Plans, Plans and Big News

The other day one of our blog friends asked us what we were going to do once we got through the canal - right, left or straight ahead? And the answer is (drumroll please) . . . to the right! We are Mexico bound with a possible stop off at the Perlas Islands and El Salvador just to break up the long, potentially windless trip.

We have been dreaming of Mexico ever since we left the Yucatán way back in June. The good food, the nice people, the relaxed atmosphere, the vibrancy of the culture - we loved it when we were there and pined for it when we left. Plus, we are ready to see something besides the impenetrable jungle. How 'bout some desert flora? Or arid, rust-colored mountains? Or coyotes?

Of course, we do have another important motive for heading up to Mexico besides just a change in scenery. We are getting married!! Vlad got my mom to smuggle in my grandmother's ring, and he proposed to me at the Cocos Banderos Islands in the San Blas via squid.

I was supposed to prepare the squid he had speared, only to find the ring wrapped up in its tentacles. Anyway, it was hilarious and romantic and heart stopping and perfect, and we got to share the moment with my mom and Bob, which was really special. The Kuna family on the island seemed pretty pleased with it as well, and I'm surprised they didn't throw us into a hammock right then and there. (Aside: Kuna weddings involve tossing the groom into a hammock, then putting the bride in as well. She promptly gets out. They do this four times, and on the fourth time she stays in the hammock. Then, everyone cries and drinks the Kuna version of horchata.)

So those are our plans and the big, huge, wonderful news. Now all we have to do is get through the canal and travel 2,000 miles up to Puerto Vallarta through an area marked "Variable Winds" in the World Cruising Routes before the end of May. Easy as pie. Or a slice of weddings cake!