Playa Del Carmen

 The ferry ride to Cozumel is easy and smooth.  The many colors of the water here in the Caribbean are amazing.  All shades of blue.  I get off the boat and easily get a taxi.  Super nice driver, friendly local.  I happily check in, I am the ONLY person with a reservation that day, which makes me a little sad.  So many of the resorts and hotels are empty.  Anyway, I go to get some lunch in the hotel restuarant while I am waiting for my room and I reach for my phone to let people know I have arrived safely and, no phone.  I look everywhere.....  panic beings and I go back to the desk.  I am trying to get some help with this and they are trying their best to reach the Ferry company (no answer), the taxi company....  I am getting very nervous.  How the heck could I get a replacement phone?  Let's gloss over my hysteria and give you the happy ending.  The phone is in the taxi and the driver is on his way back to give...

 Sunday, August 16th I have the internet, finally, in my apartment!  Yeah!  It's fast and not very expensive.  I was feeling cut off from the world without reliable internet.  But, I made it! And, I got mylease signed, found out how to easily get a taxi, am working on getting my car insurance, so I do not have to rely on taxi's and the other teachers for a ride. Today, Sunday, Jaime takes me to Tulum.  It is a small town south of here that reminds me a lot of Santa Cruz.  Hippie vibes, lots of yoga, lots of restaurants and tourist spots.  We drive there and I see a lot of attractions that are closed, due to Covid.  There is a Monkey Sanctuary, there are archeological sites and pyramids.  We are headed for a lagoon for some swimming.  When we arrive Jaime says he has never seen so many cars in the parking lot, and he decides to go elsewhere. We go to Grande Cenote.... which is more cave that swimming hole.  Anyone who knows me w...