Ben Schott’s traveler’s notes

‘Frzngrpe?’ asked the pool attendant, as I was sunbathing at the Scottsdale Four Seasons. I begged his pardon. ‘Frzngrpe!’ he replied. I clearly looked as baffled as I felt. ‘FRZN-GRP!’ And then it clicked: ‘Why, thank you! A frozen grape is just what this blistering heat demands.’ After half an hour the chap was back: ‘Sprz?’ Eh? ‘Sprz?’ Hmmm. ‘SPRZ!’ ‘Ah, yes, as the thermometer creeps into the nineties, an icy Evian spritz is ideal.’ I was reminded of this interaction recently while staying at the absurdly well-appointed Rosewood Mayakoba on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. One…