Being out of the water drags on.....

I moved hotels on Saturday. I loved Pacific Surf School, the rooms were big, there was wi-fi, a pool and a great, quiet atmosphere. But it is so hot here it is impossible to go anywhere during the day without losing half my body weight in water. The walking problem is only going to get worse when I start surfing again as the best waves are located in Playa Carmen, about a mile south of Pacific Surf School.

So I moved to a small room with the strangest bathroom/shower. It is a free-standing system with aluminum frames and plastic walls that could be plopped anywhere. It's not pretty, but it's funcational The room is right on the main road at the main intersection close to the mall and about 200 yards from the waves of Playa Carmen.

I am going to go back to the doctor tomorrow to get clearance to get back in the water and start up my surf lessons again. I've been doing yoga once or twice daily, but am excited to get back in the water and surf again.

Over the past few days I have made some observations about Mal Pais:

- There are a lot of Argentinians and Isrealis here. This is great for diversity and, of course, for dining. But the town is so small and the pace is so slow I find it odd there is such a high concentration of expats from these countries. Most of them surf, which explains some of it, but not all.

- There is the biggest turkey I've ever seen roaming around a random house by the Super Costa supermarket. It's apparent I am outside the US because that thing would have never made it past our Thanksgiving.

- There is only one liquor store and only one armed guard in Mal Pais. He is at the liquor store and acts as the doorman/security guard as he holds his rifle in one hand and opens the door for patrons with the other.

- The best smoothies are always made with sugar. I knew this before I came here, but it continues to be one of life's certainties.