2
0
That’s what my Bisabuela, the one I have never met but whose photo sits staring out at me from under the glass of the dining room table, would have said. I think I would have liked her but one never really knows. Dad says she would have loved me but then he says everyone loves me! I do apologize but it’s been awhile and I still have a tendency to digress as well as use ‘but’ a lot — it use to be ‘chichi’ but I am growing up.
If we go back a bit . . . mom and dad, neither of them being a mom or a dad at the time, had just returned home from a six month sabbatical, and mom wanted them to do it again. So dad, after a bunch of prodding by mom, asked his boss, who asked his boss who asked his boss if dad could take another sabbatical in five years. They said yes.
In no time, mom and dad were set with plans to take a year off and travel the world; see the Himalayas, take a shower under Victoria Falls and go to Russia to find out if the Russians really had plans to interfere, yet again, in the US elections — keeping in mind the US elections, like all elections, are what they are.
If you have been reading this blog, you will know that before they could do any of the travelling, I happened. Then I wrote a bunch of posts during my first year of life, most of which was spent in Mexico. Mom did not have to prod dad to have me and dad did not have to ask his boss either.
My birth delayed everything. Thinking about it, if it wasn’t for me, their trip would have been over by now instead of just starting. Because of me, they never saw the Himalayas; they got to watch Victor’s Falls (pretty clever joke eh!); and the upcoming US elections, like all elections, will be what they are. Though I must say, a Trump re-election is looking good! Not that I am advocating for this guy. It’s just that the other guy is not Bernie Sanders. I’ve never been one to believe that I have to put up with second best while only dreaming that the best is possible. I will not be voting.
We made it pandemic and all!
For dad’s sabbatical, we decided to go to Mexico for a year. That was the plan for a long time. Then the pandemic came and that was still the plan. Did you really think it would change? Do you know my mama and papa?
After three months of the Pandemic in Hamilton, dad wrapped up stuff at work and we were off to see if the Pandemic was any different in Mexico. Apparently not. Everyone wearing masks, with noses randomly exposed. Lots of hand sanitizer and temperature taking when entering stores. Though unlike Hamilton, I am not allowed in the stores which has really slowed down my toy collection.
Our big challenge was getting there, one cat (Bobby), two Mexicans (mama and me), one Mexican resident (papa) and a whole lot of rules to navigate from Canada to Mexico, many of which were never enforced. But we were prepared.
We took an SUV from the house to the airport. The airport was empty. The check in was easy except when they asked mama to throw out all my puree.There was also the screaming girl who had her doll taken away for a scan. The little girl, and I could relate, was angry. She was as angry as mama, but mama did not scream, neither did the doll.
Boarding was never so easy. The plane left on time, something Air Canada has always had trouble with. We arrived on time, early in fact. Mama was clever and got the guy with the wheel chair to wheel me while she and papa lugged our carry-on. He knew where to go and what to do. Thanks to him, we got through immigration with less questions than usual. If you have ever been to Mexico, you’ll understand that less than normal is as close to none as you can get.
We picked up Bobby with our checked luggage and took him to animal control. They touched him up to make sure he was still with us. Before we knew it, we were on our way to the taxi which took us to the bus station. At the bus station I waited for the bus eating cookies and drinking water. Papa says I am the best traveller ever. He even says it in front of mama.
The bus was delayed for an hour, the biggest glitch or our entire journey, though I am not sure Bobby would agree! Took him two days before he would talk to us again.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.