My plan was to spend the morning exploring, check out of the hotel, then head to the airport to meet my friend Judy and continue together to the spa in Ixtapan de la Sal.
Great plan. Then Judy’s flight was seriously delayed.
In the morning, I walked to the Zócalo, where three enormous tents had been erected showcasing arts and crafts made by Indigenous artisans from across Mexico. On paper, this was tailor-made for me. Folk art? Handcrafts? Mexico? I was ready to be dazzled.
I wasn’t.
The work was certainly handmade, but after several days of seeing extraordinary Mexican folk art and craftsmanship, I found much of what was being sold surprisingly repetitive. I wandered, hoping something would make me stop in my tracks. Nothing did.
With Judy’s flight seriously delayed and my room already surrendered, I began the less glamorous portion of travel: waiting. I read in the hotel lobby and then at the airport. Fortunately, I had a good book.
Eventually Judy arrived, and we set off for Ixtapan de la Sal. Unfortunately, we hit rush hour, compounded by a couple of accidents. The drive, which I’ve done numerous times, felt endless. But we finally made it to Ixtapan.
Not every travel day produces great stories. Sometimes there are disappointing crafts, delayed flights, sitting around waiting, and gridlock.
But now that I’ve arrived, my biggest challenge will be deciding between the pool, a massage, and a facial.