Artiscence

Twas the evening before my birthday. Good food, appealing atmosphere and a vibrant mariachi. Twas a memorable night in downtown Cancun, Mexico.  I asked a few locals where to eat and a good number of them pointed me to La Parilla. So, I made my way there. It's a little hidden, so someone expecting a huge sign by the entrance might miss it. The mariachi played through-out but they weren't loud, almost like listening to music in any typical restaurant really, except here, you can see the people singing. My meal was about 160pesos, roughly $12.  Not bad! La Parilla

I turned 27 about a week and a half ago and I wanted to mark it in a different way. In the past, I usually go out with friends and have dinner with my family. Since grad school, I have spent my birthdays in lab working. I know. So, I decided to go on my first solo international trip ever (which turned out to be not completely solo....but life happens....in a refreshingly good way). I took the plunge, despite some of my friends and family indignation about solo traveling. I chose a place that I knew I would find interesting and will capture my attention for a week. So, yeah, no beachy resorts here ;). So, where did I go? Mexico. To be specific, the states of Quintana Roo, Yucat á n and Campeche. Why Mexico? You ask.  Well, it's close, it's cheap, it's convenient. My birthday (or birth week as I spent the week of my birthday there) was most enjoyable and fun.