When I think about how to describe the week we spent in Cozumel this month, the word “Sweet” captures the feeling the best. Yes, it’s cliche, but apropos. Our guests are the sweetest, smartest, most generous women on the planet. Even after flights as long as 20 hours, our guests arrived sleepy-eyed, but bushy-tailed and ready to down “bumblebees” in the pool. Of course, everyone was tired, so our Sweet mermaids didn’t start their nightly skinny dipping rituals until day 2.
The Cozumel Palace Resort is gorgeous. It’s a five-star, service-oriented oasis. The staff loved us, even though we kept them pouring drinks at the swim-up bar until 4am.
In addition to kick-ass shows by Suzanne Westenhoefer, Bridget McManus, That’s What She Said and Corday (and the classic rock cougars) as well as Babs’ bawdy hijinks, we made a big difference to people, animals and environment of Cozumel.
Never one to back down from a challenge, DJ Trina J organized a big expedition and donation for the local humane society. DJ Trina J is muy cool. A successful entrepreneur by day and a DJ on weekends, Trina donates all the proceeds from her DJ career to humane societies all over the United States. Last year, she donated $12,000. In one week in Cozumel, she and the Sweeties raised over $10,000 in cash and supplies. Moreover the women of Sweet gave the gift of time, sanding and repainting kennels, washing and brushing dogs and cats (Curve founder Frances Stevens washed at least two dozen herself), walking dogs and giving them tons of love.
The women of Sweet always go the extra mile. Many women returned every day to walk dogs and pet kitties. Living with a lesbian is the stray animal equivalent of hitting the lottery. Sweet founder Jen Rainin was so moved by her morning at the humane society that she decided Sweet would foot the bill to get these adorable animals to new homes in the United States and Canada. The Sweeties took the bait, giving nine dogs and three kittens fab new homes. Jackpot! Crystal took home a puppy and named him “Sweet.” Natalie rescued Pistache, Dee and Kelly rescued Foxy and Cheli, Sandra and Angela rescued Chicha, Gina and Cindy rescued dump dogs Zacatecas and Osita and DJ Trina J rescued the one-eyed poodle Nina. On the cat lady front, Sweet’s Becky and Susan took home a kitten and Joni and Jodi took home a dog named Perla and two kittens.
Many of the Sweeties were worried that the visit to the Humane Society would be depressing and didn’t want to risk a bad experience on their vacation. But those who went were surprised to find a clean and cheerful facility where the animals are often allowed to run free with each other. Overall, it was a very positive outing for the group.
The turtles were happy to see us, too. We did two batches of 26-person sea turtle habitat restoration and baby sea turtle release in coordination with the island’s sea turtle rescue project. Watching those babies scamper off to sea was remarkable.
Eighty-five percent of the trash that washes up on Mexico’s shores is from other countries. Sweeties cleaned up two beaches as well.
We had such an amazing time, we’re going back in 2012. Don’t miss your chance to spend a week in paradise with the best women on earth. Book Cozumel 2012 now!
Tags: Suzanne Westenhoefer
10/04/10
4:30 pm
First let me say that this was a first for me. I had never been to a resort trip. I had gone to cozumel on a cruise but nothing was as exciting and wonderful as this trip to the Cozumel Palace with Sweet. I have a bad knee and was treated like a queen while there. The staff found me a wheel chair, they helped me exercise my knee in the pool and before you knew it I was limping all over the resort. I didn’t go to the humane excursions because I thought I would not be able to walk very far but next time I will be there in 2012 helping out on the beaches as much as I can. We did get to a beach prior to leaving and about 8 of us had the most amazing time there. I kept in contact with some of the staff that say that The Sweet Women were AMAZING and so much fun that now they are bored and can’t wait to see us again. Thank You Sweet for such a wonderful time. I loved the resort and you guys for being so friendly and down to earth.
many hugs
Lourdes and “Brick house”