Viva Cancun!

We've traveled for weddings before, but I've never been to a "destination wedding". My cousin Tracy's husband, Edgar (and obviously his family) are Mexican, and the bride and groom have lived in Cancun for several years, so I don't know if it's a destination wedding for them, but it certainly was for us. Kev's parents agreed to watch Sabrina and Stephen from Saturday through Monday and we were lucky enough to be able to attend!

We celebrated our arrival in Cancun:

We caught a glimpse of Tracy getting photographed before we all left for the church. Absolutely lovely.

We also liked her paparazzi-like entourage:

Little did we know...

There are a number of differences between a Mexican wedding (even a Catholic one) and what we're used to here in the states.

First, Cancun time is approximate at best. We kept asking what the schedule/plan was, where we needed to be and when. We got laughed at when we did. Things happen when they happen, no need to stress. Being someone fueled by stress, this drove Kev nuts (to my amusement). A few margaritas were generally the cure.

Second, the Mass was entirely in Spanish (duh). I am learning new words along with the kids, but Dora the Explorer has yet to have a wedding episode, so I was pretty lost. Now if we had been required to save a manatee (ayuda me!) by swimming up-up-up (sube, sube, sube!) I would've been fine. Strangely, though, I was able to pick out words clearly during the looooonnnnggg sermon. I say strangely because when people speak in Mexico, they speak FAST. We later asked Tracy what he was saying. She laughed and told us that the content of the sermon was about love and togetherness, the usual, but he spoke excruciatingly slowly so that our side of the family could understand. Yep, the priest was using the universal language of Slow & Loud!

Finally, audience participation in the form of photography is a compulsion. Although they had three official photographers and a videographer, the pews cleared as everyone (except us) flooded to the altar to take pictures of every critical moment of the ceremony. Apparently this is just how things are done--I think Edgar's family thought we were odd for meekly staying in our seats.

This guy invented his own form of duel photography!

The reception was amazing (choice of tequila shot or margarita as we walked in the door) and the food was delicious. Did I mention that Tracy and Edgar met while salsa dancing? What a first dance!

And of course the father-daughter dance is always poignant.

Kev and I were drooping after such a long day, so we retired before midnight. After we left the party really got started. It was non-stop salsa dancing until 4 a.m.! I wish I still had that kind of stamina (& knew how to salsa)!

Kev and I had all day Sunday to do whatever we wanted. We started off by sleeping in (for us) then breakfast with my parents.

The view from our balcony:

Then we went to the beach to bask in the sun. I generally misted the spray sunblock on; Kev was more diligent. We went out about noon and found that it was warm and sunny with a great breeze to cool things down. Perfect.

We also discovered our cabana had waiter service! Even better.

All we had to do was stick this flag in the sand and the waiter would come by. The problem? One of us had to get up to move the flag!


I don't always drink beer, but when I do (and I'm in Mexico), I prefer Dos Equis.


According to the waiter, my drink was "vacation sized".

We were out by the beach ALL afternoon. We ended the day with a visit to the pool (READ: swin-up pool bar). I should've realized what trouble I was in when my skin stung as I was getting into the pool. Kev was a bit red, but otherwise fine. I was well-done. I slept off the sun (and margaritas) but rallied and caught up with Kev, Tracy&Edgar and Kelly&Ryan for a "cousins only" night.

I was in a world of hurt during our journey back. The backs of my legs took the brunt of it--the back of the knees has got to be one of the more painful places to be burned. Taught me a valuable lesson: don't just use sunscreen, use gooey sunscreen and apply it liberally. :(

It's really great when you realize how much you like the people your related to. It just sucks that we're not all closer. Happily, we'll all be getting together in Colorado next summer for Kelly&Ryan's wedding! We're planning to bring the kids and hopefully have more than a whirlwind stay.

Until then, VIVA CANCUN!