Monday, June 23, 2008

A taste of the foreign life....


It's interesting to be in Mexico, because everyone from around the world visits Mexico....not just Americans and not just Canadians -- everyone. People from Europe visit Mexico. People from England visit Mexico. People from South America visit Mexico. And all of these places have their own unique styles, many of which we came across during our trip to Mexico. On our second day there we were sitting by a family from Dallas and their daughters kept coming up to the pool talking about the topless woman on the beach. The kids were so worked up and of course their dad had them go and take a picture (such a man thing to do). I must admit I got a bit curious myself and took a walk on the beach as well and sure enough, there they were hanging out there -- and they were big. Then there are the issues of speedos. Something I will never, ever understand, even if they are accepted in other parts of the world. There was one guy in particular who seemed especially proud of his speedo as he would walk around the pool a lot -- well turns out, we spent an entire day with him, his wife and son when we did the "Mayan Adventure." It was a small group (six couples) and he turned out to be a really nice guy -- and I'm glad that we had a chance to get to know him because I had assumed he was nasty considering the speedo he was wearing. (the group picture is posted -- the speedo guy, obnoxious England man, you can guess which one he was, our German tour guide in the front, and our driver aka Speedy Gonzales and he really was).

Anyway, another interesting thing you learn when you are in another country is what people really think about Americans. Talking with the English man on the drive, I asked him this question -- his response...."The bloody problem with Americans is that they love guns too much." I dismissed this thinking -- whatever, he doesn't know anything -- besides, he told Joel and I that we were the first Americans he had ever met. So, when I got home the first person I called was my brother Patrick -- he told me to hang on, hadn't even said hello yet -- and (I'm not making this up) asked someone at a book store where their books on cleaning and loading guns were -- OK -- so we love our guns too much. At least we have love!
Side note -- I just looked at the picture again and I see I have a bit of cleavage. That's big news for me. This picture was taken after we had kayaked through the jungle. Notice how wet we all are. We haven't even been swimming yet!

9 comments:

Andrea said...

Your trip sounds like so much fun (well outside of the topless women and speedo thing):). I told Mike that he should surprise me with a trip like that. Too bad we don't have the money. Oh well, maybe someday. Your comment on the English guy was hilarious. My brother-in-law recently married a lady from England. I'll have to ask her of her opinion on Americans. Wouldn't it be funny if she mentioned our love of guns?! LOL
Oh, BTW, when I first looked at the picture, I did not recognize you. I thought wow look how TONED and pretty that girl is. I guess I notice people who are toned because I AM NOT. And everyday it gets a little bit worse...ughhhh

Susan said...

That sounds like so much fun! I just told Marc yesterday I wanted to go SOMEWHERE on our 20th anniversary (and not Gulf Shores!) Speaking of Gulf Shores - we don't get topless women here (the law) but we do get Speedos and we also get people in bikinis that shouldn't be. I mean REALLY shouldn't be! You never know what you’re going to see!! LOL

I am so glad the two of you got away together! Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in being mom and dad and forget you're a couple. And, what a wonderful adventure! I like that you did so much during your stay. I’m not big on lying around on vacation unless it’s after we’ve done a lot. Looks like you had a GREAT time! What happy memories!

Margo said...

I looked at the photo before reading the post. And of course I noticed speedo guy. However, I don't think that's a speedo. That's just full on underwear. No doubt about it. Dude is wearing his Fruit o the Looms in the jungle.

Anonymous said...

Oooo, how fun!! You looked so cute in the picture!
Yuck and double yuck! Speedos are so icky. I am glad that you got to see he has a "sweet spirit". That is so funny that they think we love guns too much. I would've never thought that would be somebody's summation of Americans. It's great you were able to get away and experience so much culture!

mom2boys said...

I'm with Margo. I looked at the picture first and laughed at the fruit of the looms (speedo).

Susan said...

I went back and looked at the picture up-close and thought at least the speedo guy has a tan. I'm more like that pastey white obnoxious English guy=)

Coty said...

you are rockin' that cleavage girl...
brooke you look just fabulous, did ya' not just have the time of your life!!!
i am only slightly jealous. ;)

This Idaho Girl said...

Did I tell you about how my brother and soon to be brother-in-law dawned Speedos on their cruise. Very disturbing. We even have pictures to prove it. Both say that Speedos are extremely uncomfortable (not to mention how they must inhibit production of sperm). We should spearhead a world-wide ban on Speedos (except for during athletic competitions).

THESTALKER1 said...

Its all in the fitting. I get alot of commemts on my "Dukes of Hazzard" pair.