In late February, I experienced a little culture shock when I joined my US family at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico for the destination wedding of my nephew Lucas and his bride, Irais. I hadn’t seen my US family in almost a year, and I’ve never been to the Caribbean before, much less a resort like this,
so this trip was quite a treat for me.
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| After getting so accustomed to life in Ecuador, I was surprised how fast I adapted to the swim-up bars to retrieve a mojito or margarita on a whim. What a life! |
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| My sister and I spent a whole day just pool hopping! |
The wedding of course was beautiful. It was wonderful to see how they integrated both US and Mexican customs throughout the ceremony. I’m so lucky I was able to share this day with them.
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| Together with my brother Jim and my sister Julie. |
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| Family |
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| The day after the wedding, we rented a catamaran to snorkel, paddle board and sail to Isla Mujeres. The green-blue waters were magical. |
Thanks to the happy couple for organizing such a wonderful event!
On the third day, my sister Julie and I wandered the markets and parks of downtown Cancun. The artwork was amazing.
After this, I took a late-night flight and an overnight taxi to join my Ecuadorian family for their not-to-miss family celebration of Carnaval. My re-entry into Ecuador, and specifically into a complete opposite socio-economic lifestyle, was mind-boggling. Stay-tuned for my next posts about the traditions of Carnaval,
and the life of their grandparents,
in the high mountain Ecuadorian countryside.
