurant we'll remember most.

Because of heat (not as bad as the previous day), we pretty much hung around the house for the remainder of the day.

Day 26
It's departure eve so it had been scheduled as packing day. As packing for a journey home takes about ten minutes, that leaves plenty of time for other things.

We seem to have waited until the end of our stay to discover our favorite restaurants. This afternoon we walled a good mile and a half to experience a restaurant that Allison, our house mate, had recently discovered. It is upscale and specializes in fish dinners. We had a grilled salmon with a goat cheese topped by a purée sauce made with strawberries. With it we had a bottle of merlot. It all was marvelous. On our trek back we stopped at the comfortable Starbucks for a U.S. still latte.

The walk home that promised to be grueling due to the heat, was very pleasant because the sun was frequently behind clouds and there was a nice breeze. And, perhaps because of all that wine.

So - here it is, our last full day in Merida is quickly coming to an end. What better way to end it than have a martini while Mona mixes a margarita for herself. We seemed to plan our groceries pretty well. I used up most of the cheap gin I bought as Mona used up the cheap Toquilla. Only breakfast stuff left. Just enough coffee to get us started in the morning.

Day 27
Mostly packed, which means most of our stuff is near the suitcase we need to shove it into and hope it's not over 50 lbs. We didn't buy a bunch of junk so any extra weight would only be accumulated dirt on our clothes. It being a clean city I don't think we have much to worry about.

Then a little taxi trip to the ADO and we're ready to board our bus to Cancun. Of course it would not be a real vacation without forgetting something. Mona's favorite white sweater is still at Kathleen's, too late to go back and get so she will need to wait for the item to be mailed home. Our Christmas card that we sent in early December arrived at Kathleen's a week after we got there in February, so I don't hold that she will receive it yet this winter.

Now on the bus, it is not as comfortable as the one we arrived in. It is a 15 passenger bus with hard straight seats that are too close together. I'll be more careful about what bus I book next time. Thankfully, we had a few minute break at a roadside about two plus hours into our journey. It helped to stretch and take care of other necessities.

Got to the Cancun airport about 3:30, 4 hours before the scheduled flight to Minneapolis and an hour before we could check in. So - we sat at the Starbucks booth and drank a latte and munched on a piece of chocolate cake. The cost was ridicules but it managed to use up most of the remainder of my pesos.

After boarding an on-time flight and cruising for three and a half hours, we landed at the Humphrey terminal in Minneapolis, went through customs, got our luggage, called our neighbor, the Crown Plaza Hotel who graciously will to shuttle us, and got home by 1:00 a.m. The shuttle driver was kind to bring right to our condo front entrance so we did not have to endure the cruel subzero weather we had not been accustomed to for the last month.

And so it ends - another great adventure. Now to start planning for the next.

For what it's worth, during our February month in Merida, we walked nearly 75 miles - about 30 hours of walking. Not bad for an old guy with a back problem.