My dad talks to everyone. By the end of a dinner meal, my dad will know the waiter or waitress’ name, age, address, and social security number. Just kidding, but he does like to talk to them and get to know them. So it’s no wonder that when in Cancun, Mexico, my dad talked to the hotel staff and got in contact with the hotel’s activities director, Antonio.

My dad wanted to know when, where, how, and why something was going on so he could participate or coax, force, & volunteer my friends and I into participating. Being it was the guy’s first week on the job, it wasn’t that hard to convince us when on his first day we watched him unsuccessfully gather people for yoga on the beach. Nothing like making the new guy look good. My friends and I are caring people like that.

(But seriously, we made him look good. My crew, a total of 6 people (me, 3 friends, 2 parents), going forth on any activity looked impressive for one of the beginning weeks of spring break. We might have also told his boss how fantastic he was, too…)

From our lounge chairs on the beach we were able to play bingo on cool cards that you marked the number by sliding over a screen instead of playing with chips. Of my group, three of us became bingo winners, which also meant prize winners: free drink, free figurine to paint, or my personal favorite that I won, a free massage from the spa. Best decision to play bingo ever.

Funnily enough, of all the other winners we encountered, all were from Michigan like we were (or like I used to be). Michiganders must like their Fiesta Americanas. (But on the flip side of that, everyone else we met out and about were from different countries like England, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and France.)

Another favorite activity that Tony - as we preferred to call him - got us into was volleyball. By having me and my three friends play, it was easier to convince other people to play so we could get enough of a crowd to for long volley. It’s only so fun playing 2-on-2, so getting 4-on-4 and even 6-on-6 was more fun.

Factor in that one of the nicest players randomly decided to buy everyone tequila shots (followed with sangrita (not sangria, as he burned into our brains), which helps the tequila go down better than chasing with a lime, he informed us), we formed quite the friendships with fellow players. Plus when one of us missed the ball or served into the net, we could just yell TEQUILA! Or ‘happy hour for the flower’ and get a redo.

us with Tony and Tequila Man

Tony also got us into water basketball. Well, more like my dad got Tony to suggest doing it, who then made it happen. (Part of me thinks my dad wanted Tony’s job… No, I know he does.) It was a refreshing way to cool off and to play. Plus when we were done playing, all we had to do was swim up to the water bar for a drink. (It’s Cancun, ya drink a lot. It’s also my family: it’s always 5 o’clock.)

Getting to know the activities director turned out to be pretty fun. Normally I’m turning my head in embarrassment at my dad’s love for talking to everyone, but in that case he did well. Plus –from his standpoint - he found someone to entertain me and my friends, because he sure as hell wasn’t going to do it.

Next time you’re vacationing, think about checking in with your hotel’s activity director to find out what cool events and activities they have planned. Who knows - maybe you’ll win a free massage, and who doesn’t love free massages? Or free tequila shots?

Brianna Krueger is the Chief Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright Brianna Krueger