A Vacation in Ruins (Mexico)

A Vacation in Ruins (Mexico) — page 5 — Tomas is not a total nerd though He’s funny and smart Most of the time he’s my best friend Our parents are college professors Because they travel the world on research assignments Tomas and I tag along for the adventure Since we spend so much time together and because we’re fraternal twins we’re close Tight Simpatico But I still like to pick on him Tomas pulled himself out of the swimming pool He dangled his feet into the water and kicked water into my face You got me this time but you won’t catch me again he vowed I bet you I will I said as I scooped water from the pool with my arms and tossed it at Tomas A group of hotel guests walked by on their way to the hotel lobby Tomas instantly straightened up and stopped splashing me He didn’t want to get us in trouble for horseplay at the pool We were staying at a hotel in Puerto Vallarta Mexico It was a family vacation Mom and Dad said it would be nice for us to travel for fun instead of work for a change We hopped a plane from Chicago to Mexico for a nice long weekend getaway Mom and Dad went to the hotel’s front desk to see about planning a whale watching trip That’s when Tomas and I decided we’d head to the pool Are you excited about a whale watching trip I asked

A Vacation in Ruins (Mexico) — page 6 — Tomas Sure He shrugged his shoulders It sounds like fun Something different you know What if we go all the way out on the bay spend hours on the water and we don’t see anything Tomas thought for a second I guess it’s just a plain old boat ride then I chuckled a little bit I thought it would be more fun to go mountain biking Tomas agreed with me We knew the whale watching trip was Mom’s idea Our mother is a bird biologist but she loves to experience anything remotely scientific Going whale watching will make Mom happy Tomas decided I knew he was right It won’t kill us to make her happy I said sarcastically Tomas knew I was playing and gave me a crooked grin Hola niños Mom waved to us as she walked across the pool deck We’re all set for whale watching Dad followed behind Mom with travel brochures and maps spilling out of his arms Boy did he look like the typical clueless tourist We leave in an hour Better head back to the hotel room and clean up Mom said

A Vacation in Ruins (Mexico) — page 7 — Tomas grabbed his towel I hopped out of the pool and dried off too As we walked back to the hotel room Mom rattled off instructions You’ll need a hat sunscreen a bottle of water and a snack Mom said Don’t forget the camera Marisol Got it Mom I answered She knew that Tomas and I never forgot the camera but she always felt the need to remind one of us When we met our boat captain later that afternoon Mom and Dad told us that we’d remember this trip for the rest of our lives Marisol Tomas our captain has been tracking whales for 20 years He knows exactly where to find them Dad smiled proudly at us We’re sure to spot them Or it will be just a really long really boring boat ride Tomas muttered in my ear I tried not to burst out laughing Tomas did have a point Mountain biking would have been much more fun The boat chugged out to Banderas Bay Gulls screeched overhead as they dipped closer to us looking for scraps of food The water was rough and choppy as we moved further from the shore Dad looked a little funny Excuse me excuse me Dad grumbled as he elbowed through the crowd of tourists He shoved harder and practically

A Vacation in Ruins (Mexico) — page 8 — ran to the side of the ship Dad folded himself over the railing UUUHHHBLEKKK After a minute or two he pulled himself upright carefully He looked pale and clammy Mom rushed to his side Some of the other passengers stared at Dad Honey honey Mom said delicately Did you get seasick Dad nodded and let Mom lead him over to a bench That’s embarrassing Can you believe he did that In front of everyone I said to Tomas Nope There’s no end to our embarrassment Tomas replied Mom wiped Dad’s face with a cool wet handkerchief You’ll get your sea legs yet sweetie Don’t worry she told him Dad didn’t usually travel by boat and the ship’s rocking motion made him sick The captain walked by Dad He stopped and stared at our sad seasick father Señor you look like you need help he said Dad nodded weakly Try these Suck on these candies all day Your sea sickness will go away I promise he said Dad took the handful of candies from the captain He leaned against the ship’s wall and closed his eyes Mom came over to talk to me and Tomas Kids this might be a rough day for your father Try to be

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