LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

When our winter getaway to Huatulco, Mexico was booked for us, my husband and I expected hot days lounging in the sun. We had no idea our trip would include encounters with three tarantulas, one scorpion, a temperamental water pump, earthquakes, a sketchy property manager, killer bees, and a dead body.

For months prior to our departure we had been enchanted with pictures of the stately Casa Lukanna where we would be staying for the first couple weeks of our time in Huatulco. We dreamed of beautiful palm trees, lounging outdoors on the veranda, and drinking yummy, frosty beverages around the large backyard pool.

To be fair, we had also been told about the rather large boa constrictor that had almost slithered up to one of the previous guests on the veranda and that a tarantula had been spotted in the backyard, but being forewarned we planned to keep our eyes open and our shoes on. Plus I had immediately ordered a bug tent from Amazon (after hearing about the tarantula) and packed it in my suitcase. It was the first thing I unpacked and set up on the bed upon my arrival. I didn’t plan to close even one eye without being safely ensconced in its protective barrier.