Life is good!

Just got back from vacation . . .

We don't need any pity this time!!! We had plenty of warm weather, sunny skies, and a wonderful extended family of ten that we still love even after a week together under one roof.

We spent last week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico which is about 45 minutes south of Cancun and across from the small island of Cozumel. It is much more quaint and quiet than Cancun, but growing rapidly and starting to show the inevitable signs of commercialization.

Last year, Ten Grand View image spent a week together in Grand Cayman. For the first time, we enjoyed the perks of staying together in a house rather than in a hotel and feared that we had spoiled ourselves rotten. View image

Now we feel even more spoiled.

In Playa del Carmen, we stayed in a magnificent, six-bedroom, private ocean-front villa. It's in a quiet neighborhood within a short walk to 5th Avenue, the "main drag" in Playa. The living quarters and bedrooms all surround a large open courtyard with a swimming pool, lush greenery and mutliple nooks for sitting or hiding. All but one bedroom has an ocean view so we had to "suffer" with the sound of crashing waves all night long and awaken to the sunrise in our bedroom every morning. The beach was washed out by a hurricane several years ago, but there was a small beach beside our villa and plenty of beach to walk in nearby Playa.

A spiral staircase off the front porch led up to a private sundeck. From here you can peer out across the ocean or down into the courtyard.

The kids spent most of their time in the pool. Gramma & Grampa spent a lot of time beside the pool watching.

Rachel and Samantha take a brief break from the pool.

Another break for a tropical drink at a local bar.

The kids never tired of being together and are incredibly bonded to each other despite the span of years and the lack of any common gene.

Samantha and Rachel are great buddies, but Jeff and Sarah have a bond that transcends words.

Although we would have been content to spend the entire week in our villa, we did venture out to be tourists.

The ruins of Tulum.

Exploring the Xcaret eco-park where we also enjoyed snorkeling an underground river.

Snorkeling at Xel-Ha.

We took the ferry over to Cozumel and spent one day scootering the island, most of which is still undeveloped.

But no matter how hard you try, you still can't escape the "civilized" world!

Lest ye think all was perfect bliss, you should know better!
The Jungbauers never vacation without misfortune. This trip was no exception.

The first morning of our vacation, I arose with the sun and headed out for my morning run while the rest of the household slept.

Yes, I was bit by a dog!!!

It wasn't very deep, but it definitely took a chunk out of my leg. Nothing that could be stitched back together, but . . . what about rabies?!?!?

Well, at least there is no "access to care" problem here in Mexico.

. . . and it's easy to get drugs, but what about the rabies vaccine?

Despite all this, I still wasn't very eager to use the Mexican healthcare system. On the other hand, you die from rabies. Period. Hmmmmm. Not a great alternative.

So I summoned Steve to get the car so I could retrace my steps and find that dog! (There's not much logic in that since: #1) I probably wouldn't find it. #2) Even if I found it, or its owner I doubt I would trust them if they told me its shots were up-to-date.)

Despite lack of logic, we went on a dog hunt.

As we pulled up to the house where the attack happened, Steve had to slow down to avoid running over the two dogs sleeping in the middle of the street. He stopped, got out of the car, and was greeted by two very mellow, collared dogs that quietly and gently sniffed him! I opened my door and the attack dog quickly came over to me and sniffed his breakfast site on my leg!

"Oooooo, what fierce, mongrel dogs, honey!" said Steve.

So . . . even though we could not find the owners, I was reassured that my attacker was not rabid and relieved that I did not have to use the Mexican healthcare system.

Before I left, I did post a few warning signs along my running path, though.

Adios amigos.