We are now bi-costal ex-pats

I just got back from Merida today.  We had planned to drive there after flying back from the US but with the delayed flights and Ellen getting sick, we just couldn’t get it together to go.  So yesterday I took an ADO bus from Playa to Merida.  These busses are known for their ice-box conditions and I was so hoping the lovely airline blankets would magically appear before my eyes, but instead, I wrapped my nightgown around me head and covered my pants with the rest of my clothing from my overnight bag.

When I traveled around South America in the late 80’s I used buses and hitched pretty exclusively.  I actually hitched a ride on a private plane once in Chile, but that’s a story for another day.  It was really nice traveling without having to worry about entertaining someone who is fond of saying, “I’m bored” or worrying about them having enough food or going to the bathroom.  It was also lovely to come home to all that.  I loved traveling on my own but I much prefer seeing the world through my kids eyes.  Even when those eyes are cranky and hungry and bored.

I got to Merida around midnight, woke the nightwatchman and left this morning bright and early headed to the Monex office to pick up checks.  Six checks and one signature later, the notario pronounced me (and only me, so Jamie better be nice) the proud new owner of number something street 84, Merida.  I’m pretty sure the notaio has better datos than I do.    I then walked back to the bus station, missed one bus waiting in line (PdC has a ticket seller for last minute bus fares but in Merida everyone waits in one line) and caught the next one.  It was a FAST ride home as it made none of the stops the bus TO Merida made; 4.5 hours and I was in the van headed home.  Well, our Caribbean home.  Because now we have a Gulf home.  Well, we’re 45-60 mintues from the Gulf.  But we’ll call it a Gulf home for the title to make sense.