Spring Break

Whenever I hear the words “Spring Break” it conjures up images of bad Animal House movies and Girls Gone Wild in Cancun or Florida. I’m sure in many places around North America, college kids are killing brain cells, making questionable friendships and doing the walk of shame. Actually it’s (obviously) just what they call the school holidays this time of year so all the kids are off school.

We too have Spring Break here in Mexico so Guerita is off school for 2 weeks (last week and this week) . There hasn’t been a whole lot of drunken partying going on for our Spring Break, but there’s been a fair amount of lounging around in our pyjamas and some over-indulgence - mostly in chocolate over the weekend. Chiq discovered the true joy of Easter and participated enthusiastically.

Even though it is only barely Spring here, already the weather has started to heat up. The last 3 days have been 37, 38 and 39°C. It is only March!

This does not bode well for the real summer when its likely to be over 40C consistently for months with some super-heat-waves of days on end over 45C to look forward to. I am so glad our (tentative) leaving date is early July, so we can miss the worst of it. When the temperature gets that high, there’s nothing you can do. Sure, we have great air-con, so it’s comfortable enough inside but as soon as you step out the door the oppressive heat hits you, saps your strength and burns your skin. We spent the whole summer here last year and let me tell you, entertaining a 4 year old with indoor activities for 2 months of school holidays is no fun!

So, we’re making the most of the “mild” weather right now and trying to get outside - riding bikes and blowing bubbles in the backyard.

Remember when I posted about visiting the park with the Slide of Death for Chiq’s birthday in January? We were at that park because the place we wanted to go to (the Parque Infantil) was closed. We have since managed to visit it twice and the kids have had a great time. It is a cross between a very well equipped and safe playground and a theme park - there are a few rides like a carousel, bumper cars and a little Ferris wheel as well as a fort and pirate ship to climb on. There’s also an undercover babies area with built gym mat flooring and small playground equipment for the crawlers and toddlers - perfect for Chiq.

Normally these sort of places would be reserved for special occasions because at home they would be expensive and a major outing. But at this place the entry fee is just 50c.

That’s right.

50c

And Chiq is free.

We are going to be there every weekend from now on (until it’s so hot that we’d melt). The rides cost another 50c each, but all up Guerita might be interested in maybe 3 of the rides so I’m happy to pay for her to go on them. They are cheaper than those ones outside the supermarket! All up I think we could go there for a few hours and spend maybe $4 if we bought a bottle of water too!

This is something I’m definitely going to miss about living here…