tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39907077759578654452024-03-13T08:53:50.864-07:00Mexico on My OwnJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-55017008834896874392009-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:03:07.699-08:00Brrrrrrrrrrrr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinttce16IjqbyHcFj7C2y3VT3Pu1pvKSQ6MTHP-9Fa1EM8b4RO2iUR-IEB_dFbLOjiLiW-bt9pPRfGOyo_mf9yAIPkmOCi_N7t65V60vdN8G6cCiBAnX-ZtPKzoGgh3Q3FJl-r3rQHOQ4/s1600-h/5day_640.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411411740856925394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinttce16IjqbyHcFj7C2y3VT3Pu1pvKSQ6MTHP-9Fa1EM8b4RO2iUR-IEB_dFbLOjiLiW-bt9pPRfGOyo_mf9yAIPkmOCi_N7t65V60vdN8G6cCiBAnX-ZtPKzoGgh3Q3FJl-r3rQHOQ4/s400/5day_640.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, that is Farenheit, not Celcius! Brrrrrrrrrrr. I arrived safely - in fact an hour early! - Wednesday night...I'm busy readjusting and getting caught up at work (only 471 emails- not bad)...will update with more Merida & Isla Mujeres adventures and pictures in the coming days...including some exciting news (well, at least I think it's exciting!)</span><br /><div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-60641256991183103482009-12-01T14:26:00.000-08:002009-12-01T14:29:25.262-08:00Piss Whistler Mystery Solved!<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ha! so it appears no one seems to know...and googling it won't exactly help you either! (good thing because there really were no bonus points) no worries, i didn't know what one was either until meeting one myself. To be honest, I just like saying Piss Whistler so...I made the whole thing up!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">No, just kidding. Well, about the making it up part....I do like saying Piss Whistler. I mean come on...how can one say that and not have a smile come to your face? Come on now, say it with me: Piss Whistler. If you happened to just say it out loud I'm sure it's more than just you smiling right now! (Stephanie, I can picture you at your desk saying it aloud to your computer screen!) PW and PWH are real people. They never asked to be in my blog, nor do I even think they knew I had a blog until I sent them a link to the post featuring them, so I used PW and PWH to "protect the innocent." But, I didn't just make it up. Maggie (oops, there goes the witness protection plan) really was a Piss Whistler. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, get on with it already Jill...what IS a Piss Whistler?!?! (cuz you are all dying to know, right? i like to think so.) Well, If i remember correctly (PW correct me if I'm wrong)...when there are horse races...you know, like the Kentucky Derby (in case by me saying "horse race" you didn't know what i meant--and if that's the case you really shouldn't be reading my blog because you have other issues you really should be dealing with!) when a horse wins the race they are taken out back for a drug test...you know, to make sure they aren't like those Olympians, or baseball players*, that take steroids. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How does a horse take a drug test you ask? Well, they must piss of course...how else would they take a drug test?! But, as we all know, pissing on demand...sorry, peeing, or rather "tinkling" as my mother would probably prefer I say, is not an easy task. Don't you remember being a kid about to get in the car for a long road trip? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have you gone to the bathroom Jill? </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, mom.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Really? I didn't hear you. (seriously. did you really listen?) </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But moooom, I don't have to!!!! </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here let me turn on the faucet for you, that will help.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What? Don't tell me that didn't happen to you too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, apparently for horses, the equivalent of turning on the faucet is whistling. Mom, imagine that...perhaps you could have saved some water and just whistled to me!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So there you have it...Piss Whistler...errr...Maggie, was a Piss Whistler in her former life. It really has no relevance to who she is or to the story...like I said, I just like saying Piss Whistler. In fact, I think that should be a Jeopardy question.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Equine for $1,000 Alex:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One who soothes winning horses in order to have them take a drug test.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"What is a Piss Whistler?, Alex."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">sometimes i crack myself up! :)</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-35153685104185115742009-11-30T07:06:00.000-08:002009-11-30T08:07:37.731-08:00This Ain't No Sleepy Fishing Village Anymore...<span style="font-family:verdana;">I remember the first time Erik and I came to Isla Mujeres. It was a surprise Christmas present for him. The tickets were free (the <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> perk of my previous job) and we rented Bob & Wayne's place (which, btw, I highly recommend!). Erik had never traveled outside of the U.S. except to London for business (with a side trip thrown in to Amsterdam- of course!). I had previously lived in Belize and traveled some in the Yucatan and Guatemala while living there. I knew for his first trip I didn't want to overwhelm him but, without completely offending some people who may be reading this, let's just say Cancun is NOT our style. I think it was a fluke that I found Isla Mujeres...and it was described in a travel book as a sleepy fishing village off the coast of Cancun. Perfect I thought. This was 4 years ago. That first night we arrived I distinctly remember sitting on some logs down on the beach across from Jax with tears streaming down my face. Erik, completely perplexed, asked me what was wrong. "This isn't a sleepy fishing village." I said. To him though, it was...that is, until we went to the deserted beaches of Tulum days later when he looked at me and said "now I know why you were crying...THIS is a sleepy fishing village." And a year and a half later when we bused Mexico, Belize & Guatemala he REALLY knew what I meant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Now, any of you Isla-holics reading this, don't hate me...I get why you like the place...and this is only my opinion. It just ain't no sleepy fishing village anymore...that's for sure (and yes, I know the colonias are a whole other world). And boy, had I known how much had changed between then and now...I would have quite possibly said it was sleepy then. Yes, I get that they rely on tourism...so these monstrosities that are popping up are helping the economy- i guess. call me crazy, i just can't make myself like them. I mean really...a place called Privilege...that advertises "feeling privilege?" Crap...if I stayed there I'd be ashamed of the privileges afforded me. Again, this is my blog, and MY opinion...I love the locals of Isla Mujeres, and think they are some of the hardest working people I know...I guess what I can't wrap my mind around is that they are trying to please this "cancun " image of tourists- and perhaps because we have led them to believe that's what we want. And yes, some people DO want that...but that's what I thought Cancun was for. I mean really....I'm staying at Francis Arlene - a place Erik and I stayed on our second trip and really liked (and still do)- and I have heard music blaring...I'm not exaggerating...until 3:30am in the morning from, get this...a club across and down the street named Libido! Really?!?!? Who even walks into a club named that? I honestly considered leaving and going back to Merida for the remainder of my stay...if it weren't a 4.5hr bus ride each way, I probably would be there now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I just find it interesting that when I first planned this trip I purposefully put Merida at the beginning thinking: it's a big, busy city...I'll want to do that all first so I can just come to Isla and relax. I suppose if I thought hearing blaring music, obnoxious drunk tourists screaming in the street until 3:30am (yes, I've checked the clock both nights) and hearing nothing but American music at every beach bar I sit at, and more English being spoken than Spanish, was my idea of relaxing then...(then again, this is coming from a treehugging, latte drinking elitist- so says McCain- ha! perhaps I'm just cranky because I haven't slept at all because...oh yeah, because of the above!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Don't get me wrong...I have enjoyed doing "nothing" at Playa Sol- despite the overpriced drinks - soaking up the sun, reading, and playing in the crystal blue waters..that part of Isla can't be beat. I could just do without the "cancunification" of it all...I suspect it's inevitable, being so close to the mainland, and I fear Tulum beaches may fall prey to the same fate. I can honestly say though, that my 10 days in a city of 1.6 million people was WAY more relaxing than this has been so far.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />My apologies to any of those I may have offended. I know those of you who love Isla, love it fiercely...and I don't blame you. The locals here are wonderful, the fish is great, the beaches can't be beat. This isn't meant as a post to bash Isla. We each need our place, and I believe I have found mine.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />*****************************************************************<br />Ok, lest you all think I'm a sourpuss, I AM having a good time. I hadn't so much as opened a book since arriving even though I brought two with me and since being on Isla I have already finished two books (not the ones I originally brought - muchos gracias mi amiga Gim)<br /><br />Today I'm going to have my laundry done...not because I necessarily need to but it will be nice to come home and not have to do it all...and, as we all know, it will be great having my clothes smell, at least for a while, like Mexico!<br /><br />I'll leave you with a few Isla photos...I still have so much to write about Merida and more pictures from there to post as well...I don't know however if I'll post again before leaving on Wednesday morning...I can only take this ESPN so long (but I've done my darndest to tune it out)...oh, i did see a sign last night in the main square that said they now have free wi-fi there! Wow- that is great...except there are no trees and i'm not so sure I want to sit in this tropical sun and try to type- let alone see my screen!<br /><br />I will post more upon my return (and who knows, there still be another post coming while I'm here) but in the meantime I'll leave you with these photos... (oh, and really? no one knows what Piss Whistler is?)<br /><br />you really can't beat the blue of the caribbean<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY_vlVjTc94Fq2mm2YsI_ndpOI3uEXbQTQOGanKH3oHJ_2I2e6fH0uPmkZH595EyA5Urmu30udEN6OBtOsAgjMOGe4zYlbcx0HxRhHBlg-JBnKJMhAbZl_d0wm60T3-AkrEejeUQgDJ8/s1600/blue+blue+water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY_vlVjTc94Fq2mm2YsI_ndpOI3uEXbQTQOGanKH3oHJ_2I2e6fH0uPmkZH595EyA5Urmu30udEN6OBtOsAgjMOGe4zYlbcx0HxRhHBlg-JBnKJMhAbZl_d0wm60T3-AkrEejeUQgDJ8/s400/blue+blue+water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409924108777005746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">who's ugly feet are those, anyways?<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCga8kcXftiSiABpqCpiSMHUS9coyM9mdCBQZBFPmk3TcU-SOmtVOnAF-n4BMjYcIQKV61odbEUlGbFB9bfJnLcAIT3WFqk5Bp8eaa_TBoVbovic6PGSZJjT7kDz_-Z-PL5zND6OFvY/s1600/feet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCga8kcXftiSiABpqCpiSMHUS9coyM9mdCBQZBFPmk3TcU-SOmtVOnAF-n4BMjYcIQKV61odbEUlGbFB9bfJnLcAIT3WFqk5Bp8eaa_TBoVbovic6PGSZJjT7kDz_-Z-PL5zND6OFvY/s400/feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409924121375664850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">mmmm, a mango smoothie<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NmTNjQZgFKXvRC6ZDColMVUgL9-A5ALCFTce90PN6kIZ2RWFosW3vP5HHdiMNUT1THukYKAg8eePlrGGpiMnoDUhe9ma4RX-bAwMgfip8chWXdBpfui-bkg4IWfAF2KvXbNAvUc1x0E/s1600/mango+smoothie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NmTNjQZgFKXvRC6ZDColMVUgL9-A5ALCFTce90PN6kIZ2RWFosW3vP5HHdiMNUT1THukYKAg8eePlrGGpiMnoDUhe9ma4RX-bAwMgfip8chWXdBpfui-bkg4IWfAF2KvXbNAvUc1x0E/s400/mango+smoothie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409927278916786658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">sunset...at sunset<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBdYtuPj4PJglfQ6128hMJiwBj_pC-nuDgzC1E16UfpT2ZUEgIAfnc8NslTtsQYR89HasDp3tpuyDNF7ckDGAlpnHRIXH496lwPyitaMiT19ffrIwwmpEmJmSRZSHFuq_kIy-DyRuN4M/s1600/sunset+at+sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBdYtuPj4PJglfQ6128hMJiwBj_pC-nuDgzC1E16UfpT2ZUEgIAfnc8NslTtsQYR89HasDp3tpuyDNF7ckDGAlpnHRIXH496lwPyitaMiT19ffrIwwmpEmJmSRZSHFuq_kIy-DyRuN4M/s400/sunset+at+sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409927289206704658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-73855494891931313962009-11-28T12:57:00.000-08:002009-11-28T13:02:19.152-08:00Piss Whistler and Her Husband<span style="font-family:verdana;">Earlier this week I met what I have a feeling will be lifelong friends who may regret they ever mentioned they have a spare room! Piss Whistler and Her Husband - from here on out known as PS and PSH - are who I see myself being in a few (+ some?) years. They lived a content life in Minnesota (accent and all) running a farm with horse drawn sleigh rides in the winters (disclaimer: this is my account, and PS & PSH feel free to correct anything!). They visited Merida once and fell in love - not with each other, that had happened some years ago, but with Merida itself. So much so that on that very first trip they purchased a home here and less than a year and a half later they are living here full time!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">PS and PSH are two people I truly admire (and envy!)...sure, I've only known them what? a couple of days? But it's just like this city...there is a vibe (ok, I really don't like using that word, it's just what keeps coming out- I must find a better word) and theirs is one I completely get (they may beg to differ!). Sure they are "gringos" so it's not like I've befriended "true" mexicans (whatever that means) - but you know what? so far all of the "gringos" (you know who you are!) I have met in Merida embody all that is Mexico. I think there is a certain type of person who is drawn to Merida (tilted, right Jim?) and while I can't explain it, it speaks volumes about the person.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After PS and PSW invited me to dinner that first night of meeting them I got to thinking - when I met them I had been drinking a quite strong margarita...maybe they were some crazies, and as 7:30pm approached on monday (the time they were to pick me up from the Luz and take me to their home for pre-dinner drinks) I started thinking "am I fool? they were probably just being nice, they aren't really going to show up" not to mention, it was a monsoon outside! I started eating my Pringles (my travel staple food) in case that was how my night ended. But...the DID show up. And PW even gave me the front seat of their Bronco saying "we don't want you to think we're some crazies coming to kidnap you!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We headed to their home (which was beautiful btw) and a friend of theirs, we'll call her PWF (Piss Whistler's friend) came along as well. We then headed to Los Almos (shoot, I might have the wrong name of the restaurant...will correct later when I check). It was a restaurant listed on the "recommended" sheet the Luz gives you when you check in, but I had been hesitant to go because it was described as having a "romantic setting" Needless to say, we had a wonderful evening (speaking for myself of course...for all I know they were thinking "why the heck did we invite this girl?!") and as the evening progressed PWF said, "you know, i've already celebrated Thanksgiving with some friends, would you like me to drive you to Uxmal on Thanksgiving?" I of course, accepted immediately!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Uxmal, the Maya ruin (side note: something I just learned and have been guilty of myself...Mayan only refers to the language) site that everyone, since my arrival has asked if i've been to. I passed up Chichen Itza in favor of Celestun, and perhaps that was a mistake, but I felt as though I would have been going merely to say i did. Anyways, PWF has lived here for at least 8 years (she's actually a Mexican citizen) and from what I can tell so far is an amazing and genuine human being- I wouldn't have accepted the offer if I had thought otherwise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Back to PW and PWH. They were headed to the Yucatan State Fair today...where they have a snow hill! Yes, you read that right. A. SNOW. hill. with real snow...well, you know, manufactured snow, but real ice.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Maybe it's odd to dedicate an entire post to 2 gringos living in Mexico, especially after having just met them, but like I said before, it speaks to this place - Merida - and once you've been to Merida it speaks volumes as to the type of people PW & PWH are.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">PW & PWH...thank you. Than you for opening your home and your friendship to me...it is greatly appreciated and warmly held.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">***I wrote this several days ago..just now getting around to posting it. I made several friendships like PW/PWH while in Merida, and something tells me none of them have seen the last of me!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">***BONUS POINT for anyone who knows what a Piss Whistler is...and DOUBLE BONUS POINTS to anyone who can say Piss Whistler after having a few margaritas! :)</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-68514521800803310712009-11-28T12:06:00.000-08:002009-11-28T12:24:44.652-08:00I found them! I found them!<span style="font-family:verdana;">Any of you that have traveled here will understand. I finally found where the Mexicans are putting all of the...<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5gjh3_qHwHDCBEYqvTDPUG3881Gj8NZh03E8ZhyphenhyphenbKdjxRPw0nq3WSC3Uqp4qLWkWalZRRlqyXdKPvv2VUBMIijiXAu5E5SpISH4nG4Vi6NF24V6A-ZtHVNor1AxtISVIW-Zff-Wmk_I/s1600/toilet+seats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5gjh3_qHwHDCBEYqvTDPUG3881Gj8NZh03E8ZhyphenhyphenbKdjxRPw0nq3WSC3Uqp4qLWkWalZRRlqyXdKPvv2VUBMIijiXAu5E5SpISH4nG4Vi6NF24V6A-ZtHVNor1AxtISVIW-Zff-Wmk_I/s400/toilet+seats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409249352829847346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">LOL...need I say more? (well, probably for anyone who hasn't traveled here, but I guess you'll just have to come down to know what I'm talking about!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm now on Isla and just as I said, at 3:00 on the dot I was at Picus with my feet in the sand and...well, it wasn't a Sol, but just as good</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1TOLVLSOPk6NGqyreWsn8E2h53e54UiDNG-XplJnOOKcZmLUXEOWuRP05kqMuYiQRBY66Kxk1sLTxwuD7q9V_Vgoro-rNvbBA9pkwMsQo9akKprWbrpKChNDiuIYlrlTOv9_v5xYI8U/s1600/picus+margarita.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1TOLVLSOPk6NGqyreWsn8E2h53e54UiDNG-XplJnOOKcZmLUXEOWuRP05kqMuYiQRBY66Kxk1sLTxwuD7q9V_Vgoro-rNvbBA9pkwMsQo9akKprWbrpKChNDiuIYlrlTOv9_v5xYI8U/s400/picus+margarita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409251742873743314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Isla is nice...the blue blue water, and white sandy beaches can't be beat, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I left a bit of my soul in Merida and wish I were still there. I met so many wonderful people (you know who you all are) and I can't even begin to put into words everything that Merida means to me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a bit of a heavy heart today - for several reasons - so I have to admit I'm not much in the mood for posting anything about Isla at the moment. After all, I don't think any of you come here to read something depressing! But, since I'm here at Jax paying for my drinks in order to get free internet I will post about Piss Whistler since I've already written the post on paper. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to take a moment to realize how truly blessed we really are!</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-63215710739850956362009-11-26T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-26T07:00:06.204-08:00Acción de gracias feliz mis amigos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_7wFSMRZlcMLgfGzqCYjNB9b1jpAldB3ASl448e0nYTh3ZlT73oaDzLRQ9hX9qAgo7gH5ZvCeo57KdglkLO_DBECcjGUYNKbAJXllQBf-Sd0ksI3DXlNxp_r_mKLyFCkxQzPtk7baNI/s1600/pollo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_7wFSMRZlcMLgfGzqCYjNB9b1jpAldB3ASl448e0nYTh3ZlT73oaDzLRQ9hX9qAgo7gH5ZvCeo57KdglkLO_DBECcjGUYNKbAJXllQBf-Sd0ksI3DXlNxp_r_mKLyFCkxQzPtk7baNI/s400/pollo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408254936335894370" border="0" /></a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-87556867121003532622009-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:002009-11-26T11:55:19.577-08:00El Mercado<span style="font-family:verdana;">Yesterday I finally made it to the market, and wow, is it ever a market! I figure it deserves its own post. I know I have said several times that my photos aren't doing justice to the subject...well, that couldn't be more true than with these market photos. It is an extremely busy, crammed, and dark indoor market, and with my little point and shoot I just couldn't get those amazing market photos everyone wants. But...they aren't half bad and they might give you some idea.<br />I spent at least an hour there and probably saw 1/8 of it...it is HUGE...and seemed as though you could get lost in the maze.<br /><br />One of the first things I came upon when entering was the live animal section. I took pictures, but I have decided not to post them. It was actually quite disturbing to see these animals caged up and I don't feel that I need to expose you all to them if you don't want to see that kind of thing. If any of you would like to see them so you know what I'm talking about, I'm more than happy to send a few to you. I think probably what made it the hardest for me was the bunnies...hundreds...and they were probably 50 to a cage. I'm still not sure exactly if they were for sale as pets, or for food....all I do know is that they were not healthy...especially sad since Erik and I have 2 rabbits at home as pets that often roam the house freely. Among other animals en mass were birds (parrots, finches, parakeets, etc.) turkeys, ducks, gerbils, and about the cutest darn puppies you've ever seen. I had visions of those movies you see where the person breaks into a research lab and releases all the "test" animals. I thought about it for a quick minute and then realized I'm not so sure those animals would be any better off "free" at that moment in that place. Needless to say, it was a low point of what otherwise has been an incredible trip.<br /><br />But, then I moved on to the rest of the market and was in awe...<br /><br />Perhaps a lot of the vendors ride motorcycles to the market?<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7a8_-UH4ZzA0rIERaqkWAn-cP6rDAmPy_fgoYtDKICi2Ba5vNAHZJkdfvbz7heISrWw87p-AECBAKTrzdeDNog5RGhhZuw0kAGyAusW58Jma_2dFSK3nAW28nKoDuurZwzRUqEGRzm4/s1600/motorcycles+at+market.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7a8_-UH4ZzA0rIERaqkWAn-cP6rDAmPy_fgoYtDKICi2Ba5vNAHZJkdfvbz7heISrWw87p-AECBAKTrzdeDNog5RGhhZuw0kAGyAusW58Jma_2dFSK3nAW28nKoDuurZwzRUqEGRzm4/s400/motorcycles+at+market.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408241933070787506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">There were literally hundreds of dollies lined up</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWdCqkFx79DMVV8ChJ5zY8WNtTspXK_diHxpV-b4FmtD_z4KZ-1hFSLJ1eN-8ucxdbNH8VkRMmVFYltPq_vd7U4BezQNON2yEF_Nv6yu4D78Cokh-l91fZGf7UDrLDbsgB6j0c2HQWRQ/s1600/carts+lined+up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWdCqkFx79DMVV8ChJ5zY8WNtTspXK_diHxpV-b4FmtD_z4KZ-1hFSLJ1eN-8ucxdbNH8VkRMmVFYltPq_vd7U4BezQNON2yEF_Nv6yu4D78Cokh-l91fZGf7UDrLDbsgB6j0c2HQWRQ/s400/carts+lined+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408241943322390722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOewBDCiDh9tIB6BsUYRjFXZGG3aI2932CiPNr9ZSi9pcoKIL_QXh4o6900oSpTd3-s2YFwamXzZJdKYJ-6Sh2rgUrsznbUwltZsR7UXpK6UTd48IpeATpIgBli0kuk5Y09Q5kv_XPXg/s1600/carts+close+up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOewBDCiDh9tIB6BsUYRjFXZGG3aI2932CiPNr9ZSi9pcoKIL_QXh4o6900oSpTd3-s2YFwamXzZJdKYJ-6Sh2rgUrsznbUwltZsR7UXpK6UTd48IpeATpIgBli0kuk5Y09Q5kv_XPXg/s400/carts+close+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408241951686336946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A kilo of huevos anyone?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57_ZPYRX5ttIK_jAYQw4bm1msd5LciwkGhgVO8JbOXoFaTqUvKUkG-RR91kvTvvX5-nmdJhkQrQB-WnLEH04-TaaEaBU4i532-FbF_xRLGKbqa8OYkQ8zo3AJLHIXO_eYdd0TWkFE7gw/s1600/kilo+of+eggs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57_ZPYRX5ttIK_jAYQw4bm1msd5LciwkGhgVO8JbOXoFaTqUvKUkG-RR91kvTvvX5-nmdJhkQrQB-WnLEH04-TaaEaBU4i532-FbF_xRLGKbqa8OYkQ8zo3AJLHIXO_eYdd0TWkFE7gw/s400/kilo+of+eggs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408244854874919122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">the stand where i purchased 2 limes</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CwVmvM9L38b8jb5zsA9hVBVR9Dn2j0YJR_U3NRzE-FpGegsbGkT9GsYphu_FsgO9IM1uEqGxLG41Llw6rXR9JttcomQOewIhnZppDQpUFQ-A3TdPV7_HR5INnvebqLxEJBOm_FfHtks/s1600/market+stall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CwVmvM9L38b8jb5zsA9hVBVR9Dn2j0YJR_U3NRzE-FpGegsbGkT9GsYphu_FsgO9IM1uEqGxLG41Llw6rXR9JttcomQOewIhnZppDQpUFQ-A3TdPV7_HR5INnvebqLxEJBOm_FfHtks/s400/market+stall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408244871874996018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">see what i mean about how narrow and crowded it is?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9EOcDGgrKpQ5PQeGcBXubWzADAoznrEi1V1IvqA5OAxa3PRlHQhMPVLwL_26RXEsLC5FaFdC1ebO9xKJxgeINUZPnz3ZrHOQWqunkM-XXXlQWihqnfGje5qDXxdabHBNDSn6Jkt0YO8/s1600/market+narrow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9EOcDGgrKpQ5PQeGcBXubWzADAoznrEi1V1IvqA5OAxa3PRlHQhMPVLwL_26RXEsLC5FaFdC1ebO9xKJxgeINUZPnz3ZrHOQWqunkM-XXXlQWihqnfGje5qDXxdabHBNDSn6Jkt0YO8/s400/market+narrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408244861352843634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I don't know why, but I have a thing about empty coke bottles...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn0u-fo0bCCH2eMzLAHayFIPsS_iAxI0Uc80XhULZcJDXHpUSAQtO5xFERBoEpd_0mP0kuv9JHP4kR5Dv-jWgFFGzswjOH1a8iRDnbec-AEHP2HuMDNvvMyMuwoiAcqikOiMx1xR2E4g/s1600/returno.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn0u-fo0bCCH2eMzLAHayFIPsS_iAxI0Uc80XhULZcJDXHpUSAQtO5xFERBoEpd_0mP0kuv9JHP4kR5Dv-jWgFFGzswjOH1a8iRDnbec-AEHP2HuMDNvvMyMuwoiAcqikOiMx1xR2E4g/s400/returno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408246861662837826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">doesn't everyone need a virgin mary lit up for christmas? (one should buy stock in mexican christmas lights...they are everywhere!)</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX4_GtlTpJYwUb8MPDZhyphenhyphen3jSnf9Y7qsXdSPkgwWureBB-FlamIyMsipu6VujptUdD-bG8LUA5nxLJKHh9WyWrdNY9a0f451ZBsChVVsnwZ6WNzYsKFFKgt0MuAwqLH7HA8j2S2sPQhHE/s1600/virgin+mary+christmas+lights.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX4_GtlTpJYwUb8MPDZhyphenhyphen3jSnf9Y7qsXdSPkgwWureBB-FlamIyMsipu6VujptUdD-bG8LUA5nxLJKHh9WyWrdNY9a0f451ZBsChVVsnwZ6WNzYsKFFKgt0MuAwqLH7HA8j2S2sPQhHE/s400/virgin+mary+christmas+lights.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408247946941009842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">the thing about the market isn't just that it's a LOT of stalls...but it's stand after stand of the same thing for rows...shoes, bags, christmas lights, fruit/veggies, seafood, beans and...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLWDbsT3Ezr_iNGdKs7D8Hhf5lWDCoHjvFAxucLuY7_rPOl2fh92bi0EOWg_UVVo9rNy1GDc3ox0Kx8P2Tcmslecyv9atMhj0V0r5DaB9jRQH_ak3QWVVT2YiojhLuAENyuTombVnAxs/s1600/rows+of+spices.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLWDbsT3Ezr_iNGdKs7D8Hhf5lWDCoHjvFAxucLuY7_rPOl2fh92bi0EOWg_UVVo9rNy1GDc3ox0Kx8P2Tcmslecyv9atMhj0V0r5DaB9jRQH_ak3QWVVT2YiojhLuAENyuTombVnAxs/s400/rows+of+spices.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408248804091633874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">stall after stall of spices...this gentleman gave me a sample bag of something- he didn't speak english and all i know is it's a spice of some kind (i guess i'll find out when i get home and try it on something!)...and he wouldn't let me pay for it no matter how hard i tried...just another reason this place is so wonderful</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYe4PDTRmDxcCF6t25BZ1jC4najKD7DnPDb2yXbrM1T2lSjFXpndLKtkVoWhd-dnjluBSKQkEj3Z1rLVsay5ta_WXWtGaKz8ctW68QT830az6nJLrGWwTpMcGvoXSJgIJOlZjFw39Ut4/s1600/spice+guy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYe4PDTRmDxcCF6t25BZ1jC4najKD7DnPDb2yXbrM1T2lSjFXpndLKtkVoWhd-dnjluBSKQkEj3Z1rLVsay5ta_WXWtGaKz8ctW68QT830az6nJLrGWwTpMcGvoXSJgIJOlZjFw39Ut4/s400/spice+guy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408246850585750738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've got so much to write about...including Piss Whistler and her Husband, and the amazing day I had today with Jim, but those posts may need to wait a day or two...tomorrow- Thanksgiving, I am headed to Uxmal with a wonderful woman (there's a great story about how this trip came about) and then I leave Friday at 9am for a bus to Cancun with hopes of having my feet in the sand, a Sol in my hand, and pico at Picus by 3pm. So...I'm unsure if I'll get a chance to post before I head for Isla...but one never knows...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hasta Luego!</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-1389257672383976522009-11-24T12:05:00.000-08:002009-11-25T20:06:27.278-08:00We now return to our regularly scheduled program<span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm a bit behind on uploading pictures and posting...today is a bit stormy- cloudy, windy, rainy...HUMID. So, I figured I'd do a photo dump with a few comments here and there...enjoy!<br /><br />I think I could take 1,000 pictures and I'd still see a different/new building that caught my eye!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxrqoJAaoJqrJ4EpMTazMLSZTNSs27zU7IZaHs3PPLnuSvS8qpcrRCM1QhlTVGb-bPguqpIcHjem1VaLeP0hWHhl3z1lbpDx2EJuwDbb7V2dinqgXqN-RXaddrOYqXbkRhdbwAuW7isQ/s1600/3+flags.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxrqoJAaoJqrJ4EpMTazMLSZTNSs27zU7IZaHs3PPLnuSvS8qpcrRCM1QhlTVGb-bPguqpIcHjem1VaLeP0hWHhl3z1lbpDx2EJuwDbb7V2dinqgXqN-RXaddrOYqXbkRhdbwAuW7isQ/s400/3+flags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407767821319810706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxozHoadQQ-zT9KS0PtkAvRO45MPjk9XZgA8yGpxpmCm72yWZbxDdx9Hy-4whCDdVIif5wWosiYyhki6MLhLND4L4Ll7nNMQT8PFmGHwHj8bJaaavaJnHU7R1XM3kXwenLQFhZdp8Dvc/s1600/man+exiting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxozHoadQQ-zT9KS0PtkAvRO45MPjk9XZgA8yGpxpmCm72yWZbxDdx9Hy-4whCDdVIif5wWosiYyhki6MLhLND4L4Ll7nNMQT8PFmGHwHj8bJaaavaJnHU7R1XM3kXwenLQFhZdp8Dvc/s400/man+exiting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407795766173989394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, that is a Burger King...and there is a McDonalds...and I hear there are 3 Starbucks, however I have yet to see them...I think they are in the northern part of the city (rich) where the malls are</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu-s4YkBVneg2sesHJ9uSDLQs3IzqM-zseeHRguGsVvSYhV8AySalHtT7Est39jStH55HQh5MK9rHHhQAO9vO2APeZ5fOsziEn1Ajyd5T8DfKooo-JBWgjNsjfMh6XUc3oBKEwTwXlXw/s1600/burger+king.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu-s4YkBVneg2sesHJ9uSDLQs3IzqM-zseeHRguGsVvSYhV8AySalHtT7Est39jStH55HQh5MK9rHHhQAO9vO2APeZ5fOsziEn1Ajyd5T8DfKooo-JBWgjNsjfMh6XUc3oBKEwTwXlXw/s400/burger+king.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407767823189078914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">There are parks everywhere...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy7zPhg7CQB5KCiNtRYPobGYNDUz6xhY-8fVcLqwMZJZxHf97dq3P7MDRdoeoRcHX8y9QriIwULwC3B0CIkn_0iW5FMNzSfRxpk7HbIStfP5nBZiWvZmYqc9yAQGjxZHQT9FAM5-CQqU/s1600/slide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy7zPhg7CQB5KCiNtRYPobGYNDUz6xhY-8fVcLqwMZJZxHf97dq3P7MDRdoeoRcHX8y9QriIwULwC3B0CIkn_0iW5FMNzSfRxpk7HbIStfP5nBZiWvZmYqc9yAQGjxZHQT9FAM5-CQqU/s400/slide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407795775958727730" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">There are also magazine stands on many corners...i think they sell all sorts of magazines, but if you just glance it appears to be only "girly" mags ;)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVquCIjkLHRTUTadTxB8ZXYT8Lw5VT3BCO3fT_RVhibfVCbyt2PbnU8FCus_vlYXsmebqin0COdEoIEcKHt6A7CgcZ8zwhBbCcI4WZgpAc_wSjOLJ5IBLMNYigSs3o6m2wEj8ucxI-j5M/s1600/magazines+on+street+corner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVquCIjkLHRTUTadTxB8ZXYT8Lw5VT3BCO3fT_RVhibfVCbyt2PbnU8FCus_vlYXsmebqin0COdEoIEcKHt6A7CgcZ8zwhBbCcI4WZgpAc_wSjOLJ5IBLMNYigSs3o6m2wEj8ucxI-j5M/s400/magazines+on+street+corner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407795755877071890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">and after looking at <span style="font-style: italic;">those</span> mags, you go to church!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZGWTAn895zC4kwzTCyvM9HA3ptHhyz79OMXS7K9Zvfn3yp_FcplzL0iGcWZgDK3Nw0eHx3cchBX0NOCV-SjNGMWEaUOHTpoC8mzv4NsGM0dCFCyR2XXGGU5esMPRZI3EJTKcgIVmNcc/s1600/church3detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZGWTAn895zC4kwzTCyvM9HA3ptHhyz79OMXS7K9Zvfn3yp_FcplzL0iGcWZgDK3Nw0eHx3cchBX0NOCV-SjNGMWEaUOHTpoC8mzv4NsGM0dCFCyR2XXGGU5esMPRZI3EJTKcgIVmNcc/s400/church3detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407767834165003730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VUogRU37K3waY3sVPS2thhDt5L8kh8tGe4O6KsjFYrl81AqtxgHLJ264pSShONNRdN6OaUn3f4TAgArW12H541v7_Pwm8StjxHd-IEFatKwK8mXhXQWdQEnKHPPwk7Y7j1fRyuJ0PDU/s1600/bell+church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VUogRU37K3waY3sVPS2thhDt5L8kh8tGe4O6KsjFYrl81AqtxgHLJ264pSShONNRdN6OaUn3f4TAgArW12H541v7_Pwm8StjxHd-IEFatKwK8mXhXQWdQEnKHPPwk7Y7j1fRyuJ0PDU/s400/bell+church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407798158684128098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hm0Z5eEATNG4TrEJGn2vG09fKqZiyKeOsyCWli_uMtwRcKbAG_xac_e8MnL_RfmygOYQB7SGtBxItz8w8Ay_eVnvAygXdepvZ4AZuc1wln2T-nE29wWYGi4VQ0NjINBAcF2IJamleQw/s1600/bell+tower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hm0Z5eEATNG4TrEJGn2vG09fKqZiyKeOsyCWli_uMtwRcKbAG_xac_e8MnL_RfmygOYQB7SGtBxItz8w8Ay_eVnvAygXdepvZ4AZuc1wln2T-nE29wWYGi4VQ0NjINBAcF2IJamleQw/s400/bell+tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407798168199911602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Deb, recognize this?! Not sure how the person got the picture you grabbed- I stood there for at least 15 minutes and there was NEVER not a stream of cars going by!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgRCe_Oc0AVpvBkXwdzFlFz3L-kwA5xrvW-oFjna_DoHea9Q7Oa-_7IcrF9K_UEpWjiKKZsg74uw2lWJkVyOKe9hirRdG0btxQozNLn5yRxxU2o0fzsbp5rk813gD4xu9AKBGfgiPxnU/s1600/deb's+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgRCe_Oc0AVpvBkXwdzFlFz3L-kwA5xrvW-oFjna_DoHea9Q7Oa-_7IcrF9K_UEpWjiKKZsg74uw2lWJkVyOKe9hirRdG0btxQozNLn5yRxxU2o0fzsbp5rk813gD4xu9AKBGfgiPxnU/s400/deb's+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801733767180226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">a few interesting things i've learned about the homes down here</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. don't be deceived by what you see on the outside...you have no idea what it's like on the inside. Apparently a lot of people, locals included, will restore the interior of their home but leave the exterior looking, shall i say, worn. That way one wouldn't know from the street they had money, etc. (I have no idea if that's the case with this home, it's just a picture I like!)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzatGNFCTvdt7Hfp0R_RMEA8XD3tuPXWKE6Pxo1lL_hwf3A_dtJODjJq7IcCa7MHOJHmp0ovedHAiR98dg502hak5KA914UMhU5w3HJzDKEwjwiKQRSTUCT9KPrudXtUCH4RZL0GAqoC8/s1600/for+rent.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzatGNFCTvdt7Hfp0R_RMEA8XD3tuPXWKE6Pxo1lL_hwf3A_dtJODjJq7IcCa7MHOJHmp0ovedHAiR98dg502hak5KA914UMhU5w3HJzDKEwjwiKQRSTUCT9KPrudXtUCH4RZL0GAqoC8/s400/for+rent.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801742040045010" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">2. you can have the facade of your home restored for free...all you have to do is pay for the materials!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCV0QHccRI7A87KuPV7DXvDiceg4coFvV5LBsPyXFhyn048f1POUQYRHUlPsR2udvGrlVi2SF8rqYdZUGJa87w-XZ5mONGkyD2IHjmw32qJpMVr1w-YtVhOXeyZbnHUfV7gkyrCyfgsU/s1600/red+door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCV0QHccRI7A87KuPV7DXvDiceg4coFvV5LBsPyXFhyn048f1POUQYRHUlPsR2udvGrlVi2SF8rqYdZUGJa87w-XZ5mONGkyD2IHjmw32qJpMVr1w-YtVhOXeyZbnHUfV7gkyrCyfgsU/s400/red+door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801753201958978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">just some stairs</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7rYFU5niNZV8McD_hEt7Cs7wPyTMOvsMPbGfoSuBJHakmm49vm8bRI9TgOdFJoyYsyTVHn3wjR_IQZe-j5LXCRmmxb8nG-FkahuGXa9Jtm2cI9vYyyMmFDUYKaFU13HSh6RrbKVIzVw/s1600/stairs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7rYFU5niNZV8McD_hEt7Cs7wPyTMOvsMPbGfoSuBJHakmm49vm8bRI9TgOdFJoyYsyTVHn3wjR_IQZe-j5LXCRmmxb8nG-FkahuGXa9Jtm2cI9vYyyMmFDUYKaFU13HSh6RrbKVIzVw/s400/stairs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801760551179970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Oh...I had to move rooms today (since I added on 3 more nights) and this room, if you can believe it, is even better than the first. I now have my own private rooftop balcony. Here's my view:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gN7SJnYFH2eRrp1TrNLfFeGXkaoCale0b3l1KiZWQ7fD96AU4U-drASlmFCX3U7xEEEjyHgmg9oC4nXvm7qmRRSYhUfqgvMy_riGGOkAsjTs247HysWwH0dOGOB8jXmvFTII7ZzwGcU/s1600/view+from+my+new+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gN7SJnYFH2eRrp1TrNLfFeGXkaoCale0b3l1KiZWQ7fD96AU4U-drASlmFCX3U7xEEEjyHgmg9oC4nXvm7qmRRSYhUfqgvMy_riGGOkAsjTs247HysWwH0dOGOB8jXmvFTII7ZzwGcU/s400/view+from+my+new+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407804919924442114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok, just a few more and I'll be done with this long post- not because I don't have more pictures, or more to say...but it's about that time to go get myself some guac and a cold cerveza!</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are the ONLY pictures I was able to take yesterday at Celestun...remember, my battery died :( (mom, if you actually click on the pictures with the birds it will blow up the picture and you'll be able to see them better)</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">We passed 2 small mayan towns/villages on the way. This is a typical Mayan home in Uman</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8l9n9qUFOLZUZ0vIDpcmmqUOO-4Q3L-8WP3V1G5C_Xs-BR1pgQLR8ElH1iLcXBm5keClia1vUmyGpE_hWLpKLMLM0OBaWOqGS2CNJd3ZQAmBVTUfIoVnep54NfAnuF35n3l96QNHzgM/s1600/mayan+home.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8l9n9qUFOLZUZ0vIDpcmmqUOO-4Q3L-8WP3V1G5C_Xs-BR1pgQLR8ElH1iLcXBm5keClia1vUmyGpE_hWLpKLMLM0OBaWOqGS2CNJd3ZQAmBVTUfIoVnep54NfAnuF35n3l96QNHzgM/s400/mayan+home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407809104093419426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and here are some white pelicans (they come from up my way and "winter" down here)- can you spot the solo flamingo?!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGrI7EVP-HSrlYqAXEwhkK8AFN6gO5rsUS234FjHQJNmufTLhZR-NK2CqY8L5c3Jn1rMeGuzbSKI86-DLAWfSbD1AoNcJQE8qHx5sDRb4-wOtYpZUVYRPTiZm8hRfbLNPGVIdMDJO8-o/s1600/white+pelicans+1+flamingo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGrI7EVP-HSrlYqAXEwhkK8AFN6gO5rsUS234FjHQJNmufTLhZR-NK2CqY8L5c3Jn1rMeGuzbSKI86-DLAWfSbD1AoNcJQE8qHx5sDRb4-wOtYpZUVYRPTiZm8hRfbLNPGVIdMDJO8-o/s400/white+pelicans+1+flamingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407809111133759074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and here is the largest grouping of flamingos we saw- you can't get very close because if they are frightened they can break their neck, and also, you don't want to disturb them as they need to feed 12 hours a day! Due to the recents storms there weren't too many to be seen...apparently some days you can see hundreds if not thousands- oh well...it was still cool, and i can now say i am a proud owner of a tacky pink flamingo (it will go perfectly next to "hutch" right Kimberly?)!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysnqA-uB5MmS_dW5gFtUCMNR0zvt2UnnxscK0PKrrShm8ibBb-KVRkhqTtT38NGQiivz9xOKpVd3R7ugaywiX18O-pzgLOAxaS5ak7KXgBN300xoHomCq97xwt4yvZZfjGv6b_3mgdZk/s1600/flamingos+single+file.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysnqA-uB5MmS_dW5gFtUCMNR0zvt2UnnxscK0PKrrShm8ibBb-KVRkhqTtT38NGQiivz9xOKpVd3R7ugaywiX18O-pzgLOAxaS5ak7KXgBN300xoHomCq97xwt4yvZZfjGv6b_3mgdZk/s400/flamingos+single+file.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407809123202245106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok, really, only a few more! these are just 3 random shots I took on my walk to get lunch this afternoon (which by the way, cost me a whopping $35pesos including tip):</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">confession- i thought this meant some sort of cuban cigar or something until i just translated it on my computer---I seriously need to learn my spanish! (you can stop laughing now)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNMh8ezhK4aYTXe0hyImg0zI2NiuuQKOyVhb3h0GupSO5wDYnAYlVNDAIbtDjZEmbvwfY2igK3tpxwuS3T3P857eV9dpALvPd0Ii7vFJ4KedPDCSzFdOXZgV7bfpb37A5lCIeiI8I0gE/s1600/cubetas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNMh8ezhK4aYTXe0hyImg0zI2NiuuQKOyVhb3h0GupSO5wDYnAYlVNDAIbtDjZEmbvwfY2igK3tpxwuS3T3P857eV9dpALvPd0Ii7vFJ4KedPDCSzFdOXZgV7bfpb37A5lCIeiI8I0gE/s400/cubetas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407814211845544210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">you've got mail</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd53xCX9Ha44Dbr5Eu9bTFZI2NSRCdfJH16xdlJ5j8SoffqU_zFESNauEqP9BS5SjfZz16wcy34vGkXeJT458OrhPmRR_MfE5FPVM54Qelo74tInaLRkKh33UTSCxkL4uSewW-yteGZcU/s1600/mail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd53xCX9Ha44Dbr5Eu9bTFZI2NSRCdfJH16xdlJ5j8SoffqU_zFESNauEqP9BS5SjfZz16wcy34vGkXeJT458OrhPmRR_MfE5FPVM54Qelo74tInaLRkKh33UTSCxkL4uSewW-yteGZcU/s400/mail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407814221340204898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">this intrigued me...I wish they had been open!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmts6rko0MqePfWwtYOJZEGcQGZu4uVEkn-1OrkYcPeVqNkdYkS9r0Jlw4fAG8CCEwTKaGsnhvWBfXoonYjNWMqm1NFhvdYuC0jjLqWKC7igOUDpjuznUYfMqCgHb3G0bcyE3zzkup4tY/s1600/lucha+libre.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmts6rko0MqePfWwtYOJZEGcQGZu4uVEkn-1OrkYcPeVqNkdYkS9r0Jlw4fAG8CCEwTKaGsnhvWBfXoonYjNWMqm1NFhvdYuC0jjLqWKC7igOUDpjuznUYfMqCgHb3G0bcyE3zzkup4tY/s400/lucha+libre.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407814226924241666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Alright, really, I'm done for now...but stay tuned for the next post about the piss whistler and her husband!</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-71480139987425370512009-11-24T11:48:00.000-08:002009-11-24T12:04:21.866-08:00We interupt this blog...<span style="font-family: verdana;">Just a quick non-Merida post because I just received an email from <a href="http://www.gregmortenson.com/">Greg Mortenson</a> letting me know his <a href="http://www.stonesintoschools.com/purchase-stones-into-schools/">new book</a> is being released on December 1st. If you know who Greg is and have already read <a href="http://www.threecupsoftea.com/">Three Cups of Tea</a> then you know what an amazing person he is and surely understand my excitement that he has put out another book. If you don't know who he is...you need to find out NOW by clicking the links above! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://becauseitalladdsup.blogspot.com/2008/06/penny-for-your-thoughts.html">Here's a post</a> ,from an old blog which I haven't updated in over a year (I'm thinking I need to pick it up again), that explains my personal connection with this.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*if you purchase the book via the link above a portion will go towards his organization.</span><br /><br /><br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-15956809768913146312009-11-23T19:04:00.000-08:002009-11-24T11:33:02.798-08:00Merida en Domingo!<span style="font-family:verdana;">Sunday in Merida. I purposely planned my trip here so that I would be staying over on a Sunday, and am I ever glad I did...Sunday is not to be missed here. I still can't get over the fact that these events are weekly...365 days a year! It's not like it's some special holiday so they are throwing a party downtown. They do this...<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkcYSMvSyLQ-A0XDOw10Gg-Y4MMHHXZ_-KSJHSTZ970W-PcbGbp1SrSCW7Svo9osux6RZWFU4LiqxT3HtUHBspIiFM_bsKhTB8H06xZh3ADgQHtMUy9P_KdA60rprbSgSkx4USSNq3yk/s1600/merida+en+domingo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkcYSMvSyLQ-A0XDOw10Gg-Y4MMHHXZ_-KSJHSTZ970W-PcbGbp1SrSCW7Svo9osux6RZWFU4LiqxT3HtUHBspIiFM_bsKhTB8H06xZh3ADgQHtMUy9P_KdA60rprbSgSkx4USSNq3yk/s400/merida+en+domingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407743813433177106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">every.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHydhjIgzw-wLCm9NO7Dfn_sa8aotEEiRkhXgmWz_n196H4hDtD2K5TLu3-NjNBxTFR-VfF9mT3Dm2FOZvM2azMpXL5MhXpnl736x_uUFCxUABUpQqAMjrTdVRwpjOT0hjve5svCUCbI/s1600/crowd+at+plaza.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHydhjIgzw-wLCm9NO7Dfn_sa8aotEEiRkhXgmWz_n196H4hDtD2K5TLu3-NjNBxTFR-VfF9mT3Dm2FOZvM2azMpXL5MhXpnl736x_uUFCxUABUpQqAMjrTdVRwpjOT0hjve5svCUCbI/s400/crowd+at+plaza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407745898694503442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">week.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWmw-fNdWwqkVr8SQJks4nWKMAZ4SVqFsAcyS300AuGewcE5DrL0MsstqYD7AmfehOb6er1FRVnuDT-ajVuxmfUya-kE_s57eJAATIOUinPMlie-zcduAkLd7QKYRrbF5CkH_Z3chsgY/s1600/dona+maria.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWmw-fNdWwqkVr8SQJks4nWKMAZ4SVqFsAcyS300AuGewcE5DrL0MsstqYD7AmfehOb6er1FRVnuDT-ajVuxmfUya-kE_s57eJAATIOUinPMlie-zcduAkLd7QKYRrbF5CkH_Z3chsgY/s400/dona+maria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407745890497939746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />I started my day with breakfast next door at Cafe Lucia where they had the tv tuned to what I imagine is the equivalent of our "Today" show. It was called Milenia, I think. My goodness their weather portion of the show takes a long time! It had to have been at least 15 minutes long...covering every area of Mexico! I'm horrible with my conversions (it was all in Celsius) but I'm pretty sure she was just saying "it's HOT" everywhere :) That, and I can tell you their weather lady is no Al Roaker!<br /><br />Then it was off for a stroll down Paseo de Montejo. This is a tree lined street north of downtown (where the Archological Museum is) which was the place to reside in the late 19th century. Wealthy plantation tried to outdo each other and because at that time there was more traffic via sea than across land much of the influence is European. Many of the homes have been restored<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePkn22H8hM4_syzZbzo-8Gq0q8HXd4HrNcB8Qi5W0pbHUOE5Ehnj1eaPD0Kf-nmhb8qeMJdPlcfBOU8i5EaOrdQuScxZq9QzGwVAvqGFnc_5sRLk0A2BlmOnpO-P9mViuOzHKTl2yFbY/s1600/paseo+graduation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePkn22H8hM4_syzZbzo-8Gq0q8HXd4HrNcB8Qi5W0pbHUOE5Ehnj1eaPD0Kf-nmhb8qeMJdPlcfBOU8i5EaOrdQuScxZq9QzGwVAvqGFnc_5sRLk0A2BlmOnpO-P9mViuOzHKTl2yFbY/s400/paseo+graduation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407743821819703570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">But many are still in need of renovation<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w0k7hcZGnUxSY-GI1AWwxp4f-F1MS8zR6IAPokUlBKDTW_TQgWyTettLXw-C0DQ_ygfgIFLgiRAgscLfowfSQtbYNuTV27IQXVuMInBW4nqttOZCiTuNnWlA28hueGg6u2Qwwto2JHo/s1600/paseo+under+renovation+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w0k7hcZGnUxSY-GI1AWwxp4f-F1MS8zR6IAPokUlBKDTW_TQgWyTettLXw-C0DQ_ygfgIFLgiRAgscLfowfSQtbYNuTV27IQXVuMInBW4nqttOZCiTuNnWlA28hueGg6u2Qwwto2JHo/s400/paseo+under+renovation+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407743831400516034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Sundays they close a large section to cars and you can rent bikes for the day and not have to worry about traffic. This is hugely popular with the locals because generally there is so much traffic in this city you would never want your children out riding.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWfRCe6bS2fP5WVYBrjBl_4dW8uzofH6iWdYilN-j99nRDQkNXrbob28DfModxMoivy6CLnjmXQkJ95T2Oit1AEHZ9AFEIFE5wUNXB4_oP1pgIOy4CVqSmkEAovHmEAS49J9wCKEVmKg/s1600/little+driver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWfRCe6bS2fP5WVYBrjBl_4dW8uzofH6iWdYilN-j99nRDQkNXrbob28DfModxMoivy6CLnjmXQkJ95T2Oit1AEHZ9AFEIFE5wUNXB4_oP1pgIOy4CVqSmkEAovHmEAS49J9wCKEVmKg/s400/little+driver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407745881911144162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Not only is the street blocked to traffic, but every block or so they have different activities set up, including...<br /><br />(very) loud music and water stations<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwyH1TtJfZ3S0801x94slc8LQGeZ_c4MZDCF3XTEiHqcj-nDCk-Dinxn_Z9U1ElroMuPVjGJR3IxCNXgt103slDQxIHEmAZdYWfjdvoAEO_FW-kgXwnO0lBkZnHoiXdLsbeb6NXJZRRE/s1600/rock+on.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwyH1TtJfZ3S0801x94slc8LQGeZ_c4MZDCF3XTEiHqcj-nDCk-Dinxn_Z9U1ElroMuPVjGJR3IxCNXgt103slDQxIHEmAZdYWfjdvoAEO_FW-kgXwnO0lBkZnHoiXdLsbeb6NXJZRRE/s400/rock+on.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407748401632172386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">chess</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDg0gu8yuP5I_FuxeCpELzVVIcdbJNTuA_t91awlYwPMPw3g4X4CHkWxD49M9nuJtq1iabELv6Hh696GArbVJV294DOwx1sdifb-kbfCB1Akzym6BwhK7dtZlRYqVgleUKWR6dbXHTgc/s1600/chess+anyone%3F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDg0gu8yuP5I_FuxeCpELzVVIcdbJNTuA_t91awlYwPMPw3g4X4CHkWxD49M9nuJtq1iabELv6Hh696GArbVJV294DOwx1sdifb-kbfCB1Akzym6BwhK7dtZlRYqVgleUKWR6dbXHTgc/s400/chess+anyone%3F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407748411811175090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">and numerous activities for the children- this mother and child were painting...i didn't even notice it when i took the picture but they are wearing matching outfits :)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8a4jXvygpC-fLvdMebt8Gh80UtcR-LE5mMGhukz834BEi0aesET3sLQSYVC9G7GypifSd7UBH55EhtVxuPYs5mDONe4O7KYmt2SS0ZqPva7nl9kqKbpBwCrwSi3mHJJUDI2OAGgc2o/s1600/twins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8a4jXvygpC-fLvdMebt8Gh80UtcR-LE5mMGhukz834BEi0aesET3sLQSYVC9G7GypifSd7UBH55EhtVxuPYs5mDONe4O7KYmt2SS0ZqPva7nl9kqKbpBwCrwSi3mHJJUDI2OAGgc2o/s400/twins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407748419011422754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">and it continued throughout the day into the evening. Anyone considering visiting Merida should definitely make their plans so as to stay over on a Sunday. One thing I keep forgetting to mention is that in the main plaza they have free wi-fi for the residents! My first day I was walking through and noticed nearly half of the people sitting on the benches had laptops and were typing away. They even have outlets so that you don't need to waste your battery! Could you imagine Seattle offering that to its citizens? It would be like walking through Westlake which currently is full of young hooligans, but instead everyone working on their computers!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are a few more shots from Sunday's festivities</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNC3nGuK1CPvmdvoqRmFbwNsXw4JmtHU88Aa-uTjYmJIHLPvSYSH5rAFo1_uKe4e2ODAY2-H8SuNCZWjdb5J2-PxzQ9c0CYp9jsYtEgzJp7tLFMRST1H8OwI9tzVZNyC_-vSMFalvSHc/s1600/balloons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNC3nGuK1CPvmdvoqRmFbwNsXw4JmtHU88Aa-uTjYmJIHLPvSYSH5rAFo1_uKe4e2ODAY2-H8SuNCZWjdb5J2-PxzQ9c0CYp9jsYtEgzJp7tLFMRST1H8OwI9tzVZNyC_-vSMFalvSHc/s400/balloons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407753412794347874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCNYKH5JqD03wlvgmcPJRFr3wSgIxM5-EH-3BTBhv4CMlN-i_RY7dPXjbh4Za5BPAZl25IGyvOGRXQ0u24l2j67qIrikq786w8CqyJ10683gzMVqggz5mnXuOP3OdTTt-7LSkJcR3qi8/s1600/plaza+from+above.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCNYKH5JqD03wlvgmcPJRFr3wSgIxM5-EH-3BTBhv4CMlN-i_RY7dPXjbh4Za5BPAZl25IGyvOGRXQ0u24l2j67qIrikq786w8CqyJ10683gzMVqggz5mnXuOP3OdTTt-7LSkJcR3qi8/s400/plaza+from+above.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407753438298287618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB-_ioAkliq9Pj8Bph-3gB7ZLW3S2w8fgKAKFWqV8QqPK78ukJ3MnOwjB2-QovZcFt2U12gK_627R1HONRD7SAr7cEQNS9RipeHy_mx09gOUMs090rh0SwaKS5s4cNsuX5B1JLo1c3mM/s1600/skirt+twirl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB-_ioAkliq9Pj8Bph-3gB7ZLW3S2w8fgKAKFWqV8QqPK78ukJ3MnOwjB2-QovZcFt2U12gK_627R1HONRD7SAr7cEQNS9RipeHy_mx09gOUMs090rh0SwaKS5s4cNsuX5B1JLo1c3mM/s400/skirt+twirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407745868352141618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNOoYtEaum-O0dC5CNsl72Ky3dP2kt7_2wkTXyf_PIGWuZPI-NzQLL0naeu6J3xpNWVot2_sGiuIKr3x9Lf95cWXgdiJfgd4geZ-x3ZVFNjTg0a9LdqwiJM8CsvC1bbK80FQ5AKjQHSw/s1600/cathedral+at+night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNOoYtEaum-O0dC5CNsl72Ky3dP2kt7_2wkTXyf_PIGWuZPI-NzQLL0naeu6J3xpNWVot2_sGiuIKr3x9Lf95cWXgdiJfgd4geZ-x3ZVFNjTg0a9LdqwiJM8CsvC1bbK80FQ5AKjQHSw/s400/cathedral+at+night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407753425317357282" border="0" /></a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-32329885657674366102009-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:002009-11-24T15:29:43.172-08:00It's a small world after all, it's a small world....<span style="font-family:verdana;">Indeed it is! Just a quick post before I'm off to dinner with some friends I met yesterday.<br /><br />Small world case in point #1:<br />Sitting by myself eating dinner last night and ask the waiter how much the horse drawn carriages are...he doesn't understand me and an American couple at the next table answer my question. They then ask if they can join me. Who am I to say no?!<br /><br />We get to talking and I find out they came down here for the first time ever about a year and a half ago and on that very trip bought a home...they did not come with that intention! They are renovating and have only been living here full time for the past 2 months. As our conversation continued I mentioned that I am headed to Isla Mujeres after my time in Merida and they say, "Oh, we have some friends who live on Isla Mujeres." Seriously, that is all they had said, and I said "Their names don't happen to be Bob & Wayne do they?" Why I said this I have no idea...I mean really, what are the chances? (side note: the first time I was in Isla, Erik and I rented Bob & Wayne's place for a week). Wouldn't ya know...sure enough their friends on Isla ARE Bob and Wayne! We continued to talk a bit more and they invited me to their house tonight for a few drinks and then out to dinner at a place they highly recommend. Again, how could I say no? Now, mind you, I am supposed to leave tomorrow for Isla...on my walk back to my room last night after dinner I got to thinking...Isla can wait...I really love it here in Merida and feel like I have barely even scratched the surface so...I promptly walked into the office and asked if I could extend my stay here through Friday. So there you have it...I will be in Merida for Thanksgiving!<br /><br />Small World case in point #2:<br />Today I went to <a href="http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/celestun">Celestun</a> (my camera battery died about 5 pictures in!). I arranged the day trip through my hotel and it turns out it was just me and one other person. A Mexican woman named Elizabeth from Mexico City. It's about an hour drive, and thankfully she spoke very good English...we got to talking and when I said I lived in Seattle she said "Oh, Microsoft! I work for them." Ok, really? This is too crazy. For those of you who don't know...I work for the Gates Foundation...essentially this woman and I work for the same person! Not only that, but she's been to Seattle (last February of all things- poor girl- what a miserable time to be there, and last February especially), stayed in Bellevue, etc. We exchanged emails as she took pictures since I couldn't, and she may be back in Seattle for a conference this winter.<br /><br />I'll post more pictures and stories tomorrow, but I'll leave you with this one...Ha!<br />don't ask<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxKfK0dgIlEENe5VoEqdMYFKTtP-SsPEIeFPfPnLgNik4hEzW07ZVK8ZD_NZShcuTxD66OOmulfySr4BwqxspHMSYXiQ7WeOaGJvETrZPoNSSa8Jq7Z6_GgmTFq2DsOC3__i6YAsXl0U/s1600/fundraiser+for+the+church%3F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxKfK0dgIlEENe5VoEqdMYFKTtP-SsPEIeFPfPnLgNik4hEzW07ZVK8ZD_NZShcuTxD66OOmulfySr4BwqxspHMSYXiQ7WeOaGJvETrZPoNSSa8Jq7Z6_GgmTFq2DsOC3__i6YAsXl0U/s400/fundraiser+for+the+church%3F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407447306041522706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-55014782750640174462009-11-21T20:20:00.000-08:002009-11-21T20:41:18.099-08:00A Tale of Two Cities<span style="font-family:verdana;">Merida: a place so hot and humid (although I realize this is the cool season and summer's here are nearly unbearable) I couldn't imagine having to march for over 2 hours in<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIoYWn8ouchSt_kstv4qaCBjxYMZOAR0iSv2usn5wX9vol3zzdjwzICJX9JnaRXl3Ghyphenhyphent44enw_IWFrVVAYUOAJI74_biT1nbJV95EwSXXLoeET2tYJzSndN37PE5tBYp82MOO-OK3n4/s1600/parade+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIoYWn8ouchSt_kstv4qaCBjxYMZOAR0iSv2usn5wX9vol3zzdjwzICJX9JnaRXl3Ghyphenhyphent44enw_IWFrVVAYUOAJI74_biT1nbJV95EwSXXLoeET2tYJzSndN37PE5tBYp82MOO-OK3n4/s400/parade+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406779914301479810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">or...</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcsHjH2g6lzSBYuGl0TjErN055nsTm6ol8js5clcleQ8i32T8WDOuJ6L8VOHyj3GttYmie4CgAK3t9YdG0qU6fov36Bu5fK_cef-EPfSjC5wwcrPCw2bcW9OMpnyu9-X1Zpz8wlVGlJ0/s1600/marching.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcsHjH2g6lzSBYuGl0TjErN055nsTm6ol8js5clcleQ8i32T8WDOuJ6L8VOHyj3GttYmie4CgAK3t9YdG0qU6fov36Bu5fK_cef-EPfSjC5wwcrPCw2bcW9OMpnyu9-X1Zpz8wlVGlJ0/s400/marching.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406779921757842898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Seattle: a place where it's so gray and rainy ALL of the time, we wouldn't imagine it shutting down the city! Yes my friends, it did downpour for a good 30 minutes or more...now it's just hot and muggy, but the usual Saturday night festivities are, as one local expat said - dead. More than half the stalls at the Noche Mexicana were empty and only a handful of people milling around. As for the "Heart of Merida" festival in the main square, again, by the sounds of what it normally is...it was dead.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">But I suppose I can't blame them..we may have rain all of the time, but it tends to just be constant, not a torrential downpour as it is here - not to mention I didn't exactly think to pack an umbrella!<br /><br />Buenas noches todas~<br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-55005725031559019762009-11-21T16:04:00.000-08:002009-11-21T16:25:05.896-08:00It's raining, it's pouring...<span style="font-family:verdana;">And to think, the skies today were as clear as...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bQIpeD61kbfujTeDJsTko6wP5Vv8TKRnoqYD94r9dinOy7LxsjFvVQUxnpWPKLX2Cz0Ge7r_eJAmBX1OmpTAZAQYIQ50yR8DmZ8qDKdU_Og3HMNZYQJxwyWi5CsHdtOpz8Vceum38Z0/s1600/mexican+flag+and+cathedral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bQIpeD61kbfujTeDJsTko6wP5Vv8TKRnoqYD94r9dinOy7LxsjFvVQUxnpWPKLX2Cz0Ge7r_eJAmBX1OmpTAZAQYIQ50yR8DmZ8qDKdU_Og3HMNZYQJxwyWi5CsHdtOpz8Vceum38Z0/s400/mexican+flag+and+cathedral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406716381856094722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">With any luck it will stop in the next hour or so since tonight is <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> night to be out in Merida...they close the streets, vendors set up shop, dancing, etc. (and I refuse to believe what weather.com is predicting for Isla in the next ten days!) Well, at least this will force me to relax and just read- I haven't brought out my book once since being here.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I splurged today and bought myself 2 purses. Every time I'm in Mexico I say I'm going to buy a leather purse, well, no time like the present!<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpnyGfmNSKrMcCSQsujEu7H6NDx49lXaTQuoERJpT3rU6XCEgEJTeWlxTlGxg6aR3DGdg4G9d3hWIo2hYxWw-SWu8DK7ATQifevEjdAkKrrz4yW34SO1h9w2pg_WZP7fjhuhrB0rNHlg/s1600/leather+purse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpnyGfmNSKrMcCSQsujEu7H6NDx49lXaTQuoERJpT3rU6XCEgEJTeWlxTlGxg6aR3DGdg4G9d3hWIo2hYxWw-SWu8DK7ATQifevEjdAkKrrz4yW34SO1h9w2pg_WZP7fjhuhrB0rNHlg/s400/leather+purse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406716367999564578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ElajfKDfJ6z1nZs0A5o_DUwcceXc-3RaTpeEs-WlKG8gE1OLmZTG5H9TvVuAOkp-kYf67N52N1oVTTB8EQVesZ-dwatIIjd-BhTmPvswFXscW1pHeHMAuPD9aBkkgsrmM6slkLUaq2k/s1600/wool+purse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ElajfKDfJ6z1nZs0A5o_DUwcceXc-3RaTpeEs-WlKG8gE1OLmZTG5H9TvVuAOkp-kYf67N52N1oVTTB8EQVesZ-dwatIIjd-BhTmPvswFXscW1pHeHMAuPD9aBkkgsrmM6slkLUaq2k/s400/wool+purse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406716372308472290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-45021287268214571952009-11-21T10:52:00.000-08:002009-11-21T15:42:27.434-08:00I should have known better<span style="font-family:verdana;">So, I stayed in Merida yesterday because of the parade. The parade, which more than one person told me, began at 1pm. Any of you who've spent any time down here know where I'm going with this...1pm shows up...is there a parade? Not anywhere I can see, and no one seems to have any idea what I'm talking about! But that's ok...I spent the morning, before 1pm just wandering around- again with no real destination in sight. Ok, perhaps I'm just saying that to make myself feel better. Have I mentioned I'm directionally challenged? I headed to the centro and then towards what i <span style="font-style: italic;">thought</span> was the direction of the zoo on calle 59. After 20 blocks or so I realized I was NOT going the right direction, but in all honesty it didn't really matter. I wasn't really even wanting to go to the zoo, just figured there would be things along the way. The thing about Merida though is...there is something EVERYWHERE. You can't walk more than a block without looking up and seeing a church, a park, or just amazing architecture.<br /><br />I've been struggling since arriving to come up with a way to describe this place. I'm not sure I've found the right word yet...it's clean, it's friendly, it's safe, it's beautiful...but those are all generic terms that could be almost anywhere. I could say it's "magical" but that seems a bit cliche...and not really my persona. I guess the word comfortable, as simple as it is, will have to do for now. Merida is comfortable. Comfortable as in a favorite pair of jeans and warm sweater curled up in front of the fireplace type of comfortable. Ok, weird analogy, I know. Comparing a sweltering hot major city with winter clothing! Like I said, I'm struggling with the right word...it will come to me though, I'm sure...it may just not be anytime soon! I guess the fact that I was many many blocks out of the center of town, no other gringos in sight, and I felt right at home kind of sums it up. I know people say all the time "I could live here" when talking about a vacation local...but there's something about Merida...it's not the beach, or the markets, it's just the vibe...something that really does make me honestly say "I could live here" (don't worry mom, won't happen anytime soon!). Once again on my walk I took many pictures (I tried downloading them to flickr or photobucket so that I could just post a link to the ones I don't put here since there are so many, but for some reason it wasn't working...I'm thinking it's the slow internet connection). So, here a a few (ok, probably more than a few) of my favorite shots from my morning walk yesterday...in no particular order.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmif0nxAE1-F0HnNYuJVdMBV4ztzZ3XjG_zebf-yoXqtLqF1mMKJZq3PgbeRo0-1Z_xyCPva0M_CpKb0j6lfKPb7cxK_vJLEJA82KpFuP_d-mZeh7JRRu2RzjG4McHlGwjgsHyttI5AXQ/s1600/mickeymouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmif0nxAE1-F0HnNYuJVdMBV4ztzZ3XjG_zebf-yoXqtLqF1mMKJZq3PgbeRo0-1Z_xyCPva0M_CpKb0j6lfKPb7cxK_vJLEJA82KpFuP_d-mZeh7JRRu2RzjG4McHlGwjgsHyttI5AXQ/s400/mickeymouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406641708671218274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1cUz8w8k535SLU9RPSiT2NU2mwjXm_VQgq8YfOIvUAY_WcE3DuCZD5Us1vNfy4RNAUjqf8fPmpBJtTBnuLvS4LWKISIcdly7KZ3D0OrP5OfEnORTorQhyn0azR81f5JhsS3O_oq6cNs/s1600/hotrod.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1cUz8w8k535SLU9RPSiT2NU2mwjXm_VQgq8YfOIvUAY_WcE3DuCZD5Us1vNfy4RNAUjqf8fPmpBJtTBnuLvS4LWKISIcdly7KZ3D0OrP5OfEnORTorQhyn0azR81f5JhsS3O_oq6cNs/s400/hotrod.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406641707350640594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdddnYzJ-5G8diM65Bk-I8TkZ-REUwHfVSH4FOQjUWW4H_eolbewjqZ_tu5Fr_aXajimCkc2KOOfzsOYDyfIzt7gBmLYvd0HHT3nOjg9CxDTAPsDnUY9QGd2SBYkvE4d7M5IojlAiqUQ/s1600/church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdddnYzJ-5G8diM65Bk-I8TkZ-REUwHfVSH4FOQjUWW4H_eolbewjqZ_tu5Fr_aXajimCkc2KOOfzsOYDyfIzt7gBmLYvd0HHT3nOjg9CxDTAPsDnUY9QGd2SBYkvE4d7M5IojlAiqUQ/s400/church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406641695635959090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of my favorites - maybe because I'm from seattle :)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH58AKivBAR5BCMl6MldEF9Y1TALfMbwCQBapcqUOH4RRpIc6woh63wQHAG5hP-urg6sxvDOVdoHsinKaHikyPnDAbt8SKQrhyphenhyphenl9WrYRxtyVsN5VAohAtU1CgikpnEBoPyqJOu4-vvS0/s1600/cafenoa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH58AKivBAR5BCMl6MldEF9Y1TALfMbwCQBapcqUOH4RRpIc6woh63wQHAG5hP-urg6sxvDOVdoHsinKaHikyPnDAbt8SKQrhyphenhyphenl9WrYRxtyVsN5VAohAtU1CgikpnEBoPyqJOu4-vvS0/s400/cafenoa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406641693984514562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">electricity meter</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKYaIzTpiDAUskpcbIeB1JGV9uinc0XStPo9VMWZolPUUFu6bUHFcfWXjvbaPEU0OyxtyCt_Zq2YXwvPAy5QiSLBN7rOcMoVABDmaoA4JNVqIoM_vr85rb1033jkubsIUABuY9PPU6D0/s1600/water+meter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKYaIzTpiDAUskpcbIeB1JGV9uinc0XStPo9VMWZolPUUFu6bUHFcfWXjvbaPEU0OyxtyCt_Zq2YXwvPAy5QiSLBN7rOcMoVABDmaoA4JNVqIoM_vr85rb1033jkubsIUABuY9PPU6D0/s400/water+meter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406643282459065106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">"The Foam" If anyone can tell me why that might be on a building, I'd love to know...a few of the street corners around here have these inset like this...some say "la palma" or "jaguar" etc. Perhaps maybe it once housed a soap factory?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVve_qbf81Qeq5vB_yKwPrOJAirQGOx0uGdR0XA6hdyV50SF-yzjy-IS6v81e9raBkJnjTQOHdvahQCdmzfOryq-svAULSiUb4UyBKfUfRqZP3O369nYgV57XGTyB6Mw9PNTJHeEHP8hw/s1600/the+foam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVve_qbf81Qeq5vB_yKwPrOJAirQGOx0uGdR0XA6hdyV50SF-yzjy-IS6v81e9raBkJnjTQOHdvahQCdmzfOryq-svAULSiUb4UyBKfUfRqZP3O369nYgV57XGTyB6Mw9PNTJHeEHP8hw/s400/the+foam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406643284201317154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, that is a tree growing out of the cement!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65vOXPv2HWILileEYOrIkF6ujBJnco45hKOallWzHyXkF35yCIU4Z6pvVPPFXH_l6hDBT7ZbAjf30mvSng81aeCdxvggZOsjjoinpWzBw7hIKrfNV7GS86m-gU01s_vUlzoKt9P6sX80/s1600/tree+growing+on+roof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65vOXPv2HWILileEYOrIkF6ujBJnco45hKOallWzHyXkF35yCIU4Z6pvVPPFXH_l6hDBT7ZbAjf30mvSng81aeCdxvggZOsjjoinpWzBw7hIKrfNV7GS86m-gU01s_vUlzoKt9P6sX80/s400/tree+growing+on+roof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406647540860797394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I love the old beat up VW bus against the building</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqWGNobjDA2iIf7QQVFkZ-XRV5i9T4LV-AHQlUb3VdmJrY1hg9xF3ob7z-sY2IbMcLM7OAUvW_67VGOcRFUQXBryD_cZGWOIejcZHkULPNTsyze6mkrxZCMxjQmm-AJnjdT3x8OJENZE/s1600/vw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqWGNobjDA2iIf7QQVFkZ-XRV5i9T4LV-AHQlUb3VdmJrY1hg9xF3ob7z-sY2IbMcLM7OAUvW_67VGOcRFUQXBryD_cZGWOIejcZHkULPNTsyze6mkrxZCMxjQmm-AJnjdT3x8OJENZE/s400/vw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406647534032609010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwGuvhMd1IybzF5IpwY06ZEMHp2jriKxO0O7_cdN_iFs2awev8AfTI1_ogywIur0RhzKIjvbB6hn2vcYRD4HoQ1jztm6xa_Ycde1BS71O-fl3BxNfZXNTx8QQS_kbRPKe5Uh8ahs3E0/s1600/abandoned+home.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwGuvhMd1IybzF5IpwY06ZEMHp2jriKxO0O7_cdN_iFs2awev8AfTI1_ogywIur0RhzKIjvbB6hn2vcYRD4HoQ1jztm6xa_Ycde1BS71O-fl3BxNfZXNTx8QQS_kbRPKe5Uh8ahs3E0/s400/abandoned+home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406647516615491026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qkvAK2x9Ls4ve8s_Sn19HARxYIz-jVt6IEjiZ9bPHFcfh3ZO9VEEw38kzG-BQ429Q5WTMWIoCd9yLhpi84aYSchPXE6eZRP64LgNq-8W_eBmJrMpelfEhCcTl5FqhUGcKDbqJsZhM7M/s1600/calle+59+shops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qkvAK2x9Ls4ve8s_Sn19HARxYIz-jVt6IEjiZ9bPHFcfh3ZO9VEEw38kzG-BQ429Q5WTMWIoCd9yLhpi84aYSchPXE6eZRP64LgNq-8W_eBmJrMpelfEhCcTl5FqhUGcKDbqJsZhM7M/s400/calle+59+shops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406647525013008498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">See what I mean? Everywhere you turn there's a church (in the distance)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFGY4ZoBEKhvUgn29cBL-rN-6v3NEMZgzWiuKcesjBF1sByrvdUIA5jQDKOM7rGxPo308YW4zeYyv90i7Z_HZd1CTTQ1zlhIJ8lMSSdQQIyqLe_tyQIE6tti1ZZaFVLPy9fPzYCWrjaM/s1600/church+in+distance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFGY4ZoBEKhvUgn29cBL-rN-6v3NEMZgzWiuKcesjBF1sByrvdUIA5jQDKOM7rGxPo308YW4zeYyv90i7Z_HZd1CTTQ1zlhIJ8lMSSdQQIyqLe_tyQIE6tti1ZZaFVLPy9fPzYCWrjaM/s400/church+in+distance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406647529480804962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok...enough pictures for one post. I'm been sitting by the pool posting this alternating between downloading photos and jumping in the pool to cool off. Now I'm off to get lunch...tacos...at a place the Pope ate no less!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I suppose I should finish off yesterday first. I came home after my walk...got some food and margaritas with a couple from Vancouver, BC, and then took a little siesta...about 5:30pm all of the sudden I heard ear piercing drumming...wait, could it be? Yes, the parade had finally arrived! I grabbed my camera and headed to the street corner. Sorry, no pictures to post - it was dark (but with HUGE spotlights lining the street) and none of my pictures really turned out. It was a parade of schools (there must be hundreds down here)- some marching bands, some cheerleading, some in traditional costume...I finally gave in after an hour...but could still here them from my room at 8:00pm...that was one long parade! After coming in from the parade I laid down and thought I was going to die. Mind you, I have NEVER gotten sick in Mexico...I've lived in Belize, traveled to Guatemala and been to Mexico many times and have never gotten sick. Well, I can't say that anymore. I had the chills - turned off my fans in the room and had the covers on and was still cold. My stomach felt like it was going to explode. I'll save you the unpleasantries, but let's just say about an hour later I felt like new again! Phew, at least it was temporary.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdddnYzJ-5G8diM65Bk-I8TkZ-REUwHfVSH4FOQjUWW4H_eolbewjqZ_tu5Fr_aXajimCkc2KOOfzsOYDyfIzt7gBmLYvd0HHT3nOjg9CxDTAPsDnUY9QGd2SBYkvE4d7M5IojlAiqUQ/s1600/church.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-25955455563873702572009-11-20T09:13:00.000-08:002009-11-20T09:22:23.466-08:00The best laid plans...<span style="font-family:verdana;">...are no plans at all! I had intended to go to Progresso today (it's a 50 minute/13 peso bus ride. that's right, $1!) - see the beach, the pier, and just walk around this port city, but I have now had 5 locals tell me not to go today because it is Revolution Day in Mexico and there is going to be a parade. Alas, Progresso will have to wait- I'm always up for a parade. I'm beginning to think I could be in Merida for a month and still not even come close to experiencing everything it has to offer.<br /><br />I'm going to save my pictures of the cathedral for another post, as I didn't go inside yesterday so I'll post them all when I do.<br /><br />Last night I went to Poncho's...a bar recommended by Tom, the owner of Luz. He said it was touristy, but good. And their happy hour from 6-8 is 2 for 1- very common down here. It doesn't matter if you just want one drink, you order your margarita and 2 are placed in front of you! :) I got there before Phil and Nancy- the couple I met from Toronto, and ordered myself a mojito, uhh...2 mojitos! I figured I better get some food in me and the first thing on the menu was table side prepared guacamole. Anyone who knows me, knows I can't pass up guacamole...but it said 120pesos which seemed extremely high to me for guac. I asked the bartender if it was grande and he said "not so much, one can have" Still, it was more expensive than any food I'd yet had, and it was just guac, but oh well, I figured it could be my dinner. And dinner it was! This picture doesn't do it justice but...<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2hHaS2YD2DeIrtT1ei-f3DXXeo6vhO5eRpbxlzfy5o0-bwmhIPKBhThN1Za2K-kK8yq2MafeyRFjIt3lX5WABSjFNXK_EXCkCMZo2yyRz9Y53MULYoWEXxK1mnx9WSGE0m4nJC3Q03w/s1600/tableside+guac.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2hHaS2YD2DeIrtT1ei-f3DXXeo6vhO5eRpbxlzfy5o0-bwmhIPKBhThN1Za2K-kK8yq2MafeyRFjIt3lX5WABSjFNXK_EXCkCMZo2yyRz9Y53MULYoWEXxK1mnx9WSGE0m4nJC3Q03w/s320/tableside+guac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406221284589242290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">notice the size of that mortar compared to his hands...it's HUGE. There were 2 entire avocados in it</span>...<span style="font-family:verdana;">and yes, I did eat it all, thank you very much! Ok, well, Nancy helped a bit.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UhlWWimg5GzHu5w2LVGaeMrS58LnvvFmHn-apkaD18L2942OFoS1n3Q2StQV3Y8QTzMXrttuj5Qcbu5iubCZjJUAlyADxjKnWOdOyoSUN_hHS9NW-e0fFaR7Emzm6FMhcU2QOW5DjtU/s1600/guac$$.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UhlWWimg5GzHu5w2LVGaeMrS58LnvvFmHn-apkaD18L2942OFoS1n3Q2StQV3Y8QTzMXrttuj5Qcbu5iubCZjJUAlyADxjKnWOdOyoSUN_hHS9NW-e0fFaR7Emzm6FMhcU2QOW5DjtU/s320/guac$$.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406222175979052770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Next it was back to the hotel to grab a long sleeve shirt- the evenings are bit cool here- and across the street Santa Lucia Park for the open air concert featuring Yucatecan dress, dance, music, and folklore. There is some sort of cultural event like this EVERY night of the week around town. Every night...in a different location. free. And it's not something to draw the tourists. This goes on all year long. Could you imagine if Seattle did something li</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"> ke that? I suppose it says something about our "culture" sadly. (side note: i just looked up and realized I'm sitting right beside an avocado tree- i'm thinking i could live here...the internet is great...Marty, think anyone would notice if i didn't come back and just worked from here?!)</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Anyways, back to the evening festivities. Once again, my pictures don't do it justice, especially since it was dark, but look at the crowd...there had to have been at least 200 people there</span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FHz_tYLcfEBK4Fj4dZINUMWh6-CYsTg34HCCLicntGbu-9kvoRMEmk0qZ4sTmPKoQasUNowO7C00V1sXS7rU60H4cLCApCiVmkxaBrctj0OXYAPNv9CKYyxehOoaJm6_u2jWutaK0-Q/s1600/large+crowd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FHz_tYLcfEBK4Fj4dZINUMWh6-CYsTg34HCCLicntGbu-9kvoRMEmk0qZ4sTmPKoQasUNowO7C00V1sXS7rU60H4cLCApCiVmkxaBrctj0OXYAPNv9CKYyxehOoaJm6_u2jWutaK0-Q/s320/large+crowd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406225684436266162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Apparently you want to get there early to get a seat on the bleachers they set up or the folding chairs. I'm not sure if this will work or not, but i shot a little video of the dancing- again, it's poor quality, but should give you an idea of what it was like (and you'll notice i was stuck sitting behind a huge tree...i now know to show up earlier for tonight's event at the university!)</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">(video was to go here...taking too long to upload- will try when i return home)<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">At the end of the festivities I headed over to where they were selling cd's - I have absolutely no idea what kind of music I purchased, but I bought 5 cds and I'm assuming they are similar to what was played that evening! I struck up a conversation with a young man named Pedro who goes to the University here. It was an interesting conversation as he wanted to know why so many Americans are "afraid" when they come here...why they fear the food, the people, making eye contact with the locals. Thankfully Pedro spoke fairly good English as I would not have been able to carry on this conversation in Spanish! It was a sad commentary on American tourists, that's for sure. ( I could go on right here with a long commentary on things I've observed, things about tourists, etc. but I think I'll save all of that for when I return and have digested everything...right now I just want to take it all in...that, and keep my posts fairly light hearted for anyone reading).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've been sleeping like a baby since getting here (they actually have comfortable beds at the hotel!) and haven't rolled out of bed before 7:30am yet! I'm thinking Sunday will be my get up early day to get pictures in the "good light" and see the city as it rises (I did learn a thing or two from dating a photographer for 7 years ;). (I'm beginning to think the video thing won't work as it's been over 15 minutes and it's still loading).<br /><br />Went next door this morning to Cafe Lucia for breakfast. REAL coffee with steamed milk! Again, the obligatory food photo:</span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAmzNyjYUcovWYRAjFO-Rz5VsmGHFj6TnlcUNAOny6E0uwphECWAx2Sm6dMmFXubjRwO5zvuyQykX2WP81tfgPJrtX-ReeAeiI3XPDQuRFNrPamwsMHjue0Rna1oayHUw9JSsTRkjydY/s1600/breakfast+mutelanos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAmzNyjYUcovWYRAjFO-Rz5VsmGHFj6TnlcUNAOny6E0uwphECWAx2Sm6dMmFXubjRwO5zvuyQykX2WP81tfgPJrtX-ReeAeiI3XPDQuRFNrPamwsMHjue0Rna1oayHUw9JSsTRkjydY/s320/breakfast+mutelanos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406232428485325650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">note the 4, yes FOUR croissants, plus 3 pieces of toast, coffee, orange juice and huevos mutelenos...all for 95 pesos...have I mentioned that I think I could live here?! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Off to explore more before the parade...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaL9eBT_x8IA1CdscaDqdPaNPd4qMF4k8Jj8qAIcLr0cgVX52_WwRNcauJH4AbqxEU96E_oJh-BgiIar1lYlkoT6yUEIWVdAgtaR3XEp4qkRviqT_aMKv5IJOfpfZWEpuHP-K1dlgwUg/s1600/street+corner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaL9eBT_x8IA1CdscaDqdPaNPd4qMF4k8Jj8qAIcLr0cgVX52_WwRNcauJH4AbqxEU96E_oJh-BgiIar1lYlkoT6yUEIWVdAgtaR3XEp4qkRviqT_aMKv5IJOfpfZWEpuHP-K1dlgwUg/s320/street+corner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406235787286123330" border="0" /></a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-85976562591684169862009-11-19T14:33:00.000-08:002009-11-19T15:52:14.317-08:00Exploring...(finally, some pictures)<span style="font-family:verdana;">Disclaimer: This post is going to have quite a few photos, none of which actually do this beautiful city any justice, but they probably say a lot about my photography skills :)<br /><br />First things first. Here are a few shots of my hotel:<br />My room- first door:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BhqanfD82Gipx3dc7jUwkZBwvYXOgdXZz3xklvVBc19vZyJcZC0lsJouF8WG_jG30gaK9umgDg2do_HHaHZljQ_pZehcZ9w2SRYSc9PUMNl6HIhwD-wXWXxj2CdxVPm3pxlJsEmhSJc/s1600/my+door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BhqanfD82Gipx3dc7jUwkZBwvYXOgdXZz3xklvVBc19vZyJcZC0lsJouF8WG_jG30gaK9umgDg2do_HHaHZljQ_pZehcZ9w2SRYSc9PUMNl6HIhwD-wXWXxj2CdxVPm3pxlJsEmhSJc/s320/my+door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405955304745561410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">my bedroom:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRmy_9rM2BFStWHo576we_G0SRPEy6QUi4nBZyZYrw_0Tx4_7mL-7aTc2J5OceJqwdHN_6-Tvw_WwX1ea8w_sgLHNbLVzPPmFtykSJoEygwOAtGZ_AOSEWDT6NtQWuVdA_VdIAwCQn2o/s1600/bedroom2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRmy_9rM2BFStWHo576we_G0SRPEy6QUi4nBZyZYrw_0Tx4_7mL-7aTc2J5OceJqwdHN_6-Tvw_WwX1ea8w_sgLHNbLVzPPmFtykSJoEygwOAtGZ_AOSEWDT6NtQWuVdA_VdIAwCQn2o/s320/bedroom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405955718296026162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWemo-OeufdwtXJApA-3oCRAnIS7NC1y0uh7EOFerQcyI2fkoTn9cjQhETIA0qgRCQPj0xMqiZDqNSXK4uWS5msbxH_ZOy0yPNcej_dIErPZqJPgtpYtpbbSRmms_rceonWskmlv9E2w/s1600/bedroom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWemo-OeufdwtXJApA-3oCRAnIS7NC1y0uh7EOFerQcyI2fkoTn9cjQhETIA0qgRCQPj0xMqiZDqNSXK4uWS5msbxH_ZOy0yPNcej_dIErPZqJPgtpYtpbbSRmms_rceonWskmlv9E2w/s320/bedroom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405956612032158882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y31kEb6CAZ8Q95Bms8rmgVQVBlaSXh4E6hEw0-MYHXO17F1qk8eLYqo731sHoXRAPz3e1kyLibZmZk6U5K411In_b63z81SAmfBzNVSMNVoWo7UU0aWyE6neFopAfR-AQXNJPh-_y5Q/s1600/bathroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y31kEb6CAZ8Q95Bms8rmgVQVBlaSXh4E6hEw0-MYHXO17F1qk8eLYqo731sHoXRAPz3e1kyLibZmZk6U5K411In_b63z81SAmfBzNVSMNVoWo7UU0aWyE6neFopAfR-AQXNJPh-_y5Q/s320/bathroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405955927135899490" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">and the pool, just down the hall from my room:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtX-GrFNIjZvmr3W933TwYsmeKGTgwY7lKRtExguHgMbgwVYiHe87akCa26AWXRNJ937FUVbcBUSGuGTS_xn4aHWhDoJ-bm2VvjR88JEXIybV6LFpG0Ps59hfZoIz0MeXpGsfPU6BXOM/s1600/pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtX-GrFNIjZvmr3W933TwYsmeKGTgwY7lKRtExguHgMbgwVYiHe87akCa26AWXRNJ937FUVbcBUSGuGTS_xn4aHWhDoJ-bm2VvjR88JEXIybV6LFpG0Ps59hfZoIz0MeXpGsfPU6BXOM/s320/pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405957022196071010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">bananas anyone?</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDPXUKh-sQYhJ1Mqap0VSn0CBkzT_jmV7OWxrFLbtxYoVl7V8EmLkgC2eu-Lh8XqeTONnnfyXBC70L7tRkSM7BTa5sFoyJYp8zW2X-x1vZCGtTDJ0fEiaec4gDLx1yDnTFvaygD8C3V4/s1600/bananas2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDPXUKh-sQYhJ1Mqap0VSn0CBkzT_jmV7OWxrFLbtxYoVl7V8EmLkgC2eu-Lh8XqeTONnnfyXBC70L7tRkSM7BTa5sFoyJYp8zW2X-x1vZCGtTDJ0fEiaec4gDLx1yDnTFvaygD8C3V4/s320/bananas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405957019684590290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">I headed out this morning with no plan other than to get coffee and breakfast</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgiTvJpoB2Xa1VMJD7aQ0lfDL8qEdvmx1zPfj4bgNXOeUvuF_1GPckiHpO9V2KfJZSttrar0nsdfTQH4fv4cWJczcoVWsIML8a5kFpbIFI1JVg4voIXsFQo-Q9GQk-DBQ-76vNoSjLp0/s1600/breakfast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgiTvJpoB2Xa1VMJD7aQ0lfDL8qEdvmx1zPfj4bgNXOeUvuF_1GPckiHpO9V2KfJZSttrar0nsdfTQH4fv4cWJczcoVWsIML8a5kFpbIFI1JVg4voIXsFQo-Q9GQk-DBQ-76vNoSjLp0/s320/breakfast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405957873837200130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">that's for anyone coming over here from Deb's blog...I know you all like your food pictures. It was a great breakfast, 2 cups of coffee, a buffet breakfast, all for 49 pesos! Breakfast tends to be my favorite meal and I absolutely love Mexican breakfasts...beans with breakfast-but of course! So yummy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then I just wandered around a bit with no destination in mind. The streets here in Merida are numbered...both directions...it's a bit confusing, especially for a girl that is directionally challenged, but calle 60 is the main drag and as long as I could find that I was in business.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It appears the town is getting ready for Christmas, and presume as the week progresses the entire town will be lit up at night</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXL4CpFKvdRu4KkmkJE1r9fbMdAnznRUUsb1ioqK2J_VmAYTtSt4fdMpZ9wi-tSmgU5bl86_sQGgnD5UXnY_K_XE8VAAohTXCkrdJMsrxpoeFvUC0bLcIHumNic7YBV6AeTyyToF7Flk/s1600/getting+ready+for+christmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXL4CpFKvdRu4KkmkJE1r9fbMdAnznRUUsb1ioqK2J_VmAYTtSt4fdMpZ9wi-tSmgU5bl86_sQGgnD5UXnY_K_XE8VAAohTXCkrdJMsrxpoeFvUC0bLcIHumNic7YBV6AeTyyToF7Flk/s320/getting+ready+for+christmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405959364223352370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBvYpxPYq1gaqRvS09iOY62dPA8vHPViRTTJLtCnM6-m6TyQ6Jk_nistwUVnCseF8lSiFS6EIN6phpMvIrQSmxH1SBnWHkg8lD0zqnaAJGEquRcDHjOlNAG0PyySTmTxZ1Vuuka1ctXo/s1600/christmas+time.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBvYpxPYq1gaqRvS09iOY62dPA8vHPViRTTJLtCnM6-m6TyQ6Jk_nistwUVnCseF8lSiFS6EIN6phpMvIrQSmxH1SBnWHkg8lD0zqnaAJGEquRcDHjOlNAG0PyySTmTxZ1Vuuka1ctXo/s320/christmas+time.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405959367859798162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">the first thing I stumbled upon was the Museum of Anthropology/Palacio Canton which was built in 1909 and houses artifacts of the Mayan culture. Beautiful on the outside, and pretty impressive on the inside...the museum was quite interesting with everything ranging from Mayan jewelry to burial grounds.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyEDnZAD1t-NPGbTZHqo78X52L4IsaD_BhNfSySfVb7jTiTZeCw9l26DWE_N5trnRf8GGe0Q32pTY_2AZHbmTNRViZ31nr5NlxSjxaT3Ag1du87pfPDjcKSZztcqU8TbmOeSr_CuwuIw/s1600/museum+de+antropologia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyEDnZAD1t-NPGbTZHqo78X52L4IsaD_BhNfSySfVb7jTiTZeCw9l26DWE_N5trnRf8GGe0Q32pTY_2AZHbmTNRViZ31nr5NlxSjxaT3Ag1du87pfPDjcKSZztcqU8TbmOeSr_CuwuIw/s320/museum+de+antropologia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961431207707874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoay4NTFGJn3y8RgSo7WqOgzMb33mEt7V0u2TEGadQDi62sxWLMKonD-1WTPH3o90Kos9fqfnvySTyMMwyZX7GnM6_EbIshCOtsU9Lq8Q_U9SfoXtmHdnGzMq_ROkS9qcapbQICiPxRU/s1600/museum+entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoay4NTFGJn3y8RgSo7WqOgzMb33mEt7V0u2TEGadQDi62sxWLMKonD-1WTPH3o90Kos9fqfnvySTyMMwyZX7GnM6_EbIshCOtsU9Lq8Q_U9SfoXtmHdnGzMq_ROkS9qcapbQICiPxRU/s320/museum+entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961758874562834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdOjxakpQ33p8L04IjNZ4MqOdWJ4TDi9AiweUxJPR0HouWB1MHbjdXpVolO7bPfrFAkGm7kzfJqseEFEVQ9voebyg72pgnLTkS0dox32MsMXwF67fqvuykTIjfyBMgzjcqLR3GD49OJo/s1600/museum+detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdOjxakpQ33p8L04IjNZ4MqOdWJ4TDi9AiweUxJPR0HouWB1MHbjdXpVolO7bPfrFAkGm7kzfJqseEFEVQ9voebyg72pgnLTkS0dox32MsMXwF67fqvuykTIjfyBMgzjcqLR3GD49OJo/s320/museum+detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961748644859682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few houses I saw along the way</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvho6-CIWgLj71O9VzXhdtNxu1RKQKPKeIsBtr-zvjUAWh_Ro6hxkzIZPFIVBhmTPONiyK2jIVtxjhZa0KNGY73i54_3_j1vWEGiYTxdFhSUiPNsF1SLoNF_aaWspE1yIXZNs9dsEJPAU/s1600/homes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvho6-CIWgLj71O9VzXhdtNxu1RKQKPKeIsBtr-zvjUAWh_Ro6hxkzIZPFIVBhmTPONiyK2jIVtxjhZa0KNGY73i54_3_j1vWEGiYTxdFhSUiPNsF1SLoNF_aaWspE1yIXZNs9dsEJPAU/s320/homes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405963486976829522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGEp9vuQWkZgjoElUd_BzfeVFNvY01iwvA4Jwjth0bMDhoaFexwsre9_5gCcKe62zKV_H_WS451A3omqjXj1EFObA8Kh_fzRZo034bbb3LcboG25ClYaPVry2Pw7MFhWrbhGaW9ryqnw/s1600/yellow+house+blue+trim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGEp9vuQWkZgjoElUd_BzfeVFNvY01iwvA4Jwjth0bMDhoaFexwsre9_5gCcKe62zKV_H_WS451A3omqjXj1EFObA8Kh_fzRZo034bbb3LcboG25ClYaPVry2Pw7MFhWrbhGaW9ryqnw/s320/yellow+house+blue+trim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405963476647361506" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZK42vkhtV_k54dGjlYHCNCzhqUz3QmgZZwRFYtqbhza5cthsxAj6965U6VNdxbAigU5cXbjRBrOv0WIpMmeqQylkrO8ocheRq0YU_7Tli5LsafQ9sBWK6s3efntlNV5LRdZpdkLWt-0/s1600/yellow+house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZK42vkhtV_k54dGjlYHCNCzhqUz3QmgZZwRFYtqbhza5cthsxAj6965U6VNdxbAigU5cXbjRBrOv0WIpMmeqQylkrO8ocheRq0YU_7Tli5LsafQ9sBWK6s3efntlNV5LRdZpdkLWt-0/s320/yellow+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405963479914047746" border="0" /></a>after a lot of walking I headed back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and to relax a bit. I headed out again in the afternoon to get lunch (no pictures this time) and do some more exploring. I'm wishing my Spanish were better because many here don't speak English but, we seem to understand each other nonetheless, and they seem to appreciate my attempt to speak the language. I headed to the main plaza where the oldest church in the Americas is located, sat in the plaza for a while and people watched, and learned that this evening at 9pm in the park across the street from my hotel is a culural festival with mayan dancing, etc.! I also went to the museum of contemporary art- odd, and intersting (more later). I'll post more later, including pictures of the cathedral, but now it's time for happy hour at Ponchos- a local bar the owner of the hotel recommended- a couple from Toronto who are staying here already headed down and I'm going to meet them there...then back to see the festivities in the park which start at 9pm. Everything around here seems to start at 9...geez, I feel old. I hope I can stay awake :) I suppose that's why they have siestas!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGEp9vuQWkZgjoElUd_BzfeVFNvY01iwvA4Jwjth0bMDhoaFexwsre9_5gCcKe62zKV_H_WS451A3omqjXj1EFObA8Kh_fzRZo034bbb3LcboG25ClYaPVry2Pw7MFhWrbhGaW9ryqnw/s1600/yellow+house+blue+trim.jpg"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><br /></a>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-66226296912924139002009-11-19T05:30:00.000-08:002009-11-19T06:15:49.823-08:00Arrival: The more things change, the more they stay the same<span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, I made it. Exhausted and starving, but I made it. I do believe, minus the red-eye experience, this was the most flawless trip down to date. I arrived at the Cacun airport, got the green light (they literally have a red/green light to determine if they search your bags) and headed to the curb to wait for the bus to take me to the main city bus terminal to catch a bus to Merida. Lots of your typical Cancun tourists and every single one of them hoped in some sort of hotel sponsored van. I was seriously the ONLY one to take the regular old bus. But, mind you, this isn't really just a regular old bus. I'd say it's more like what we see in the states that touring groups are in. It has A/C and movies. But...it was only 40 pesos vs. a $30 cab rid- can't beat that. I was hoping to arrive at the bus station with a bit of time to grab something to eat, but no such luck... the next bus to Merida was leaving in 8 minutes and I was on it! So, with a grumbling tummy, and sleepy eyes I boarded the 4.5 hour bus to Merida. Thankfully I had "stolen" 2 of the blankets they hand out on the plane, as is typical, the A/C was on super high, and of course bad US movies were blaring in dubbed Spanish! The scenery wasn't much, as we went the toll road which is just a long paved highway through no towns...just jungle on either side. However I did see this!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjP4wbdpvnJqnqUx9edIAkeXvKCEtw1wx-Q-lUEz3v3btDKB513F-sA2CTP_rmXesOxOUTEkZXH5QGhtIqgTYskdmA6RIYQj947jswsHxVJuEsuTEr8c0h-rA-aPp-kR4A88imgejMsI/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjP4wbdpvnJqnqUx9edIAkeXvKCEtw1wx-Q-lUEz3v3btDKB513F-sA2CTP_rmXesOxOUTEkZXH5QGhtIqgTYskdmA6RIYQj947jswsHxVJuEsuTEr8c0h-rA-aPp-kR4A88imgejMsI/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405809432321223778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now, I realize you probably can't see that, it was taken from the bus going 60 mph down the highway but the smaller of the signs says: Starbucks Ahead (with logo)</span>. <span style="font-family: verdana;">Ugh, and I thought I was leaving America behind! I must have seen at least 5 of them along the highway, but at least they were all concentrated near Cancun itself. The bus arrived in Merida a few minutes to 4:00pm, and Oh. My. God. This city is huge! Anyone reading this who's been to Mexico City is probably laughing at me, but I'm used to small Mexican towns...this place has 1.6 million (verified) people and it is a maze of streets. It took about 20 minutes for the bus to wind it's way through the narrow streets and then it was a quick hop and 40 more pesos in a cab and I had finally arrived at my final resting place for the next 5 days. Luz en Yucatan (look it up if you have time, they have a fun, quirky website). I got checked in (room is palatial) and then off to get some food and a beer as I was famished. I walked across the street, as the hotel recommended it and it was closing at 5pm, and ordered fajitas and a cold Modelo No joke, those may have been the best fajitas I have ever had. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I then came back to my room, opened a beer that was in my fridge and promptly fell asleep until 7am this morning! <br />And don't anyone worry that I may feel out of sorts being here, and missing the rats...I woke up to a very large cockroach scuttling across the floor! Ahhh, I'm in Mexico. I wouldn't have it any other way! A quick cold shower and then I'm off to explore for the day...not even sure where to begin, except for sure with coffee...gotta love the Nescafe!<br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-11136169001806118892009-11-18T04:01:00.000-08:002009-11-18T04:12:51.006-08:00Really? On a red-eye?<span style="font-family: verdana;">Ok, this will be my last post in the U.S. and also my last non-pleasant post. I hope the rest to be filled with sun, sand, and great food (and a few margaritas for good measure)!<br /><br />But...really? On a red-eye. It's bad enough when there are 5 children between the ages of 0-4 who all screamed the entire way (note to Erik: no pulling an Erik, i.e. getting up and moving to a different seat if there are children seated within a 3 booth radius). Now, I can forgive the children, they are just kids after all. But really, the people behind me...who talked the ENTIRE time. at full volume. while EVERYONE else was trying to sleep. I had my iPod turned up as high as it could go and I could still hear every word of their conversation. And what was their conversation about you ask? Oh, just the most appropriate things for a plane ride. Politics, namely how horrible Obama is and how he's ruining everything, and religion- ugh! Thank god I don't see them here waiting to get on my next flight!<br /><br />Needless to say, I didn't get much, if any, sleep. But alas, that doesn't matter, I'm headed to Mexico and for the next several days I can sleep all I want and truly relax.<br /><br />Ok, really...my next posts will be full of sunny good things. I promise!<br /><br />p.s. I broke my 3+ year boycott of Starbucks and am drinking a pumpkin spiced latte right now :( thinking of you Karina! And mom, must not have been Atlanta you were thinking of...I've seen several coffee places.<br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-73892376280720523592009-11-18T03:49:00.000-08:002009-11-18T03:57:23.947-08:00Grey Gardens*<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I'm sitting at SeaTac awaiting boarding time. Since I want to leave all things behind and enjoy my trip, this is my last opportunity to write about the "b horror flick" which I alluded to in my first post. Most of you by now have heard the saga, but for those of you that have not, here is a disclaimer: this is both a sad and a not so pleasant story. I'm not sure which it's more of. do not read this while eating, when planning on eating, or if you have a queasy stomach or fear of "critters." And no, I am not exaggerating any of this. Seriously. I wish I were.<br /><br />Here's the scene, 1 week ago this past Saturday (name changed to protect the innocent)<br /><br />Amy (on cell phone sitting in car in front of my house): I'm here Jill, come out, I'm not coming in?<br />Me: What do you mean you're not coming in?<br />Amy: Seriously, there are rats, I'm not getting out of my car<br />Me: Amy, rats? I live in the city now, sure you probably saw a rat<br />Amy (audibly getting more agitated): JILL, I live in the city too...there are rats, more than one...this is NOT normal...come out and get in the car, I don't want to get out<br />Me: OK (grabs bag and heads out to car to go to dinner)<br />Both sitting in car in front of my house<br />Amy: SEE...did you just see that...there's another one<br />Me: Yeah, I saw it...it's been raining. a lot. they are probably coming out of the sewers.<br />Amy: No, this isn't normal, i'm telling you. LOOK another one!<br />drive to dinner<br />Amy: Seriously Jill, this isn't normal with the rats. Has there been construction going on?<br />Me: Actually yeah, there were people working at the house next door today...I just figured they were remodeling.<br />Amy: Ok, that's your assignment tomorrow..find out what's going on next door because really, this is NOT normal.<br />Me: Ok, I get it.<br />there was a bit more drama upon returning to my house which involved me running up and down the street stomping to "scare off the rats" so Amy could return to her car<br />Skip to Sunday morning<br />Me...in bed asleep still, phone rings<br />Me: Hello?<br />Amy: So, what did you find out?<br />Me (still half asleep): Huh? Oh, right...hold on. (walks to window and peers out). Looks like the construction people are back over there.<br />Amy: Good...now go talk to them and call me back. Bye.<br />And this my friends is when seriously, you want to put your food down!<br /><br />White unmarked construction truck<br />Man in full hazmat-like gear including respirator mask<br /><br />Me: Hi, I just recently moved in next door, can you tell me what's going on?<br />Hazmat dude: We're powerwashing.<br />Me: The INSIDE?!?!?!<br />HD: Yeah<br />Me: Uhhhh...could this have something to do with the rats I saw last night (at this point the memory of my sister finding her neighbor dead in her home this summer suddenly sprung into my mind)<br />HD: Oh, heh, did you see a migration?<br />Me: Migration? Uh, yeah, you could say that...I would definitely say it was more rats than I'm used to ever seeing.<br />HD: Yeah, probably.<br />Me (pulling teeth): So, it was that bad in there, huh?<br />HD: Yeah<br />Me: So, I haven't even met them...are they living there?<br />HD: It's just an old lady, her husband is in a nursing home. She's in a hotel right now but coming back.<br />Me: Ok thanks.<br /><br />call Amy back with update...<br />Amy: you need to get more info<br />Me: wait, looks like there are people gathered around on the lawn, maybe they are other neighbors<br />Amy: Go talk to them...get the scoop<br /><br />non-hazmat people (NHP)<br />Me: Hi, do you live around here?<br />NHP: No, my wife runs this company<br />Me: So, can you give me the scoop<br />NHP: Man...yeah. It's pretty bad. One of the worst we've seen. 70 year old lady. Doesn't seem she's ever thrown anything away. Ever. Her husband's blind but he's in a nursing home.<br />Me: So she's a hoarder?<br />NHP: Yeah, I guess. She's been feeding the rats so that they wouldn't eat her food. When the guys opened the fridge and oven they (rats!) poured out . We didn't even know there was a kitchen table with chairs in there it was piled so high with newspapers dating back to 2000.<br />Me: Wait. She was feeding rats?<br />NHP: Yeah, but she's moving back in because they say she's of "sound mind and body"<br />Me (bewildered, and slightly grossed out): Uhh, if she's feeding rats I'm thinking she's not of sound mind and body.<br />NHP: Yeah<br />Me: You know I thought it was strange that ever since I've moved in I've never seen any lights on over here...I thought maybe they had moved away.<br />NHP: Well, that's because every single light bulb had burned out...she wasn't using the heat, but just a little space heater she had in her room. The rats had made nests in all of the radiators.<br />Me: How horrible. <br /><br />Ok...you get the gist. I could go into more detail but I'm about to board and I truly want to put this behind me...or at least temporarily forget about it for the next 15 days! Long story short, for the next few days it was like "whack-a-rat" everytime I looked out on the front lawn at night. I started hearing rats in my walls and thought perhaps I was just imagining it. Hazmat team was there every day for a week working to clean the place (I was told they were surprised I couldn't smell it). Turns out I wasn't going crazy and I really was hearing rats in my walls. Thankfully my landlords are great and got right on it. An exerminator has come and hopefully by the time I get back I won't hear or see another rat. On the non-gross side of things, it's truly a sad story. In the state of Washington a person is "of sound mind and body" as long as they are paying their bills and a family member doesn't commit them. She's moved back in, and when I return I hope to befriend her...not that I'll be able to keep her from her ways...but maybe if she has a friend she won't be as inclined to feed the rats.<br />I'm sure this isn't the end of this story (Erik...always an epic, right?)<br /><br />Boarding in 5 minutes. Will have to post this once I have internet (I'm too cheap to pay for it here at the airport!). (free internet at Atlanta airport - yea!)<br /><br />Adios mi amigos...the next time I write I'll be a lot warmer and a LOT more relaxed!<br /><br />*Grey Gardens...look it up!<br /><br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990707775957865445.post-25884013021154049422009-11-10T19:22:00.001-08:002009-11-10T20:03:30.406-08:00Leaving on a Jet Plane<span style="font-family:verdana;">At this time next week I will be on my way to the airport headed to sunny and warm Mexico. This was to be our (Erik and my) annual trip down there using up the last of the free tickets I received from my previous job. Anyone reading this knows that now it's just me going, and there's no need to go into all that...let's just say I'm both excited and scared for my first solo vacation. I've traveled alone before, but I don't really count Belize since I have lived there. This will be my first true vacation on my own. A friend of mine (who I actually met because of Mexico and has her own wonderful </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://isladeb.blogspot.com/">blog</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> which I'll never be able to come close to) has convinced me to take my laptop with me since I'll be solo and I figured "what the heck?" Ok, actually I thought, "really? take my laptop? I'm not so sure about that hassle." But...the more I thought about it, the more I think she's right- I'll have lots more time on my hands, and it will be nice to not always have to find an internet cafe to download photos and write home. That, and the minute I mentioned the idea to my mother I don't think I had the option to </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >not </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">take it...seeing as how my mother, bless her heart, can't come to terms with the fact that I'm a grown adult, and is still worried that I am traveling alone!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I make no guarantees that I'll post everyday (sorry mom)...I'm not even sure if I'll have internet everywhere I go...but whenever possible, I'll make every attempt to post a little something about my adventures and post pictures along the way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have no idea what to expect on this trip - other than my first few days, I'm not even sure where all I'm going! I'm sure I'll get lonely along the way and I'll miss Erik by my side sharing in the adventures, but at the same time I'm really excited to explore areas of the Yucatan I haven't before and, for the first time in over a year, truly relax and do nothing. Oh, that and escape the b horror flick which is unfolding in my neighborhood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'll be thinking of you all as I'm sipping my margarita on the beach, hoping you too will be able to get away and relax in your own paradise soon.</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013906779180211147noreply@blogger.com2