Been a very long time since I've updated this here travelog ... yep. Long time.
I could make different entries for my various excursions this summer, but that seems like more work than I really want to do, so I'll give a brief rundown here, maybe include a picture or two at some point, and hopefully will be better about updating in the future.
I could make different entries for my various excursions this summer, but that seems like more work than I really want to do, so I'll give a brief rundown here, maybe include a picture or two at some point, and hopefully will be better about updating in the future.
Cancun, Mexico
| Cancun was the first stop this summer. It was my first experience at an all-inclusive resort. We stayed at the Ocean Spa Resort. The room was nice, pretty good view of the pool off our balcony, stone shower. The staff was helpful - no complaints. If I'm going to nitpick, the food was just average. A weak 3 out of 5 or a strong 6 of 10. Not bad, just not exemplary. Sadly, the drinks were also weak. They were also free, which counts for a lot, but I'd rather pay for good drinks than drink weak ones for free. But the sun was shining, most days, the breeze was blowing, the water flowing. Played some beach volleyball, won a game of Bingo, and read, Read, READ on the beach! |
Random quirks: 1) while our resort was nice, it had a much different vibe than the place next door: Temptation. I won't go into too many details other than to say it was adults only, topless-optional. Next vacation is booked! I kid, I kid! 2) the Cancun airport doesn't open until about 5am. If you are booking a flight that early from Cancun, you are doing it wrong, but there you go. 3) Deaf World is small! If you are Deaf or work with Deaf, you already know this; for you hearing people not in the know - find a Deaf person. Then find another Deaf person across the country with seemingly nothing in common. Wait five minutes and you'll be surprised how many mutual acquaintances will shake loose. One of the employees of the resort was Deaf and we communicated with gestures, fingerspelling, and a smattering of ASL and LSM. Before the week was out, we'd met a Deaf couple. One half was from Rochester, my home town, and the other was from Atlanta, where I live now. And of course we knew many of the same people.
Rochester, NY / Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Buffalo, NY
| The next excursion involved a fifteen hour, or thereabouts, drive to Rochester. I was the +1 for a wedding in Buffalo and took the opportunity to visit quickfast with some friends and family in Rochester AND to make a trip north of the border to check out a restaurant in Toronto. If you know someone from Western NY, you undoubtably have heard about Wegmans. If you get the chance, go. Just do it, you'll see. If you are a beer aficionado and find yourself with some time in Rochester, I recommend Tap & Mallet. |
Leaving Rochester behind, passport in hand, my wedding date and I made our way north to Toronto to check out the restaurant Signs. It's a restaurant where you are greeted and order in American Sign Language. Most of the staff is Deaf and everyone can communicate in ASL -- so I was told.
There is a cheat sheet menu to help those that don't know ASL already. There was a full bar and the mood was causal, with a nod toward upscale. Didn't see any ties, but didn't see any kids either on the Thursday night we were there.
I think it's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area (hell, I was two hours away and made the trip). If I lived in Toronto, I'd probably be a semi-regular visitor. We both knew ASL before going in, but everyone seemed friendly and I don't think one would have a problem, even if he or she wasn't fluent beforehand.
Sidenote: the hotel we stayed at in Toronto was an absolute GEM. Quite possibly the best hotel I've ever stayed in. The room looked like NYC apartments do in the movies, with some guy walking around topless in silk PJ bottoms. I don't remember the name of it of course, but damn it was sweet. I'll have to research.
To B'lo! The wedding in Buffalo was the purpose of the trip and was also a good time. I was the +1, so I won't go too much into it, but the bride was beautiful, the groomsmen hilarious, the locale exceptional, and the photo booth rocking! Plus, there was fire!
There is a cheat sheet menu to help those that don't know ASL already. There was a full bar and the mood was causal, with a nod toward upscale. Didn't see any ties, but didn't see any kids either on the Thursday night we were there.
I think it's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area (hell, I was two hours away and made the trip). If I lived in Toronto, I'd probably be a semi-regular visitor. We both knew ASL before going in, but everyone seemed friendly and I don't think one would have a problem, even if he or she wasn't fluent beforehand.
Sidenote: the hotel we stayed at in Toronto was an absolute GEM. Quite possibly the best hotel I've ever stayed in. The room looked like NYC apartments do in the movies, with some guy walking around topless in silk PJ bottoms. I don't remember the name of it of course, but damn it was sweet. I'll have to research.
To B'lo! The wedding in Buffalo was the purpose of the trip and was also a good time. I was the +1, so I won't go too much into it, but the bride was beautiful, the groomsmen hilarious, the locale exceptional, and the photo booth rocking! Plus, there was fire!
So, this has turned out longer than I expected. I'm thinking I will make separate entries. Soon!
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