Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico

Today was our second port stop in Cozumel. It is an island off the eastern coast of Mexico. We had a Port Adventure planned, and luckily, it wasn’t canceled. We were met at the exit of the boat by Adolfo, who would be our guide for the day. He was good natured and fun, and very patient, especially with the one family who brought their son with them. We all got in dune buggies which we drove out of the port and through the town. We stopped a little ways away and were taught how to snorkel, given gear, and crossed the street. The ocean was right off the road and into the water we went. It was nice and warm, and very salty. The snorkeling was fun, there were some cool fish and we even went close to a stingray sanctuary and saw a couple of stingrays.
After the snorkeling we got in the dune buggies for a short “15 minute” drive to the next stop. I think Mexican Time is a lot like Mormon time, because after about 30 minutes someone’s dune buggy broke down and Adolfo drove with us for the rest of the “15 minutes.” All told it was more like an hour drive, but it was fun to be out and see the country. It is awesome to see the jungles and realize that these are the jungles that the Nephites spoke about in the Book of Mormon. The next stop was at a beautiful white sand beach where we had an authentic, but I think a little Americanized, lunch. The guacamole was excellent, almost as good as the Grand Californian’s. We walked around the beach a bit and then we were off again. We had one last stop at a road side store, and a chance for Adolfo’s pitch on his tip, and then he lead us through the city, back to the port. By the time we were done, Josh was driving like he had Mexican blood in him. Of course it was probably more out of the need to not die as opposed to natural talent. On the drive we saw a couple of older ladies riding the apparent vehicle of choice on the island (a scooter, followed closely by a bike), riding side saddle. They looked very distinguished.
It was amazing to see the conditions some people in our world live in. Spending time in Kansas City on our missions, we saw some destitute people, but not on the scale of these people. There were miles and miles of run down homes and people who have lived rough lives. We feel so much gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings we have been given in our life. We will work a life time to pay him back, and it won’t even come close to being enough.
We had dinner tonight at Parrot Cay again, but this time under the regular menu as opposed to the formal night dinner. After a long day in Mexico we are ready to sleep and hit the Caymans tomorrow.