Been having such an amazing time here in Yucatan.  The readings of _Sunsets of Tulum_ went well, and there’s been plenty of great wildlife to see along the way.  Some of the road signs we passed are below:

Most of the time we’ve stayed in relatively cheap motels, with a few notable exceptions. The Hacienda Blancaflor was lovely and cost $79/night. It’s out of the way, so we ate dinner and breakfast there, and it was great food. Our total bill came to 2000 pesos, which is about $160 or so with the exchange rate. Not bad!

More pics and comments at www.facebook.com/RayBartlettAuthor — hope to see you there!

It’s amazing to be back in Yucatan! Not just because it’s 80 degrees here and was 29 when I left. I’ve already had 2 lovely book signings in Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Needful Things Used Bookstore hosted me the evening I flew in, Saturday the 16th, and it was a bit dicey because the flight from EWR to CUN had a medical emergency. A woman passed out right in the next aisle and that probably helped us arrive early. We breezed through immigration and customs (for once!) and our car rental company Avant is worth mentioning: they’re kind of under the radar because they meet you outside the airport in the parking lot, but they charged EXACTLY what we were quoted, they drop off and pick up anywhere, and they even include a big plastic ice cooler.

The reading at Needful Things was less attended than we’d hoped, but the people who came were so interested and enthusiastic it was impossible not to have a great time. We drank Tulum Sunsets, we talked about writing, I signed books (see here!) and it reminded me again how much fun the publicity side of writing is. Books matter.

Then to Puerto Morelos, where Alma Libre Bookstore and Layla Guesthouse co-hosted me for a wonderfully attended evening. 30+ people and some old friends, including the hammock-maker, Mauricio, who in a vague way inspired the hammock scene in Sunsets of Tulum. Had great questions from the audience and sold a number of books at the signing.

Today we head to Tulum, where we’ll be floating down Mayan canals, hopefully seeing parrots and toucans in the jungle, and visiting the youth hostel in Tulum that inspired some of the book! Can’t wait!