Mexico [reviewed]

Yesterday after arriving home from our two-week vacation-hiatus I took a nap. That is the person I have become. Today I have been trying to talk my brain into switching back into “real world” mode, but it’s being quite difficult – throwing temper tantrums, pouting and even refusing to function properly. Which is why small tasks like unpacking, returning emails and sorting through mail has seemed like an attempt to complete a triathlon. Nonetheless, we are home and thank goodness we are since this outbreak of swine flu has everyone in an uproar. Had our vacation been scheduled for this week it would have been cancelled. Without travel insurance.

Corey made a good point our second day in Mexico by pointing out that this is our first time visiting another country and doing….nada. We’re used to traveling, exploring and educating ourselves just a tad more. This was nothing less than a demand for our muscles to turn to mush, our brains to go into hibernation and our digestive system to be overwhelmed with the best of salsa, guacamole, chili rellenos and fresh pina coladas.

I’m feeling a bit sick today (don’t worry…there is no temperature, it’s just a cold). Well, a bit this morning, a tad more around lunch time and a smidgen more this afternoon. So, my words are few. But, I have photos which I think speak for themselves.

[most landscape photos were taken with my Canon 5d, all others were taken with our Panasonic DMC-LX3]

[kate] waiting at Ruby Tuesday for our plane.

[seth] taking a snooze while chewing on a straw.

the birthday boys opening their matching t-shirt gifts from me.

[corey]

[seth & kate]

[corey] enjoying a little anthony bourdain.

[seth] now, I know what you must be thinking. this picture is a bit of a shock after the serenity your eyes have just been feasting on, but it’s the best descriptor of our week together. peaceful rest mixed with a million laughs. seth, you should be a full-time model. you are smokin’!

[me & kate] + 8. Okay, not really, but it is plus 1. Kate is in fact pregnant.

[me & my babe]

[kate & seth] the sound of laughter.

[seth] winning at poker and apparently quite intrigued by my camera.

[seth ... kate] taken with kate’s Canon Elph (along with the following four photos).

[seth and corey] diving into a fresh water cenote.

[seth] “For you, Sir?” “Umm…do you have Pina Coladas?” “Yes, of course” “Big?” “You like joombo?” “Yes! Jumbo!”

educational day included traveling to and around the Myan Ruins.

handmade pyramid. 12 stories high. from the bottom … from the top.

this picture does not in the least capture the uniqueness and beauty of this tree. it’s branches grow up, out and then down to the earth where they then act like roots. very cool and lord of the rings’ish.

[corey] flying home and attempting to ruin my photo of him. if only he knew that I cannot be deterred.

[mexico] in all it’s splendor from above.

Our lovely time in Mexico was followed by a dreamy weekend at our family home in Banner Elk, North Carolina. It was us (Corey and I), my parents, his parents, his four brothers, 1 wife, 1 fiance and 1 girlfriend. I’ve thought long and hard about all the things I’d like to share of our time we often spend together there, but all the thoughts I have I know would sound fake and cheesy written out on here. So, just trust me when I say it’s one of the best places on Earth. It’s like our very own Disney World, but without the crowds, heat and stress of it all. It’s just a simple house, nestled in the mountains, surrounded by all things green, wildflowers, two small lakes perfect for fishing and the sounds of all things that define family. Sometimes I get more out of a place when I’m looking at it through my lens, but this trip to Banner Elk was most fulfilled with my camera in it’s bag. Lucky for all of us my father-in-law is a photographer and will not go anywhere without his camera documenting it all. I’ll post pictures of his soon!

Love!

jc