My lovely husband. ©Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

In December 2013, Nicholas and I went to Mexico for our honeymoon. Isla de Mujeres and Tulum to be exact. We boarded the plane a few weeks before Christmas and off we went to sun, beaches and sleep.

Our honeymoon had many rough patches with silver linings. Today, all we can do is laugh about the crazy adventures.

Loving the beach even though I was sick. ©Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

When we landed in Cancun there was a storm. We had planned to take a boat to the island where we were going to stay, but alas, the boats were cancelled due to the weather. We spent the first night of our honeymoon at a Holiday Inn, (barf) eating food from Hooters (extra eye roll). I mean, can we get any more ‘Merica? I sat on a big bed in a very clean white room, watching the news in Spanish and trying to enjoy my salad from Hooters (I don’t like wings). I looked at Nicholas and we smiled at each other. We were too tired and hungry to do anything “sexy.” We just wanted to eat, drink and sleep.

The silver lining was that at the Holiday Inn bar, we had the best mojitos ever. We were the last customers; and I guess the bartender was excited to make drinks, because he built the drinks with such flourish and grand movements, you’d think it was a dance. They were sweet, but didn’t taste like sugar water. We sat at the bar, stared at our fellow tourists and made up fictional stories about their lives.

After sleeping for a good eight hours, we rose with the sun shining on our faces. We found our boat and soon were on our way to Isla de Mujeres. The island became bigger and bigger with every wave. Our hotel was in the middle of the downtown area. We ate, walked around and drank at a local bar. The usual honeymoon stuff.

The place that made me sick. 🙁 ©Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

The next day, we had soup at some little mother and daughter owned spot. I enjoyed the outdoor environment and the sun hitting my face. Then it happened. I felt sick.

It should be noted that I get sick easily. Seriously, I think I have thrown up in every country we have been to. Wait, not Ireland. Good job, Ireland!

Okay, back to Mexico. For three days, I felt nausea. I couldn’t throw up. It was like my stomach was on a roller coaster. It should also be noted that Nick can eat dirt that has been peed on by a stray dog and would be fine. So he enjoyed all the food. Lucky bastard.

Beautiful! ©Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

The only thing I could hold down was guacamole and alcohol, which isn’t too bad. I eventually threw up in an ally in Tulum, after Nick made me try another hole in the wall place. I ran out of the restaurant, threw up and quickly requested some chips. All I wanted were some salt and vinegar chips. I didn’t care that I was on my honeymoon. Nick said for better or for worse.

This silver lining was two-fold. I lost some weight (Yeah!), and I was able to enjoy the rest of the trip. I was able to climb a pyramid, ride a bike in a local park and practice my negotiating skills on a kid that was trying to overcharge me by three pesos.

Would I go back to Mexico? Hell yeah! Would I eat the food? Probably, because Nick would make me. It’s hard to say no to his innocent looking face. Did I love my honeymoon? You bet.

I love you Mexico.

Hugs and Smiles,
Nicole