MY HUSBAND AND I have traveled to Mexico at the beginning of December each year since 2004. Our first trip was for the wedding of our son and daughter-in-law at the Iberostar Tucan, an all-inclusive resort on the Mayan Riviera. Since then, we have stayed at the Tucan’s “sister” hotel, the Iberostar Quetzal. It’s a jungle paradise and we love it there.
This year, we left on November 30 and flew from Providence, RI, to Philadelphia, where we changed planes for Cancun. I don’t look forward to the travel day, but I get around that by starting a new crochet project at the beginning of the trip. I loaded my Mexican-themed KOALA Caddie with the pattern and makings of a pale yellow fisherman crochet baby wrap, a gift for a new arrival to the family, he or she expected in mid-January.
Everything went smoothly at check-in and security. I worked on my swatch for gauge and by the time we boarded the plane, I was ready to start my foundation chain. Our stay in Mexico was wonderful. We had about 5 minutes of rain during the two weeks. The daytime temperatures were in the high-70s and low 80s, and the evenings in the low 70s. With sunshine, great food, a beautiful beach, and wonderful service from the dearest people in the world, there was everything to love.
We left the resort for the Cancun airport on December 13. When we went through the security checkpoint, a young man asked who owned the big orange beach bag. Yes, it was me. As I joined him he said: Senora, we do not allow needles. I dug out my Caddie stored in the bag and I showed him my project and hooks. Well, they do not allow hooks either. I had 6 or 7 aluminum hooks, and 4 wooden handled ones. There was no choice. I bid them goodbye and wished them well in their new lives in Mexico.
So, no crocheting on the trip home. I should have been wiser and checked into the security regulations on leaving Cancun. As for my hooks, I heard a saying once that I repeat often: If your horse is dead, dismount.
I am sharing this little tale in the hope that another needlecrafter will be spared losing their needles or hooks. As a crocheter, it was a simple matter, but for a knitter with a complex project underway on who knows how many needles? … well, I cringe to think of it.
The traveling baby wrap is almost finished. I will post it on Ravelry along with the information about checking airport security regulations regarding knitting needles and crochet hooks on each leg of a trip. What you might be able to carry in, you might not be able to carry out!
All is well ~ Mary
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