Runner-Runner-Rebuy

I went to Mexico for Christmas. I didn't want to. I'd never been to Mexico before, and had no desire to ever go there. I'm not sure why. I think I had an impression of Mexico that was rife with corruption, poverty, and sweltering heat. Kind of like Las Vegas, but without the poker rooms. I did not want to go to Mexico.

I have a somewhat complicated and strained relationship with my family at times, but Christmas has always been a time when we all can get together and really enjoy each other's company. I'm not sure why this is, but I have always had a soft spot for Christmas because of it. For thirty-three years I had spent Christmas with my family, but this year, I was going to Mexico.

Jocelyn's family always travels for Christmas. Dominican Republic, Aruba, Costa Rica. Always somewhere warm with a beach. Far from what I consider to be a Christmas atmosphere. This year, they were going to Turkey, and Jocelyn decided to stay behind with me. Joc and I have been together for many years now, and with the exception of once when her father was reaching the end of his ALS death sentence, we have never spent a Christmas together. Normally, she ships off to warmer climates and I stay behind to have Christmas with my family. I was very exited to have her around this year to spend Christmas with me and mine.

In early December, Turkey decided it was a good time for a full air assault on Northern Iraq. This complicates things for American travelers, and Jocelyn's family had to cancel their trip to Turkey. Instead, they were now going to Mexico, and Jocelyn wanted the both of us to go too. Of course, I flatly refused. Mexico was the last place I wanted to be for Christmas, especially with a bunch of bah-humbug grinchs. It was the one time of year when I have a genuinley great time with my family, and I certainly was not going to Mexico instead. I told her she should go if she wanted to, but I was staying home.

For days she pestered me to go, offering to pay my way, telling me how nice it would be, and reminding me how I needed a good vacation after my past few months of very busy work and long commutes. I eventually caved, but not really due to her pressure. I reasoned that eventually in a person's life their own family unit is formed and plans are made around that family first. As I envisioned my future with Jocelyn, I knew I should spend this Christmas with her, as a step towards us forming our own family. This doesn't mean I was happy about it, and my family was certainly not pleased with the news either, but understood my decision.

Day by day the holidays approached. I grew more frustrated with my choice as a sense of foreshadowed homesickness and nostalgia settled into me. I'm sure Jocelyn will attest that I was visibly agitated with going on this trip. Despite Joc's great efforts at organizing a pre-Christmas Christmas dinner with my family at our place, I gave her a really hard time about the sacrifice I was making.

Due to the slight neurosis infecting the brains of Joc's family, we apparently needed to leave for the airport 7 hours before our flight's boarding time. This enhanced my grumpiness about the whole situation, but I dutifully departed at 11:30PM on Dec 23rd to catch our 6:40AM flight to Cancun. What follows is a brief account of Christmas Week 2007.

December 24, 2007

After a very cramped 4 hour charter flight and an hour bus ride, we arrive at Catolonia Playa Moroma, a resort on the Maya Riviera, nestled along a beautiful white sand beach and surrounded by fantastic jungles and wildlife. Our room was large, clean, well stocked, and perfectly situated between the beach and main entertainment area of the hotel.

In Iraq, a platoon of four tank crews deploys from Bagdad to an undisclosed location. They are cold and cramped into tight spaces in their tanks. Their makeshift barracks have no electricity, morale is low, and are unsure when their next meal will come.

December 25, 2007

We spent the day on the beach, soaking in the sun and enjoying a never ending supply of Mai Tai's from the bar. Joc and I started a game of Chinese poker that we decided to play until one of us hit a Royal Flush. Dinner was great - we had fresh pasta, roast pork, and a huge variety of desserts. I missed my family, but was having a great time.

An eighteen year old in Afghanistan spends his Christmas patrolling the Pakistani border. He has received no mail in weeks, and his only wishes are for some news from the states and a fresh pair of socks.

December 26, 2007

We went on two snorkeling excursions today. One was in an underground river called a cenote. The water was cold, but crystal clear, and we saw amazing stalagmites. The other was in the gulf over a kelp bed where was encountered sea turtles, stingrays, and barracuda.

A co-ed group of twenty soldiers share a bunker in Iraq. The conditions are poor and they are not within range of a post exchange for supplies. Their life is gloomy, and they need personal hygiene items or snacks of any kind. They make the best of it anyway.

December 27, 2007

Another day on the beach. Much drinking ensued. We watched an "international" female arm wresting competition, and then had some fun later that night in the "disco."

A new father is doing maneuvers somewhere in the Herat province of Afghanistan and was unable to reach his wife and family for the holidays. He is unaware his daughter was born yesterday, and was thinking of his pregnant wife when he steps on a mine and is killed.

December 28, 2007

We played lot of cards today, and I went from down 30 points to up 30 points. No royal flush yet. The water was nice today and there were schools of some kind of fish swimming around us. The rest of Joc's family went to Chichen Itza, a Mayan city and pyramid, and we had a great meal together when they returned.

In Iraq, an airman and her squad are routinely running many missions outside the wire. Their days are long and they miss many meals. They request toys be sent to them to hand out to local children.

December 29, 2007

Snorkeling on a reef today. I had some problems and had to return to the boat early, but Joc had a good time. I got a little sunburned yesterday, but it has mostly turned tan.

A group of soldiers volunteer for a deployment in Bosnia after serving throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom. All they want is to receive some letters and mail from the U.S.

December 30, 2007

Our last day in Mexico we decided to go check out Playa del Carmen, a town about 15 miles away. It was a little tourist trappy, but had a nice walking street with shops and views of Cozumel. We got some gelato and I bought a few Mexican wrestling (luchador) masks. Joc finally hit the Royal Flush and won our Chinese poker match 407-390. Turns out, I am very happy I went to Mexico and spent my Christmas with the woman I love. It was a wonderful trip that I will not soon forget. Home tomorrow for New Years Eve and then the NHL Winter Classic.

Many soldiers around the world - our friends, our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives - don't know when they will return home. Many will not. Yet they endure. They don't whine about it. They serve to protect us, our values, and our country. However you might feel about the War or decisions our government has made, make no mistake - the soldiers are risking their lives for you; and despite poor conditions, low morale, and isolation, they do this without hesitation or complaint. I have a lot to learn from these Heroes. They wish for simple things. Help grant these wishes.