Thank goodness for Max’s strong arms. Between me, Max and Sheila (Jim’s mom who will be visiting us for 10 days) we are lugging five 23-pound carry-ons and four 55-pound duffle bags on 2 planes, 2 buses, 4 taxis and a boat ride back to Belize. We are 2 planes and one taxi ride down and just had the scare of our life. We had dragged our bags up the stairs, down the hall and into our postage stamp sized hotel room in Cancun when, with disbelief, it slowly dawned on us that two of our carry-on bags containing scuba gear (expensive) and many of Max’s most treasured possessions (also expensive) were missing.
As the sick realization set in that they truly weren’t there I starting running back to the bus terminal. I either left them in the terminal or in the taxi which was long gone, neither of which boded well for recovery. This is Mexico after all. A couple of minutes later, our taxi passed me on the road, the driver waving me down. He was on his way back to our small hotel with our bags. The round jolly driver hops out of the taxi, opens his arms wide and says, “Ah, Mexico, eets a good, good country”, gives me the bags and happily drives off. I could have cried I was so relieved. Good people are everywhere. It also reminded me that I am not fully functional these days and I need to be more cautious.
Last week I had a car accident; the first of my life (where I was driving). My fault! (the lady slammed on her brakes for a pedestrian that she didn’t see and I crashed right into her). 4,000 to 5,000$ worth of damage! Twice I have missed exits that are second nature to me and not realized until over an hour later, not to mention other assorted bizarre memory related lapses. I’m not thinking it has anything to do with the accident, I think it’s the other way around. And I just walked into a curb and chunked out a couple of pieces of my big toe. But Yay – I can’t believe that we got our bags back. I am so happy.
This past weekend Max and I completed our open water dives for our PADI scuba certification and not a moment too soon. We finished up yesterday and flew out early this morning. I look like a fish out of water with the constant opening and closing of my mouth trying to equalize. From down in the deep to high in the sky, I hope my ears pop back soon.
The Flip Side of Fifty 
Diving and Flying do not mix 24 hrs between Have fun
yup yup. We were taught 18 hours and Johanne, our instructor had us out right on the money. but certainly close for sure.
Arlene, Sorry we didn’t have time to catch up this past week , between my shifts and your busy schedule , we didn’t have a hope….. Where was the accident???
ya that was a real drag. i wish we had had time to visit. but like you said, with your shifts and the schedual that i was keeping for this particular visit, it was pretty daunting. i did get the certification though and that was great. the accident was in Ottawa at teh corner fo pincrest and carling. such a drag. how are plans going for the wedding? i am sure that all is well. but would love to hear your update and news when you have time.lots of hugs,Arlene > Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:52:12 +0000 > To: wanderkids@hotmail.com >
Ah hun you’ve just been trying to be super woman! And you are. Sorry bout the car and hope you’ve no whiplash! Almost “home” and you can relax, breathe and recover from the past two weeks! Yes there are good honest people every where. Thank goodness
hugs and more hugs to you sherri. i thing that my neck has been a bit sore but it has spent al ot of time on planes, buses and boats. i am fine. we did our dive at Prescott Docks. so glad that that is done. love ya, arlene > Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:55:18 +0000 > To: wanderkids@hotmail.com >
Pa where did you end up doing the dive? Was it wet suits?
Looks like life is normal for you there as here; always in turmoil !!! Time to sit back and sip a cool one, maybe a pina colada ?? You’ve certainly earned the pleasure.
a cool drink on a warm day. lovely. hope you are well hugs, Arlene
Hi Kadie! I’m so glad the big work of making this happen is almost over and you can begin to just enjoy being there! Ahhhhh…..I can almost smell that wonderful sea air and how delightful to have a sunny warm winter ahead! Thanks for sharing on your blog. Nancy xoxo
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tHi Nancy, thanks for reading it. hope you are well. Sure hope to see you guys this winter. there is a couch with your name on it. lots of hugs, K
By nature people are fairly honest and would return things that are not theirs… just curious about your accident, since it happened outside Ontario, was it covered by your car/travel insurance?
my accident was in ontario.