CANCUN STYLE

After a move last year to a rural community, I contemplated buying a house. Carefree images of me taking care of a farm living in the middle of nowhere floated through my brain. And then they were quickly replaced with images of no internet, no social interaction, and no cell phone service. Though these do have somewhat of an appeal, I am required to be on call for my job, so that wasn’t really going to work. Being easily distracted, I changed my focus and decided I would travel the world.

I can’t think of a better way to bring unity to our species than through travel. I love it…most of the time. But I have hesitated to travel because, I think, I was hoping I would have someone to travel with. Alas, that hasn’t happened. But have no fear, I can do it on my own. It’s not like anything weird ever happens to me…

I decided to start with something close to the US, where I felt it was safe, with lots of tourists and enough English to get along. Cancun fit the bill! Besides, I have been working on my Spanish and maybe I would have a chance to practice. So I booked a stay at an all-inclusive adult resort. No kids, drinks included, this should be awesome.

And it was! Lovely weather, lots of time swinging in a hammock on the beach, and my first time scuba diving. I loved it. But I can’t manage a week without some little adventure.

As I was standing at the buffet, ecstatic about all the fresh fruit, an older gentleman complimented me on my eyes. So sweet! Now I wouldn’t consider myself overly naive or too trusting…well maybe I am. But I figured it was a simple compliment.

After sitting down by myself, the aforementioned gentleman approaches me and says his girlfriend saw I was alone and wondered if I would like to join them for lunch. Now, I am slightly wary but I love to meet people. And eating by myself is the only thing I don’t really like when I travel. Besides, worse case scenario, I meet a nice couple.

So I sit down with this older couple and we talk about the resort, where we are from, etc. And then the following conversation ensues.

Him: “Do you live the Lifestyle?”
Me: (blank stare)
Him: (Stares back)
Me: “Um?”
Him: “The Lifestyle”
Me: “I don’t know what you mean.”
Him: (Appears shocked) “What?”
Her: “You are traveling alone.”
Him: (laughing) “Of course you know. No need to be coy.”
Me: “I’m sorry. I don’t. What do you mean?”
Him: “Aren’t you a swinger?”
Me: “WHAT?!”
Her: ” You look like our type. We thought you could join us tonight.”
Me: “But…what? No, I don’t do that.”
Her: “But you travel alone?”
Me: “Because I like to travel.”
Him: “I would really like to wake up next to both of you.”

Anyway, apparently some Americans think if you are a woman who travels alone, you are a swinger. On the other hand, European women always travel alone…not as swingers. My great aunt from Germany used to travel all the time and I loved hearing her stories of the world. And during my grandmother’s stretches as a single woman (she was married three time, widowed twice), she also traveled the planet. I didn’t think it was odd.

Well, I chose not to join them later, though I think I should be flattered they asked. They really were a nice couple and took my refusal very kindly. So now before my next trip, I need to work on my “I’m not an American swinger face.” I hope Spain is ready for me.