Vacations aren't the same any more

Vacations are just not the same any more. When we were younger, we could eat and drink just about anything we wanted with no consequences. Now that we're in our 60s, that's not the case at all.

I know, I know. All the seniors out there are wondering why I'm complaining about my golden years. A lot of people don't consider 63 old. In fact, I don't either in most cases. It's just not the same when you go to another country.

My very best friend has gone into the travel agency business. Susie is very good at what she does, and the perks seem to be great. She had the opportunity to go to a five-star resort in Cancun and bring a guest at an extremely discounted price. Her husband did not want to go, so I lucked out.

The only other time I'd been to Mexico was on a cruise, and we only got off the ship for a few hours. I knew about the warnings; I knew I shouldn't drink the water. In fact, they kept a half-dozen bottles of water in our room every day.

Still, I didn't know you shouldn't even brush your teeth without using bottled water. Had I been younger, it probably wouldn't have bothered me, but by the second day there, my stomach was leading a mutiny against everything that entered my mouth.

I'm not much of a drinker but, I must admit, I do love pina coladas when on vacation and was determined not to let the mutiny deprive me from enjoying them. We went on a mission to find help. It was found in the form of a bottle of Metamucil at the gift shop. Just seeing it there makes you wonder if they have to keep it stocked all the time.

Heading for the nearest bar with my treasure in a bag, we first ordered a bottle of water and then two pina coladas with an extra glass. As we sat there mixing the golden powder with water under the table, I found it strange that so many people were staring. No matter. It worked. I took it every day and was finally able to eat and drink almost anything I wanted. The octopus on the buffet one night was, however, a little easy to refuse.

All in all, it was a great trip. A lot of walking. A lot of getting lost. And a lot of food and drink. The only problem now it getting friends and family to stop harassing me about the Metamucil.

(Pat Fickle is a Martinez resident.)