Holidays in Mexico!
Trip Start
Oct 09, 2007
1
7
9
Trip End
Dec 20, 2007
Pez Maya, Mexico
Sunday, December 2, 2007
It's the holiday season again! And while it's quite different here in Mexico, it's still lots of fun! Cheryl and I were put in charge of the Thanksgiving feast (there only being 5 Americans on base, it was up to us to show them a proper Thanksgiving). Improvisation was key -- and with a little imagination it turned out great! We served chicken, vegetables, stuffing (something very new to the British on base), mashed potatoes, and Cheryl's amazing gravy. Oh, yes and a yummy apple crumble for dessert. Considering all of this was done with about 6 ingredients to choose from and very limited supplies -- it was a fantastic feast and enjoyed by all!! The most fun was during the cooking, we were scheduled for a fun dive just as some of the key dishes were ready, so after the dive (it was one of our best so far!), we finished cooking in our wet suits -- something I've never done before on Thanksgiving. :-) There is truly a lot to be thankful for this year!
In honor of two birthdays (Dan and Ed's), we had a "D & E" party. The theme was to dress up as as something that begins with a D or E...simple, huh? Take a look at the pics to see how good the imaginations were!
The weather has been beautiful -- warm and sunny, but the Christmas lights we're planning to put up next weekend should brighten it up even more! Only a few more weeks and we'll be home on December 20th!! Still lots of diving and reef monitoring to do. Next week is the Cavern Diving specialty in the Mexican cenotes. Should be fun!
From Cheryl:
The Thanksgiving holiday was quite different this year! It was really great to come up with such a good meal with the limited stuff we had to work with. The gravy was chicken bouillon cubes and flour, yet it was probably the best gravy any one on base has had in at least 8 weeks! It was quite fun to introduce our new friends to the idea (and the food) that Thanksgiving brings to us. Because I was not with my family and friends back home, it was certainly a time for reflecting on those things I am very thankful for.
The diving for me has become significantly intensified. When I had decided to pursue a few more certifications for diving including Rescue Diver and Dive Master, I had no idea what I was getting myself into!! Both are challenging physically and mentally. I just completed my rescue diver this week. The final "tests" are surprise scenarios of under and above water rescues. Imagine, you are getting all your gear into the boat just relaxing awaiting getting the call to climb on board and the instructor yells out that a diver has gone missing under water!! Well, back into the gear and the search and rescue begins! Not an easy task with currents floating you and the "missing" diver in all sorts of directions. Well, I found the missing diver who was unresponsive or unconscious underwater. Next task was bringing him up safely while watching how quickly you ascent to the surface. It is not over there though! Now you have to administer rescue breaths while towing the diver to the boat AND removing all of the gear from both of us. Adrenalin takes over at some point and I manage the task successfully enough to earn my certificate! Now I pray I never have to use these skills!
The Dive Master requirements included a 400 meter swim, 800 meter snorkel - both timed for points. I expected to get 1 point for each, but was pleasantly surprised to get 2 for the swim and 3 for the snorkel!! Faster than I expected by far! Next steps will be to complete 4 more (of the 8 total) tests. Physics and Dive Physiology will surely be the most difficult. I feel like I have pushed my boundaries quite far on this endeavor and have loved every minute of it!
I am looking forward to getting back home again although leaving Pez Maya after the 10 weeks of calling it home will be a bit difficult.
Hope you all are doing GREAT!! Miss you tons and look forward to seeing you all soon!
Comments
Sounds like chicken did the job
Hey Lisa & cheryl; sounds like your Thanksgiving turned out the best ever!! Who needs turkey? Congrats Cheryl on your Certificates!!!!! Fantastic!!! Above the points needed. Gosh, If I were you both, I'd never come back to our regular way of living ever again. Life is certainly an adventure-always!!! Lisa, love the pic of you holding the 2 beer bottles--doesn't look like a long story. LOL. Debbie :)
Thanks for keeping everyone posted
This year I include you both in my list of what to be thankful for..... People who have come into my life and made an impression and continue to make one. I'm envious of your journey - the adventures and memories. Thanks for sharing with us and allowing us to live through you!