Real Resorts FAM: December 2010

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

December 5th

A Very Long Day
We had to leave for the airport 4 hours early due to the Green Conference taking place. I had to leave at 6:30 a.m. I was on the same transfer with another agent from Nova Scotia. When I got to the airport, the airlines wasn't checking anyone in. Then, they advised us that our flight was being delayed due to the weather in Chicago the day before and therefore, the crew needed rest.

The couple with the Bears hats were on my plane again!

I got checked before Security and the guy laughed when he saw my carry on was filled with shoes. I made it through and didn't forget my laptop!

I walked around the shops at the airport. Then, finally, I decided to give in and eat their expensive food because I knew I'd be there a while. So, at 9:00 a.m., I went to Margaritaville's. Then, another lady from the FAM showed up and ate with me.

Right afterwards, our flight was delayed again, and they gave us food vouchers. Figures! I went to Starbucks and got some Mocha's to bring home and a Lemon Loaf. Since I still had money left over, I bought the guy behind me his coffee (and, he was in a wheel chair). All of the other Travel Agents started trickling in and the airport was getting really full. I chatted with most of them on and off and also, a couple from Franklin, WI who were on my plane. They were really nice.

Gate Changes
We changed gates 4 times and kept getting delayed. I was so looking forward to getting home early too.

Browsing
I was getting antsy and decided to walk around some more. While I was looking at Christmas ornaments, a mom and her small son (about 2) and her daughter (about 5) came and stood right in front of me. I was thinking that they were rude and they were invading my space. Then, the little girl twirled around and snatched my pen right out of my Passport holder. I grabbed it back and said, "what the heck!" Those words just came right out because it was so unexpected. I didn't know if they were gypsies or what, but they ended up on my plane!

Finally!
Our plane finally showed and as we boarded, we had to go through Security again! This time, I got the green light. The couple from Franklin got stopped, but when they boarded, they were seated behind me in the exit row. My seat didn't recline because I was in front of the exit row, but we got to chat almost the whole time. I did sleep in the beginning of the flight, and I was cold, so I put on my flip flop socks and gloves.

Arrival
When we returned, I ran off the plane, flew threw customs, and my luggage was one of the first off of the conveyor belt! Darn, it was freezing in Chicago. It was about 20°. Luckily, I asked mom to bring me a winter coat and closed toed shoes.

Dinner
By this time, I was starving, so we stopped at Russel's on the way home.

Harley
Harley survived another one of my trips. She is one tough girl, but she definitely holds a grudge.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Dancing

Band in the lobby

Teaching Steve how to dance

This is the move that caused him to drop her

Her breasts are holding the glass that she's drinking out of

With Nigel from Ottawa who was at a wild & crazy wedding

Cocktail Party & Dinner

Appetizers

Annie is the red-head

Speach

Gina Johnson, our host, in the center

Salud!

Beach in Playa Del Carmen

New ledge they created to the ocean...not good

Catch of the day!

It was a red flag day

Day 3 - December 4th

Breakfast
I went to the buffet for breakfast around 9:00 a.m. I slept in because I was up till around 2:00 p.m. and I had VH1 on all night with good music. Andrea, an agent from Nova Scotia, Canada, walked in before me, so we ate together.

Paolo
I went to town to make another attempt to see Paolo, but they didn't know where he was, so I just left a message. Then, I walked around towards the area where I stayed before and saw the compound, which just gets more and more interesting. They keep trying to tell me that the jewelry store moved around the corner, but I still couldn't find it. On my way back, I checked one more time, but Paolo still wasn't in. I walked back to the resort on the beach.

Stomach Issues
My stomach didn't feel right, so I went to the room for about a 1/2 hour and had some diet coke and a Levaquin while I blogged.

Lunch
I really didn't feel like eating lunch, but I went to the buffet and tried a little salad an chips and guacamole, but I only ate a couple bites.

Pool/Beach
Since dad told me there was snow in Chicago, I wanted to get out and take advantage of the sun! The building was blocking some of the sun at the pool where there was an open seat, so I went down to the beach with two other agents. I wore my dress though because I feel like a beached whale and didn't want to put on my bathing suit. The sun felt good, but I didn't stay out for long. My stomach was feeling better and I decided to walk to town again.

Town
I walked down Constituyentes and came across another new clothing store at the corner of Constituyentes and Avenida 15. It was a small store, but they had really cute purses, shoes, and jewelry. I bought a ring for $12.00. One of the girls working there was asking me for help with her numbers. She was confused between hundreds and thousands.

I continued down 15th and then down 12th towards the beach. I found another really cute hotel.

THE Royal in Playa Del Carmen
I went back and got a little snack of cheese, bread, and salami. I brought it back to the room so I could blog and get my things ready with the door open overlooking the garden wedding.

Cocktails & Dinner
We had to meet at 7:00 p.m. for cocktails at dinner at the seafood restaurant. The new FAM group mixed with ours making it around 60 people.

The chosen meals are always a bit unusual for a group. Tonight it was Salmon, but they made me some type of steak roll.

Lobby
After dinner, we all went to the lobby to say our "goodbyes." Things got a little wild! I also realized that one of the couples on the new FAM was one that I met in Jamaica (but they were also the alternates at that time).
It must be the theme because on our river cruise, a man dropped Cathleen while dancing and tonight a Travel Agent dropped another Travel Agent. Luckily, she didn't need to go to the hospital. She was actually fine (must have been the alcohol that saved her).