Shopping at La Crucecita, Mexico

I enjoy shopping when I'm abroad. I usually do a quick google before I leave to find out what I should buy in each particular destination. My sister's already told me to buy them vanilla as a souvenir gift in Mexico.

On our first trip to La Crucecita, we walked around the town and got a feel on where to shop and mentally noted down prices from different stores. I love supporting local vendors and I'm trying to buy more practical items as a souvenir and not another key chain.

I loved the market and that's where we mainly shopped. I also went to the grocery store to browse each aisle for things I could buy that we don't have in Toronto. I found a special hot sauce for a friend of mine and lots of coffee that I could buy as souvenir.

I ended up buying vanilla (liquid and pod), mezcal, chocolates, coffee, and blankets.

I always recommend taking a lap around the market and asking for prices before you start purchasing. Being a tourist has it's pitfalls and it's sometimes having to pay a WHOLE lot more when you shop but it never hurts to bargain. Always have small change and of course cash is key.

Huatulco, Mexico

It was time to escape the snow and bitter cold weather. I didn't want to spend my birthday bundled up in layers of clothing and still freezing so off we go to Huatulco, Mexico. Initially, we thought about going to Panama or Dominican Republic but after looking at weather reports and seeing rain, I started looking at Mexico. I've been to Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo before but I wanted to see a different part of Mexico. Huatulco is in the state of Oaxaca on the Pacific coast. As much as I love the Caribbean, I have also fallen in love with the Pacific Ocean. The weather called for a lot of sunshine and I was sold! 

I had a great time!! I enjoyed the food, the beach, and our resort was beautiful full of wildlife and various flora & fauna. 

A vacation was just what I needed to get a break from my regular routine.  I just felt relaxed and got a lot of exercise from walking around our resort. It was fantastic! 

I'll take a little break from my posting about my Japan trip while I write about my experiences in Huatulco.