Stranger in My Room

As if being sick with a high fever wasn’t enough, I had a truly terrifying experience last night. I woke up to find a creepy guy who had opened my room door, turned on my light, and was just standing there staring at me. My heart raced as I flew out of bed, yelled at him to leave, and quickly locked the door. He banged on it for a while before seemingly leaving.

But the story doesn't end there. When I reviewed the hotel security footage, I discovered that he came back a few times throughout the night. It was so unsettling to see him lurking around. I've learned my lesson and will never leave my door unlocked again!

I captured the security footage and my initial reaction on video. If you're curious to see what happened, you can watch the full video. Stay safe, everyone!

Montezuma's Revenge

Not sure how this nasty bug got into my system but it's sure doing a good job of wreaking havoc on my body. I've been sick for the past few days. The first night was absolutely horrible, throwing up, fever, diarrhea. It was hell! My stomach cramps were so bad they were comparable to labour pains. I took a T3 (Tylenol with codiene) and it barely did anything. I didn't sleep at all. I spent the entire night in the bathroom. Brutal.

Whatever this bacteria is, it's a bad one. Last year when I had this I never had a fever. This time my temperature was at 101.5 for a while. Since I'm covered in mosquito bites, at first I was worried I had Dengue Fever, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. But once the fever broke yesterday, I figured it wasn't Dengue and I took my first dose of the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). I was hoping this was a bacterial infection and not a virus because antibiotics don't work on viruses. With a virus you just have to wait it out and let it run its course. I seem to be getting better so the Cipro is working. This must be from a bacteria I picked up in something I ate. My Mexican friends always tell me not to eat tacos from the street vendors, but I never listen. They are so tasty and affordable. I can't help myself!

So now it's day 3 of Montezuma's Revenge and I'm on the mend. The killer cramps are finally gone and I've stopped throwing up. I'm hoping as the Cipro works it's magic that I'll be able to spend less time in the bathroom. I don't have an appetite. I'm not eating anything. I think I need to give my poor guts a break and stay on liquids for a few more days. Yes Mom I'm drinking lots of water and thanks to my friends who brought me electrolyte drinks I'm staying hydrated with those too. I'll survive. This is just what happens sometimes in paradise.

This too shall pass. (Pun definitely intended) 

My arsenal of defense

Happy Thanksgiving!

Being Canadian I was lucky enough to have two Thanksgiving dinners this year. It was American Thanksgiving today. Me and about 150 people gathered at Esmeralda's Restaurant in Melaque for a delicious turkey dinner. The food was great, I loved the Mexican live music and I even managed to find the last piece of pumpkin pie in the room. Our waitress said "Sorry pie is over." What? Noooo. I wouldn't settle for that. I spied a lone piece of pie sitting on the counter near the kitchen, so I got up and successfully apprehended it for our table to share. Mmm pumpkin pie. Woo hoo for small victories! :)

It was a fun night with some wonderful friends. I have so much to be thankful for.

I'm in Love

He's so cute!

Yes, it's true - I’ve fallen for a sweet, loving guy. He's a little Mexican stray who looks like a mini Shepherd. I suspect he was someone's pet and got lost during the hurricane. He's incredibly friendly and gets along well with kids, dogs, cats -everyone. As much as I adore him, I don’t think I can keep him. I'm hoping to find someone who can give him a loving home.

UPDATE - January 

Great news! I found him a home in BC. He'll be staying with me until I leave next month, and then he'll be flying to BC with me. 😊

Day of the Dead - Barra de Navidad

This post is 'Part 1 of what I did last night' because I have so many photos to post in Part 2 and strippers don't really go well with the Day of the Dead. Yes I said strippers. (I wonder how many of you are about to skip straight to Part 2 lol)

Last night before going to the bar for some drinking, dancing and stripper action, I watched the Catrina contest and had a look at some of the altars on the streets in Barra de Navidad.

The Day of the Dead celebration usually happens on November 1st and 2nd, but due to Hurricane Patricia the annual holiday was postponed by a few weeks in areas that were damaged by the hurricane and flooding.

I always enjoy seeing the altars and how a family honors their loved ones. It feels sad and joyous at the same time. Family is everything.

The Catrinas were beautiful, they put so much creativity into making their costumes and doing their makeup.

The Catrina with the big black hat won the contest. Very cool.

The Catrina represents a dead wealthy woman. It's meant to show that even if you're rich, all the money in the world can't save you from death. How true. So spend your money and live it up while you still can! 

Pinapples & Potions

If you're looking for rattlesnake soap, pirated movies, perfume that promises to make you rich, or potions claiming to cure just about anything, I've got the market for you. Every Wednesday in Melaque, the travelling outdoor market, known as the tianguis, sets up shop. I can never visit the tianguis without buying something.

This time, I couldn't resist grabbing another pair of my favorite sandals - I now have five pairs in different colours. I also picked up a delicious pineapple from the pineapple vendor. Unfortunately, I forgot that buying a pineapple first meant carrying it around all day and then hauling it back to my motel. Next time, I'll remember to buy it last!

I thought this was 'sick in the head' medicine - dolor de cabeza actually means headache

Fresh pineapple and a hug!

All I needed was some gold and I'd have a gift for the baby Jesus 

I passed on the 100% natural viper soap

Cows, skulls, rubber chickens, they've got it all here

Clothes for about 2 bucks a piece

I added these leopard print beauties to my sandal collection

Melaque Skim Board Competition Photos

Today's Life Lesson is Simple

Wear sunscreen.