timeshare – Just Like Starting Over

It is always nice to get away from a Chicago winter. Utilizing our resort timeshare and traveling to a locale we have grown very familiar with over the past five years keeps the stress levels low and the expectations in line. But no matter how at home we are with the sprawling resort at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, there are things we learn on every trip. Here are a few, in no particular order.

We were smart to bring along our own ground coffee, tea bags, and sweeteners. What I was not prepared for was how loooong it took the electric stovetop to boil water for my morning cup(s) of tea. I know I was down in Mexico to relax, and there was nothing more pressing on my schedule than “Lay at the pool,” but I still get impatient when the minutes tick by and my first jolt of caffeine is on hold waiting for the tea kettle to whistle. Give me a gas stove any day…or at least a good electric kettle. Note to self–pack electric kettle next year.
We are not automatic pushovers! On our first visit to the resort five years ago we were enticed by the “special promotions” to attend a timeshare sales pitch lunch. Despite plenty of expenses already on our plate–inconsequential things such as building the new house and planning and paying for our daughter’s wedding–we succumbed to temptations and with visions of 6 bedroom deluxe vacation villas dancing in our heads, signed a contract that in reality gave us just an annual week of a one-bedroom suite.

This year resort management invited us to an “owners’ luncheon” with promises of no hard sell and a chance to hear all the latest and greatest about the resort company. Since we had heard through the grapevine the company was planning on building in a few locales we are interested in visiting, and since there was an offer of $100 in resort credit on the table, we gambled that we could be strong and resist any new sales pitch that came along. Sure enough, our Chicken Caesar Salads and Tequila Sunrises (I know it was lunch, but we were on vacation so a bit of day-drinking was necessary) came with a one time offer to toss another $10,000 into our Mexican investment so that we could get better use out of our otherwise worthless Platinum Points. I am pleased to say, we resisted the salesman’s pitch. Though to paraphrase Mario Puzo from the novel “The Godfather,” I have to admit, he didn’t try very hard.

A steady stream of over-chlorinated pool water can bring with it a moderate level of eye discomfort and redness. A single drop of sweat tinged with sunblock can produce excruciating pain and near-instant –but fortunately temporary– blindness. That’s what I get for heeding the words of my dermatologist (and Barb about dedicated use of sunblock.
“Farm-to-Table Restaurant” in Mexico means the same thing as “Farm-to-Table Restaurant” in the USA. Expensive.
When finished snorkeling, it is best to return to the boat that brought you, not waste all your energy going to the wrong excursion. You don’t want to have to tip the crew of two boats.
I could save a ton of money on taxi rides if I would rent a car. However, I am still to chicken to drive in Mexico. Maybe if I took the trouble to learn Spanish…
The next peso I spend in Cabo will be the first peso I spend in Cabo. Dollars, dollars, dollars.
Chicago weather hype reaches for thousands of miles. We were bombarded for days with news about the monster storm headed to O’Hare. American Airlines warned us we should change our flight. They sure psyched me out. Barb remained level headed and resisted my pleas for us to come home two days early to avoid the 6-12 inches of imaginary snow that never fell. If a meteorologist replaced me in the lab, they would call every biopsy “possibly malignant,” just in case!
OK, I give in. A Kindle is easier to transport than 3 library books. Even if my carry-on now contains fourteen charges and three adapters.
No matter how many discounts the management wants to give us, we will never pay for the all-inclusive meals/drinks package. But’s it’s not hard to tell which patrons do–and you don’t have to look for their wrist bracelets to know who they are. Their girth usually gives them away.

All in all, a good trip. The only Corona we saw was the beer. The trip we were planning on taking to China in May? Canceled because of that other newsworthy Corona. You can’t win ’em all.

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Vacation, all I ever wanted…

…vacation, had to get away.

The Go-Gos, 1982

You know about the house and the hole. We have lived in and loved the house for almost twenty six years. We have such wonderful memories, when the time comes it will be hard to say goodbye. But we know it will make a new homeowner very happy, and for me it is time for a change. When will the move come? As of now, we really can’t predict. Sad to say, the hole in the ground is still just a hole in the ground. Concrete footings have been poured, some additional forms put up, but the cold weather has hampered progress. There is a payment due though, so there must be something happening, somewhere!

Now, about “The Week.” You may have noticed the blog took a brief hiatus. Barb and I were with friends in Mexico at a wonderful resort in Cabo St. Lucas on the Baja Peninsula. We walked on the beach, we sunned, we played tennis every morning. I swam in at least 4 different pools, and could have chosen from 2 or 3 more. Whales spouted below our balcony. We chowed at funky places on the beach, and dined at exquisite restaurants under the stars. We rated the Margaritas where ever we went; some of them were as good as my homemade ones. And how incredible those stars were! Without the distraction of urban lights, the constellations glowed in the sky. For the first time I understood what the ancients saw when they imagined Orion, a giant hunter, in the sky.

But then there was the one day that had to be devoted to “The Pitch.” The Pitch is hard to avoid at these resorts because the resort world is timeshare world. Buy a week and vacation in luxury forever. The hard sell started with a soft sell, just a buffet breakfast, a sales rep joining us and our friends. “Getting to know you” chatter, followed by questions designed to ferret out our vacation styles, our family size, and our pocket book limits. Barb and I have been through it before and played the game, with no intention of going beyond that.

After breakfast, the rep led us to a golf cart and began the tour of all the resort properties. I hate to admit to it, but Barb and I were amazed. Beautiful multi-level individual homes, with private pools, saunas, chef’s kitchen, and even a chef, available for a price. The various levels of property one or two steps down from the houses were also quite nice, as were the various suites in the main buildings. At some point the rep must have realized he might have a couple of fish on his line.

When we returned to the sales office, the push to buy began. “Which property interests you?” “Buy today and get double resort points. ” “This week we have a special offer.” The low key sales rep was replaced by sales manager. It was just like a car dealership. Still Barb and I resisted. We down want to be tied down to any one property or group of properties. We want to see the world. We have other expenses. We said no, no, no. And then The Closer arrived. Brian Urlacher on steroids. Talking fast, talking loud, laughing at all his own jokes. Making pledges and promises. “You like those private homes? I will guarantee you get one whenever you want. Don’t want to use all your points? I will give you twice as many as you need. Once a day maid service isn’t enough? My wife will stop by every afternoon to do the dishes.” This man could SELL.

And we cracked. Our self control had crumbled in the hot Mexican sun. And that is why we are proud owners of 7 days of time share, 300 annual resort points, and membership in Upscale Resorts of the World. So it looks like a lot of family vacations are in our future. Kids, pack your bags!

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Tag: timeshare

Cabo Wabo–Timeshare Style

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