To sum up Mexico in a few words: lobsters, chip n’ dales, and libations.  Are you intrigued?  I’ll explain and hopefully not terrify you.

We spent 5 nights in Mexico, with each day (and night) bringing something new.  After getting up at the painful hour of 4 AM, we jetted off from Chicago and promptly found the restaurant and margaritas.  We then played the game of ‘Where’s Hugo,’ who was supposedly our travel agent at the resort.  He never showed, hence the play on Where’s Waldo?  You had to be there.  We couldn’t contain the laughter.  But really…I don’t think Hugo actually existed.

What followed was a beach bum day.  I would rather not know how many calories I consumed via pina colada and fish tacos.  The worst (best) part is the delivery to your cabana on the beach.  For the record, I think we held up in the 90 degree humidity:

…until the SPF 30 turned us into lobsters.  I’d share a photo of that, but the sunburn naturally hit me in sensitive spots.  What a joy it was to put on any form of clothing.

A few other experiences worth mentioning:

1. The spa gave us disposable undergarments.  We developed a case of the giggles and turned the serene spa into noise.
2. I got a chip n’ dales show at Isla Mujeres, an island just off the coast of Cancun.  It was not Vegas-esque because there were kids on our boat, but it was nonetheless a surprise.  Apparently Mom passed along information about my birthday.  I was also treated to snorkeling, endless margaritas, and sunburned feet.  Albeit the busy day, it was a gorgeous island (see feature photo).  The water is SO BLUE due to the white sand.  I could have looked at the vista all day.  It was a lot like a Hawaiian view, but incredibly touristy.
3. We befriended a bachelor party from Toronto.  They put our Wisconsin accents to shame, but they were the coolest.  For example, they brought me three margarita pizzas at 3 AM on my birthday just because I said I was hungry.
4. Tequila shots are no joke in Mexico, especially on your birthday.  Let your imagination do the work.

Mexico was truly an experience.  The people were so welcoming and catered to our every need despite our treacherous Spanish.  I would like to bounce around to other cities in Mexico and compare and contrast to Cancun, which is a bona fide vacation destination.

And a little dessert before you go…a photo my mother snapped of me on Isla Mujeres after the humidity and sun took over my head.

For the record, I am now 24.  Somehow this photo ages me in the wrong direction.