February 2024 marked Mexico trip numero siete for me, and as you can tell, I am now fluent in the Spanish language. Nana Florence and Great Grandma Garcia would be mucho proudo of me!

This time around, we planned our adventure more strategically… First, we decided to travel during our school’s designated spring break week to avoid being labeled as truant.

Second, while embracing a hint of rebellion against the attendance policy that landed us in the principal’s office last year, we did manage to escape school early on Friday. Our destination? Minneapolis, where we arrived the evening prior to our flight, eager to make some Mall of America memories!

And finally, our third pro tip was booking our tropical adventure through a Moon Palace Diamond member (“Uncle Rusty,” who was vacationing at the same time) so we could enjoy Diamond VIP perks, like our personally assigned concierge named Enriqué, pre-arrival restaurant reservations, fancy pool-side cabanas, 2 free off-resort excursions, 3 hours of bowling, complimentary manicures, pedicures, and back massages, private golf cart transportation, front row seats for shows, and a special entrance at restaurants that allowed us to skip waiting in any lines. (Of course, this status created high hopes and grand visions for me and G to pretend like we were filthy rich movie stars, living lavish lives of luxury! But mom did what mom does: She quickly killed our dreams, and told us to stay humble and grounded.)

After a fun dinner at Sugar Factory Express and several exhilarating rollercoaster rides at Nickelodeon Universe (which we even convinced mom and dad to partake in), we spent a night at an airport-friendly hotel and then woke up early to board a plane to Cancún. And just like that, the only distance between being ordinary and becoming extraordinary was a mere 210 minutes and 1,696 miles.

“Oh, hello, Mexico! Your, noble, royal, esteemed (but totally unpretentious) Diamond VIP guests have arrived! No need to make a fuss for us… most of my superfans call me Sir Jaeger Amari, and they greet my sister as Madame Gigi Luigi, but please just consider us down-to-earth friends of the Palace.”

Life sure was good in the all-inclusive neighborhood! Even the belligerent guy who threw an adult tantrum because he left “el phone-o on el plane-o” surely must have found happiness there. I mean, who doesn’t love a Circus-themed dinner upon arrival?

I didn’t think it could get any better than a restaurant designed 100% for kids and by kids, but then we spent the next two days rediscovering the Grand resort in VIP fashion… splashing in every refreshing pool, getting pampered at the spa, playing 18 holes of golf at their Jack Nicklaus signature course, and taking FULL advantage of the poolside Diamond VIP cabanas! Humbly, of course.

On days 4 and 5, we traveled off the resort to embark on our free excursions.

At the dolphin encounter experience, we got to high-five, hug, and swim with such socially skilled, intelligent, and joyful marine mammals. The water was a bit cold and salty, but the dolphins warmed our hearts, especially once my sister and I became fast friends with Diego and Flex. (Naturally, Genesee now wants a pet dolphin instead of a puppy.)

Then, on Wednesday, after making a 2-hour bus trip to Ek’ Balam, Dad and I climbed 106 steps to the top of the Acropolis ruins, where we were rewarded with a stunning view of the peninsula. It was a surprisingly strenuous and tricky climb, especially on the way down. But I’m glad we survived because the next bus stop was at a cenote, which is a natural sinkhole, filled with water.

It was sooo magical! We all found the courage to jump in, and even though it wasn’t a competition or anything, it should be noted that mom’s courage was buried deep and took the longest to find. Dad and I, on the other hand, had no fear at all, so we also soared through the air on the zipline, as another means to plunge into the refreshing waters of the cenote below.

Days 6 and 7 were spent back at the resort, soaking up the sun and partaking in every family-friendly activity, to round out another unforgettable trip! I mean, the Grand at Moon Palace consistently provides a grand ol’ time, but this year felt extra special. Maybe it was those Diamond VIP bracelets? Or perhaps it was everything else, like the perfect weather, so many delicious foods (special shout out to the chocolate lava cake at JC Steakhouse!), the bottomless virgin strawberry daiquiris, getting pulled up on stage for the Mexico show AND the magic show, winning the Jenga tournament, finding the secret heated pool, solving the escape room, conquering the ropes course, bowling our hearts out, ordering late night room service, surfing on the flowrider, playing hide and seek in the playroom, befriending the resort cats, learning how to play pool, visiting a karaoke bar, competing in Fortnite on the arcade’s mega screen, sleeping in late while mom and dad walked on the beach, and soaking in our private bubble bath.

Undoubtedly, the true magic resided in the small, everyday moments that a Moon Palace membership cannot buy. Nonetheless, it still pained me to surrender our Diamond VIP bracelets upon departure, as I was reluctant to return to being a regular, ordinary person again. Even worse, I hated to leave such a beautiful country and culture.

Luckily, as we reminisced back home around the kitchen table, my parents promised that our feet would again touch Mexican sand in the future. Most importantly, they affirmed that Genesee and I don’t need bracelets to shine bright like diamonds, as they confidently assured us that we will always be VIPs in their eyes!

I responded, “Aw- shucks,” and then proceeded to order a foot massage and bottomless daiquiri.

My request was denied. Emphatically. But I still feel very important and loved, albeit thirsty, too.