Hello paradise. Why oh why oh why do I live in Washington DC. Everyone says, “you can be a writer from anywhere!” I think it is high time that I became one in Mexico, on the beach, at the St. Regis. This morning, all the journalists flew from Mexico City to Punta Mita, home of all the swanky hotels in town. We passed the Four Seasons, the Ritz is being built, and all these celebs, like Travolta, have a house here. The St. Regis is sprawling. It’s like it’s own little village complete with views that will make you hyperventilate and send in your resignation.
Tonight, after a lunch of everything good ever made in Mexico, I baked myself by the pool and read not one but two issues of Martha Stewart Living. It was so liberating. And tonight, after dinner, the staff brought out the telescope and I was able to see the moon, complete with craters, and the glowing balll that is the planet Venus. I actually screamed out loud when I saw the craters on the moon. Yes, I had three margaritas in me, but I kind of felt like an astronaut.
The other journalists, mostly from luxury magazines on the west coast, are fantastic. We have had a blast downing really expensive tequila and absorbing all we can about this little slice of paradise. I never want to leave!!
The view from the main building of the St. Regis Punta Mita. It is paradise here!
Swanky suits with ocean front views. Okay, my room is not quite this big, but it's still gorgeous!
Today I ate a grasshopper. It was dead and cooked and even seasoned, but it was still a grasshopper. I was trying really hard to be the weenie who didn’t eat it, but when every other journalist on the trip consented, I went for it too. Our tour guide gave me a second one for good measure but I slipped it in my purse when everyone had their eyes closed so as not to see the winged creatures go down their traps. Now I have a seasoned dead grasshopper in my purse that I don’t want to touch, but better than in my stomach!
Though very memorable, eating bugs was not all I did today. I also went to Frida Kahlo’s house, which was absolutely amazing. It’s this electric blue sanctuary of art and love and eccentricity. I saw a family celebrating their daughter’s Quinceañera. I went to the spa and had a hot stone massage. And I ate more food than anyone should eat in a week. Then to top it all off, I ate another animal that dwells in the ground. This time it was a worm in the form of worm salt which I licked off my hand before I shot tequila and mescal during dinner. A day of fun and vermin.
Tomorrow we head to Punta Mita and I am so excited to put my body slathered in SPF1oo on a beach. This trip has been so relaxing and I am thankful thankful thankful to be on it. And speaking of appreciation, it’s our belated anniversary for six months of Naked Thanks!! I have loved writing our blog and I can’t think of anyone else I would rather do it with than Stacey. I immediately loved working with Stacey way back when we met in 2007 and I’ve learned so much from her in the past six months. If you fear getting married or having children, just watch Stacey for a few minutes and you too will believe. She’s the coolest, chillest, most fun wife and mom and it has really helped quell my extreme fear of growing up. Thanks for being my partner in crime Stace, and thanks to all of you for reading. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it!
Jenn and Erin holding the grasshoppers looking really thrilled to eat them.
Erin downing the bugs. She was amazing. She actually ate several while I hid them in my purse. But then tonight she had to leave dinner early because she was a bit sick, so maybe a bug binge isn't the best idea.
Frida Kahlo's gorgeous house. The whole thing is painted bright blue with yellow floors.
We visited the first church the Spanish built in Mexico City and this girl was having her Quinceañera. Considering the closest I have gotten to a Quinceañera was when someone's sister had one on the L Word, I thought this was rather cool. I would have loved this at 15 except that I would have forced my mom to tie-dye my dress.
I am writing this from my suite on the 9th floor of the St. Regis Mexico City and I basically couldn’t be happier. I have already taken two baths and eaten the entire fruit plate and box of truffles they left in my room. The fact that I am here on someone else’s dime (god bless press trips) makes it even better! Work has been on the suckalicious side lately, so Kelly and I both decided to get away from it all. She is in the Bahamas writing about wedding destinations (there’s even a fake bachelorette party!) and I’m in Mexico City and then Punta Mita to write about the St. Regis hotel. So far I can say, it’s fantastic. And my view of the city complete with mountains and volcanoes is pretty amazing. Not to mention the white gloved butler that they have for me on call. Sure, I don’t really need anything, but it’s nice to know she is there just in case I have a yen for something ridiculous.
As I haven’t done much yet but go to the pool, bathe, and gorge myself, so far the highlight of my trip, besides just relaxing, was the flight. I love flying. Looove. I went through a small phase in college where it scared the bejesus out of me, but I forced myself to love it again, and I am now more in awe of it than ever. The fact that you are in the sky with no internet or phone access is amazing. I have never been more productive in my life than on this flight from Dallas to Mexico City. After fighting the urge to buy Craig an entire Dallas Cowboys football uniform complete with helmet, I boarded the plane and worked on the never ending book I’m writing and even started a children’s book. What! I haven’t been this efficient in roughly six months.I kind of feel like the folks that really produce from jail because there is nothing else to do.
American Airlines always feels a bit like home to me. I used to spend soooo much time hauling between Tokyo and Washington on AA and Belgium and Washington as a child, that they really feel like my neighborhood airline. Next time I have writer’s block, I’ll just head for the friendly skies. An expensive yet effective method. Now off to dinner and tequila!
My room at the St. Regis. I may never leave.
While doing a little American Airlines research I discovered that this was one of the first planes they flew. My dream is to have those goggles and that leather swim cap thing on. Bring this back American!
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