If you’re wondering about the long gap in posts, it is because I was away at Tulum, Mexico, attending an official Division Meetup. It was a trip full of mixed experiences, and here are some of the highlights.
1. Stay at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
I stayed at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, a stunning resort located between Cancún and Tulum. Except for a short visit to the Tulum ruins, I spent most of the week in this lush, green resort. So, technically, I can’t say that I “visited” Mexico, as my interactions with Mexicans were mostly limited to resort staff and I didn’t experience much of the local culture.
The resort was beautiful, with shallow water features everywhere—both indoors and outdoors—which a few of us accidentally stepped into, not realizing they were water! Ouch!
The view from my room was incredible, especially at sunrise. Here are a few pictures from that first morning.
2. The Tulum Ruins
During our free afternoon, we visited the Tulum ruins. While the ruins are interesting, I wasn’t particularly excited as I’ve seen similar ones in India. The weather was a mix of drizzle and intense heat, and iguanas seemed to be present at every corner, almost as if they were posing for the tourists. However, the view of the bay from certain spots was worth it.
The various shades of blue in the water reminded me of Hawaii’s sea. I wonder what creates those shades. I love them!
3. Hurricane Milton
The day after I arrived, Hurricane Milton made its presence felt with a full day of heavy rain. Throughout the trip, the weather alternated between threatening rains and humid, sunny skies, which left me swinging between feeling joyful and frustrated. I love rain (probably more so since I now live in Dubai), so I didn’t mind the rains too much.
Though some of my colleagues had flight delays and reschedules due to the hurricane, I didn’t have any major disruptions to my schedule!
4. The Mexican Fried Plantains aka Nendrapazham
I usually struggle with breakfast in Western countries, where sweet pastries dominate the menu. But this time, I found something that felt like home: Mexican Fried Plantains, which were almost identical to the steamed Nendrapazham (a sample here) I am used to eating. These sliced and lightly fried plantains became my go-to breakfast every morning! Sadly, I was so busy enjoying them that I forgot to take a picture.
5. Transiting through the US
This was my first time transiting through the U.S., and it turned out to be more stressful than expected. Unlike other countries, you have to collect your baggage at your first U.S. entry point, pass through customs, and then recheck the luggage—even if it’s just a layover!
At Newark, I had just three hours to clear immigration, claim my bag, recheck it, and transfer to another terminal via air train and shuttle. It was nerve-wracking! The customs process itself felt unnecessary, as I just handed my bag over after walking it a short distance.
On the return trip, I had to stop at Washington and Newark, with two hours at each stop. Oddly enough, I was grateful for the extra layover! I completed the immigration and baggage recheck at Washington, and when I reached Newark, I only needed to transfer terminals before heading to Dubai.
There were many other memorable moments–both official and personal– throughout the week, including the racoon that tapped my hand during dinner asking for food. But for now, I’ve just shared a few glimpses of the trip.
