Sights: Part 2

This is absolutely the place to visit if you love the outdoors and being active. You only THINK the grass near the pyramids is going to be flat. WRONG. Between the uphill hiking of the Uxmal pyramids and swimming in a cenote (Kankirixché Cenote, specifically), this was a super action-packed way to spend the day. I booked Merida as my first solo international vacation–it was my first time leaving the country for something that was not a family vacation. I was nervous about flying internationally solo, but I speak Spanish, so it wasn’t hard at all to navigate the airport or get from the airport to the hotel.

Some other great pictures from the trip. I was attending a writer’s retreat with a bunch of people I had never met before. The bottom right is the hotel pool. Swimming in it was heavenly, especially at night below the stars. I was even lucky enough to be in Merida for a full moon. The schedule was pretty standard for a writer’s retreat–9 a.m. to noon was a writer’s workshop where we gave each other feedback on our poetry and short stories, had writing exercises, and more. Then from noon on, you had free time. I spent every afternoon working on my third book (poetry, The Last Photo of Us). I have two books that have been traditionally published. I am trying to get this third one published, and I’m currently revising two other standalone novels. Then, after getting good work done, I rewarded myself with unlimited jamaicas (the non-alcoholic beverage options are amazing in Mexico because you can get so many agua frescas or a virgin piña colada).

I know Florida is a really scary place between the horrific politics and the sheer speed and population of alligators, but Miami is an AMAZING city. I jokingly call it Cuba 2 because it genuinely feels more like Latin America than it does the U.S. due to its high Latino population, tropical climate, Caribbean-like beaches, and genuine appreciation for food, music, art, and, of course, a good party. If you’re from California like me, know that the ocean here is nothing like the Russian Roulette of California. It is not cold and choppy, and there aren’t big waves here. You start swimming around in peaceful water underneath an endless sky for long enough, and you start forgetting you even have a body that needs to live on the land. On top of the large Cuban, Colombian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, Puerto Rican, and Dominican populations, there are also large Jewish, Black American, and Filipino populations, making it much more culturally diverse than many major U.S. cities.

Miami with my family over the years. Bottom pics are with my mom and grandma for my cousin’s wedding. Top is the same cousin with her adorable baby, who she thinks looks like me. And I’m like, no shit, that’s because Whatinos only come in like 3 different models. This baby is crazy smart. She’s not even 2 years old yet, and she already calls me Tía Luna.

More pics of Miami being elite.