Brrr!! It’s been cold, rainy and oh-so-blustery today. I’m huddled under three quilts with a heating pad in my lap to keep me nice and toasty as the storm rages.

On such a night it pleases me no end to go back through my photo albums, looking at pictures of warm, sunny places with dear friends. So today I’m going to do just that, and drag you along on a stroll through the back streets of Cozumel, Mexico.

As much as I love stunning monuments and historical buildings like the tower below, I am always drawn to the side streets, back alleys, and neighborhoods of the places I visit. This is where the real citizens of a place live, shop, and visit with their friends.

I explored Cozumel with my friend Amy and we stayed at the lovely Allegro Cozumel all-inclusive resort. We were both exhausted upon arrival and spent our first few days on the beach snoozing and soaking up healing sunshine. Then we were ready to explore!

We went to the main strip of Cozumel, wandering past jewelry vendors, eying the fabulous lacy white hammocks that swayed enticingly all over the island and deciding that no, we really did not need to take any back with us. Then we headed down a side street and meandered happily through town. Amy loves to look at local pharmacies and grocery stores to get a feel for a new country, and I’m a fiend for Farmer’s markets and restaurants. We found plenty to delight us both.

I was intrigued by the gates and bars guarding every home we saw. By themselves they could’ve been austere, stark, and decidedly unwelcoming, but the instead the inhabitants planted flowering vines that clambered everywhere softening hard edges and making even security look beautiful.

It was a great way to spend an afternoon. What things make you feel like you’re seeing the “real” side of a city or country?