We looked forward to Rosie's and Jackson's spring equinox trip to Mérida for about 6 months, and tried to plan for things they would find enjoyable. We all had a few surprises while they were here--mostly things that we couldn't control, like THE WEATHER, but they were very good sports and Heavenly Father provided some interesting experiences, too.
March 16 we met them at the airport in Cancún and then left for Playa del Carmen where we would spend the night.

We walked 5th Avenue in the warm evening, looking at the displays arranged for tourists, then went to eat yummy tacos al pastor at a sidewalk stand.

Our hotel was right in the middle of the night life, but it had atmosphere--and a TV, so Gerhard discovered that if you keep the TV on until you fall asleep you don't hear the music playing all around you.

The next morning we were planning to go to Cozumel so the kids could ride ATVs and snorkel in the famous reefs, but we awoke to a rainy day. Then we found that the ferry to Cozumel had changed its schedule and would leave an hour later. We called Wildtours and changed our reservation to 1:00 P.M. A light rain was falling but there were still lots of people going on the ferry.


In Cozumel the rain was heavier and cold, so a jacket for Rosie and a poncho for Jackson were priority items. We all put on our rain gear and walked the streets with the rest of the tourists, wondering when the fun would start. We were at Margaritaville at 1:00 where we met Sam Wilcoxen, who was in charge of the tour, and told him we were canceling, since there was no snorkeling anyway.

Even the pelicans were not sure it would be a good day.

La Misión lived up to its reputation as the best place to eat on the island. The mariachis played "Viva Chihuahua" for Gerhard at Jackson's request. After a big bowl of delicious lime soup, the coconut shrimp was almost more than I could eat.

About 3 o'clock the rain stopped and the sun came out, so we rented a car and drove around the island. Rosie and Jackson walked on an almost un-improved beach and found some beautiful seashells. We celebrated with an ice cream cone and returned on the ferry after dark. The lights of Cozumel twinkled along the shoreline.

The next morning as we arrived at the archaeological zone of Tulum, the flying ___________ were doing their thing to the accompaniment of a haunting flute. They were happy to pose with Rosie and Jackson before we boarded the little train to take us closer to the site.


Look at the beautiful ocean!

At last, the chance to snorkel!

Gerhard got closer to the ocean than ever before!

Just beautiful!

Friday we worked the morning shift at the temple, while the kids went to scout the beach at Progreso. Their evaluation: Nice beach to read a book on. That night we went to a session so we could show them off and they could see where we work. Actually it was their treat to us--to be with them in that sacred setting and know that they are living worthily so we can be together. What greater gift could kids give their parents?
Saturday morning, March 20, we again worked in the morning from 4:oo to 9:00 AM, so we could go with a tour group to Chichén Itzá for the spring equinox. First they took us to a cenote for a short time to swim, then to a buffet lunch with a gillion other people on tours.



At last, the Great Pyramid...

We have been trying to get a picture of the "bearded man" which no one can explain, since the Mayan people didn't wear beards. Does anyone want to guess what bearded man visited the people on this continent long before the Spaniards arrived?

The magic hour when the "snake crawls down the pyramid" and Spring has arrived bringing a lot of energy to those who came to the pyramid.

Our group had enjoyed a good afternoon, even though they had threatened to "sacrificar Gerardo":)

Back in Mérida we saw another kind of energy--the PAN was having political rallies in the parks with chants and music. This street parade even had Mayan women marching and carrying posters
.

Sunday morning at 4:00 AM the sky was completely clouded over and rain was forecast. We were already up and Smiths were ready to go with us, so we joined a very few fanatics for the spring equinox at Dzbiltachun. People had all kinds of ways to entertain themselves while we waited in the dark and the drizzle.


until sunrise when we all went hometo sleep for a couple of hours before going to sacrament meeting with Canek Ward.
Proof that this wasn't a dream...
Rosie and Jackson hadn't seen much of Mérida in the daylight so we did the Guagua tour
to see the centuries-old houses built in French and Moorish styles and the statues along Montejo Avenue,
the many churches (Franciscan style featured three bell towers)
and this time we were shown the building that houses the instruments used at the time of the Inquisition in Mérida.

We finished Sunday afternoon by packing, cleaning and getting ready for the next morning that would mean our regular schedules would soon resume. Rosie called Monday evening to let us know they were back in Utah and that all was well.
What more could we ask for?