Sunday, October 30, 2005

SIX DAYS IN CANCUN

Day eight - October 27 Thursday

4:30 AM Touch Down St. Louis. Wild cheering!!!

Preview

The picture says it all. Family reunited at Chicago!

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a story!

Anonymous said...

I'll bet money that plane ride was the best, past and future. And can I assume that all the luggage made the trip with you! Up for a vacation from the vacation? Thanks for sharing the ins and outs of those days in turmoil!
Tess

Anonymous said...

whooo hoo

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
I am so exhausted from your experience!!!  ; )
Great photos!!
Do you get refunded for your vacation?? & did you get your luggage back??

Anonymous said...

wow.  that's all I can say.  That and welcome home.

Annie =)
journals.aol.com/krspkrmmom/nooneshome

Anonymous said...

Wow.  All I can say is...where are you going next year?  ~Sie

Anonymous said...

Oh yay!  Beautiful picture.  I love it.

Wow.  wow.  wow.

An amazing story.  Well-told.  Well-documented.  Only you could take us on this journey with you.  Thank you for sharing.  I for one am thrilled to have had the chance to read it for FREE.  

I see a best-seller and a movie deal in your future.  Great soundtrack potential.  Spielberg.  Ron Howard.  Penny Marshall.  You've got your treatment right here.  Send it in baby!  :D

Anonymous said...

::::clap-clap-clap::::

Yeah!!!!

:::cartwheel:::
:::cartwheel:::

:-D ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness! Thank your for sharing your story.
and.....trick or treat thru J-Land. : )
Candace

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! I've waited to comment till I got to the end.... Of course, Wilma got here to the states and visited before you did ;p   Amazing story! Thank you for sharing... I would offer Trick or Treat, but you've already had your Trick!!

I'm headed to my journal to make an entry and send anyone who hasn't read this over here!

Anonymous said...

Wasn't that a 4 day trip? I hope Funjet isn't trying to charge you for the extra days...I also want to know where you are going next year, because I am not going there!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

All I can say is WOW... what an amazing story. Thank you for taking the time to tell it, and tell it so well!

Your strength and the strength you found in friends, both new and old was a true blessing.

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart.  This was all unreal...I've read similar stories about hurricane vacations in Cancun.   However, you traveled the country it seems being shuttled back and forth.  Hope you are getting plenty of rest now after all of that.  
Any chance for a refund?  LOL.  

Anonymous said...

I waited until the end to comment.
WOW!!! That is some story! Thanks so much for sharing.

I am glad I found your journal. You can come visit my journal if you would like. I too, am a Kentucky girl.

I'm happy to hear that you made it through all of that safely. Now, shall we anticipate a book deal on the horizon?

Take care! I will be back again.

***Monica
http://journals.aol.com/chseroo/LivingLifeandLovinit

Anonymous said...

Did you fall down and kiss U.S. soil (concrete) when you landed?   This incredible saga dominated my weekend.  Except for the corrupt military at the airport, many parts were a tribute to the Mexican people, from hotel employees to that taxi driver (your portrait of him was magnificent) who seemed for the most part to be trying to help the stranded tourists survive as best they could.  And, of course, certainly a a tribute to you and Joe, who were brave, gracious, generous, and so patient.  Yours and many other stories of this unbelievable hurricane season are reminders of  the best in human nature.  I'm so glad you're home safe and we're all praying for those who have no safe home to get back to.  
Our Sunday comics have been running old Calvin & Hobbes strips and today's was so apropos--Calvin is meditating on a dead bird and says, "Once it's too late you realize what a miracle life is. You realize that nature is ruthless and our existence is very fragile, temporary, and precious. But to go on with your daily affairs you can't really think about that...which is probably why everyone takes the world for granted why we act so thoughtlessly."  Of course anyone who reads your journal knows you realize the miracle & don't act thoughtlessly, but I'm sure you will be appreciating the little things very much as you get on with your new job!  Thanks  for the vicarious reminder for all of us.   *debbi*

Anonymous said...

WOW.. I COULD NOT IMAGIN HAVING TO GO THREW ALL THAT!!! Yes a book.. more details.. best seller's list here comes Alphawomen!!!

This is the only first hand account of Wilma that I have read.. you retell it wonderfuly.  I feel your joy with the last post!  And Pictures!!! Awesome!  My friend is retelling her experance in her blog with Rita but has no pictures.  I am a picture freak.. that is one of the things I would of made sure I had lol a powered up digital camera or a throw away one.

Will you ever return to Cancun or anywhere outside the US for that matter?? LOL

Much Love,
Mary

Anonymous said...

Thank God you are home and safe.  What a story!!  NOW you need a vacation.  Maybe a nice spa...in the U.S.!!!!!

Anonymous said...

BEST READ EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet your bed and a hot bath never felt sooooooo good! Welcome back and happy your here to share this with us!

Anonymous said...

Yay! Did you bend and kiss the American soil? I felt like doing that after a horrible foreign trip I once had. Once again, I have to say that I am thankful that you and Joe made it back to the USA!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Well, I read the whole thing. What an awful and horrific experience! Trying to imagine myself there going through all of that (and all of the stuff you DIDN'T mention) makes me feel crazy, makes me itch. But what an amazing experience, too (now that it's over). Lordy, just stay HOME the next time, okay? ;-)

Thanks for taking the time to share it with us, Mary.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am so glad that you are home safe!!!

Anonymous said...

i didnt know u were in cancun...i was dealing with wilma here in florida. glad u made it back. hurricane's are not fun.....roberta

Anonymous said...

I'm LOLing at the person who asked where you're going next, so we know NOT to go there.  ROFL

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.  And I'm still catching my breath.

~~ jennifer

Anonymous said...

    That was the most incredible story I ever read. My dear God! I think I would have lost it that first night with the roof pounding. Thank God you're home and thank God you're safe. If I could say anything else, it would be welcome home!
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

i cannot comment....unbelievable is all i can say! i'm so truly happy that you are home safe and well. take care!! love Joanne
http://journals.aol.co.uk/stijoan/joannesjournal//

Anonymous said...

Well, Mary, this is definitely one for the history books.  Quite a story!  I'm deathly afraid of high wind, so I would have been a basket case during the storm.  

So glad you got out in one piece (finally!  AND with your luggage!)  You are probably cured of wanderlust for a couple months, anyway.  Lisa  :-]  

Anonymous said...

Terrific!  Quite a photojournalist!!
Thanks & Hugs !!
V

Anonymous said...

Mary, as I said in my e-mail to you, get this PUBLISHED!  All my coworkers who read this agree.  We didn't get to see the pictures ... this is my first time to see them.  Glad you are home safe and sound.

Monica

Anonymous said...

This belongs in a major publication. I see National Geographic, with all the great pix. Just reading this was gut-wrenching...but you let us feel it and taste it. You have accomplished something major here, Mary.

Anonymous said...

WOW,  What a story and you told it so well.  Thanks for sharing
it with us all.  Welcome home.        Dawn

Anonymous said...

An amazing story of your experience.   Glad that you made it through and got back home.    mark

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story, very moving.  Glad you made it back safe and sound!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Wooohooo! Welcome home! Loved your story -- thanks for sharing.
:)

Anonymous said...

See, I felt that I was there with you.  What a good writer you are, so interesting.  Thanks for sharing your scary story with us all.      Dawn

Anonymous said...

*whew* That was one hell of a ride! I'll tell you one thing...I am NEVER going to travel anywhere during hurricane season ever again.  We ALMOST got caught in Bermuda one year. But I have a feeling being stranded there would have been a touch more cumfy than Mexico. :-/  Welcome home!

Anonymous said...

Yea!!! Glad you are home. judi

Anonymous said...

I just read this entire epic from start to finish and all I can say about this is: WOW!

Glad you're safe and home.

Anonymous said...


What must I do, Mary, besides perpetually promote...

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/tracks/entries/643

... AND vote VIVI for you, to get a little Other Journals love around here... smack that booty?

Give it up, baby, or lean across my knee. [:P]

The Love Train
http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/tracks/

~Smooch, Brian @---->---

Anonymous said...


You sweet thing, you. I looooove it, when you love me (smooch).

Thanks for the link, Mary. [:)]

~Hugs, Brian @---->---

PS: Just for that, I'll talk dirty again, sometime, baby. [:P]

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/tracks/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Vivi Award!

Anonymous said...

Hello there,

Warmest congratulations on your Award!!

Tilly
http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse/

Anonymous said...

Congrats and I hope you are resting!
Tess

Anonymous said...

WooHoo!!!!!  ViVi!!!!!!!

So...when ya goin' back to Cancun?  :D

~~ jennifer

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!

Deb

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Vivi Award!            Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/adlessor/ACoupleofNomads/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your award.  May you have many safe and wonderful more adventures ahead of you.

Anonymous said...

You and yours look happy.

:)

Gabreael

http://journals.aol.com/gabreaelinfo/GabreaelsBodyMindSpiritJournal/

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary!  Congratulations on winning your Vivi Award!  I'm so happy for you!  Hugs!  Lisa
http://Journals.aol.com/onmiownnow2/TheOccupant/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Vivi Award! Well done, and well-deserved!

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

WooHoo! Congrats on your VIVI award!!!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning the Vivi award. You sound like you had a nightmare trip in Mexico, gkad you got back safely. Jeannette.  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning. God bless!
Angela

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the VIVI.... and you got it before you did this series of entries <g>...
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

Congrats!  Well deserved for sure.  
d
http://journals.aol.com/nightmaremom/Thisandthatandhockey/

Anonymous said...

Congrats-whenyou get back you can dance around about your Vivi award! :-) Sassy

http://journals.aol.com/SassyDee50/SassysEYE

Anonymous said...

congratulations Mary! judi

Anonymous said...

stopping by to say congratulations!

betty

Anonymous said...

I am listening to news (11/6) about the tornado in Indiana & Kentucky and thinking of you.  Hope it's not in your area, after what you've just been through.  *debbi*

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your win!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your well deserved Vivi Award win!
Darla ;o)

Anonymous said...

congrats on your vivi!!

Annie =)
journals.aol.com/krspkrmmom/nooneshome

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.  Congratulations on a well-deserved ViVi Award!  Many blessings to you and yours, Penny  http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere

Anonymous said...

First time visit for me to your journal. . .came to say congratulations and stayed for hours reading your back entries!! What a nightmare in Cancun. . so glad you are safely home.Looking forward to hearing more.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your ViVi award...that was some trip. I'll have to come back and read more...Sandi http://journals.aol.com/sdoscher458/LifeIsFullOfSurprises

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Vivi Award.  You sooooo deserved it!
~Marie