Mexican Honeymoon Memories

Well, our honeymoon to Mexico is officially behind us, but we have some incredible pictures and memories of our trip. Most of all, I think we stumbled upon many new insights on this 10-day experience of sun and fun. Here are just a few of our favorites:

1. Mike loves taking on the role of "cultural liaison" for the Roltgen family, but he is still working on honing his skills. I was just about ready to fire him when he secured a "taxi ride" for us in an unmarked SUV from a guy who looked like he could have been a Mexican drug lord in a former or current life.

2. The response "MUCHOS GRANDE" is not the appropriate answer to the question, "COMO ESTA?" You will get made fun of by Spanish-speaking hotel employees!

3. Before swimming in a particular cenote (which we learned is not pronounced "C-note"), we sought "permission" by attending a "Mayan purification ceremony." The four-year-old in our party threw up all over the ceremony area because the incense stunk! I think the Mayan medicine man was "cleansing" the area for hours after we left :) All you could see was a smoke cloud in the jungle over the ceremony area.

4. The Mayan medicine man predicted Mike and I will have 12 children. His exact words were, "Cheaper by the dozen, no?" GOOD LORD!

5. The ruins and stories of Chichen Itza were amazing. I can't even begin to describe the mathematical and logical genius behind the largest temple. Mike was fascinated and plans to bore his students with the information :) And somehow, our guide had a way of making the history of "human sacrifices" seem so ritualistic and embedded in the culture that it was hard to remember the atrocity of the entire situation. I definitely want to see Tulum and Coba on our next adventure!

6. Feeding the chinchillas outside your hotel room results in the entire chinchilla family stalking your balcony area for the remainder of the trip.

7. Mike is an incredible barterer, but he makes me want to disappear into the ground when he starts haggling! His general "rules of the road" are (a) never pay more than a third of the price they are asking, (b) walk away to prove you are serious about your price, (c) always have a digital watch from Walmart as a trading option, and (d) don't involve Tiff in any of the negotiations.

8. Cab, van, and bus drivers in Mexico seem to be either unaware of speed limits or it simply does not matter. They also love driving as fast as possible until about 3 feet before the speed bumps, screeching to a stop, and then slamming on the gas again. Note: There are speed bumps EVERYWHERE in Mexico...on back roads, highways, hotel lanes, etc.

9. There is no place like home! I think I've eaten two pounds of cheese, milk, ice cream, and yogurt today. I love Wisconsin dairy. No goat cheese for this girl!

10. I love love love love love my husband. Happy honeymoon sweetie!