Feb 11-12

Yesterday we welcomed another sunrise over the ocean from our place at cesiak. (Our basic routine has been a very early bed time, like about 7 p.m. - and that included adults for the first few nights- and generally all of us waking before dawn. Hence, lots of amazing sunrises.) Then we packed up and re-entered civilization. We made a quick stop in Tulum and then headed to Punta Laguna, Mayan village inland that has started a tourist cooperative and is working to develop a viable business. It was an amazing. First the drive in, along small country roads, with flocks of green parrots. Then we arrived in the little village and met our guide. We were looking for spider monkeys in the wild, which they have a large colony there. There are also howler monkeys, jaguars, pumas and crocodiles, although on the other side of a beautiful lake. We spotted a monkey early on and were treated with lots of chances to observe monkeys eating, swinging through the trees and to Keira's delight, with baby monkeys on their backs. The jungle was amazing too, with vines, and barb studded trees and many colonies of leaf cutter ants who had created their own highways throughout the jungle. Jason was hotter than I had ever seen him or perhaps anyone. He started to wilt after an hour but stuck close to the guide, recognizing quite rightly that he was the one who could get him out of the jungle safely. Keira had one of her whinier hours ever which was surprising given that she loves animals but the whole expeirence wasn;t working for her. She saw one mama and baby and was done!
After the monkeys, we got back on the road, then took the wrong road and couldn't seem to get on the fast higway so shadowed it along a slow road that passed through several lovely Mayan villages.
We are settled into our rental home in Merida. It is absolutely beautiful. In Merida, lots of people including many expats, restore old houses. Casa Bonita has a main house with 5 rooms, including an amazing bathroom (will post photos someday, not good at describing interior design). The floors are antique and each room has a different pattern and colour. There is a small courtyard, and then the kitchen building, which is the kitchen of my dreams. Bright tiles, screened windows all around, huge 6 burner gas stove (I really want a six burner stove) and a nice big table to gather round. Then there is more courtyard, leading into the grassed backyard around the great pool. There is a lovely garden with banana and papaya trees and cacti. The kids are enjoying it too and discovering various baskets of toys to play with. In typical Gass Lachance style, despite the fact that there are two bedrooms, we are all snuggled into one, warm puppy style.
Today we explored Merida, walking pas a number of major parks and churches to the main plaza and Cathedral. the kids were motivated for this walk becaue we had promised them a pinata each. So we found pinata street in the market, they chose matching burro pinatas and we found a few little things to put in them. (We also found uber cheap Hello Kitty party supplies for Keira's Bday. so what if they are in spanish!!!)We then went to the main market which I think was a great experience for the kids and we loved. Much bustling and bargaining.
We filled and popped the pinata and decided to take advantage of the clouds and light rain and headed to Uxmal, a ruin south of the city. It was really great - larger in scale than we had seen yet on this trip. Despite announcing upon arrival taht she "would watch from her car window", Keira enjoyed exploring. Jason is turning into a junior archaologist and was begging for more unexcavated ruins when we had to leave.
The kids seem to be quite settled into our trip. We expected more whining and homesickness; instead, we are generally pleased with their enthusiasm for everything - churches, ruins, markets, beaches, cenotes and of course, playing. They are both good at greeting and thanking people in Spanish. Keira has developed an obsession with coloured, scented Mexican toilet paper. Jason will likely reveal that he is trilingual by the end of the trip. Heather and I are loving the trip and aren't frustrated (as I had feared) by the family focus of the trip. Instead, their joy is a great experience in itself.