Final Thoughts, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Whether it's a father and son out for a sunset sail on a small boat.......

....or a couple on a catamaran......

...or a larger group of folks on a midday party cruise, everyone enjoys the dazzling warm azure/turquoise seas and warm weather of the Riviera Maya......

..........even those that stay by the pool. (Processed in Snapseed)

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So, here's the roll-up of useless but maybe interesting info about this trip.

Total Days in Mexico - 78
Total Days in Quintana Roo State - 77
Total Days in Yucatan State - 1
Total Days in the town of Puerto Morelos - 28
Total Days in in the town of Puerto Aventuras - 28
Total Days in the town of Cancun - 22

Number of days with a rental car - 21, spread over three separate rentals. Each vehicle was the cheapest model available and all had manual transmission (average cost $38/day USD)
Number of times I stalled the engine using poor clutch technique - 1
Number of times I was honked at when driving - a few
Number of "topes" driven over too fast - 1
Number of bus rides - 25
Number of taxi rides - 5
Exercise kilometers walked - 230+

Number of avocados consumed - over 300
Number of papayas consumed - over 20
Number of days without papayas or avocados - 0
Number of tortillas consumed - over 250
Number of blue corn tortillas consumed (the best ever) - not nearly enough
Number of meals in restaurants - 20
Number of meals at home - 200+
Number of days with intestinal upset - 1

Number of days when temperature was cool - 5 (twice it went below 60 F)
Number of days overcast almost all day - 6

Number of times scammed - 1 (by a Pemex gas station attendant in Tulum - he charged us for more gas than the car could hold by not zeroing the pump when he started - we weren't quick enough to catch him and we couldn't prove it)

Number of times treated unkindly or inhospitably by locals in any setting anywhere (except the scammer) - 0

Number of times I butchered the Spanish  language - Every Single Time I Opened My Mouth
Number of times Amy was mistaken for being a native Spanish speaker - Frequently

During the Northern Hemisphere winter, the Riviera Maya region of Mexico is warm, it doesn't rain much, it is sunny most of the time, it is windy much of the time, it offers good value for both accommodations and food, and has friendly people.  Many people speak or understand some English.  They are geared for and focused on tourism (mostly US and Canadians).  We might go back next year it was such a winner!

The single biggest lesson I take home with me from this trip is this:

A personal goal to take the time to be more helpful and understanding with anyone who doesn't speak English in the US but is trying to communicate with me.  There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to speak the native tongue when in a foreign country - I know this from experience. Folks here appreciated my efforts to try to speak their language (even badly) and were very patient and tried to be helpful to me.  I want to do the same to others. A few words, a few smiles, and a few hand gestures can accomplish wonders in any language.

 ¡Adios, Mexico, Hasta Luego!