tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30856274603589513812024-03-12T18:56:51.934-07:00Six months in Mexico (Seis Meses en Mexico)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-5508952243751697042011-03-21T03:56:00.000-07:002011-03-21T03:56:58.277-07:00Escaping the crowd of Mexican Tourists - good bye Itchy Chicken<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SlDqi2jkI2Q/TYcojCUTg1I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/ZEzaOF0noc4/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SlDqi2jkI2Q/TYcojCUTg1I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/ZEzaOF0noc4/s200/DSC_0416.JPG" width="130" /></a>After a couple of hours of snapping pictures, and dodging the crowds of tourists, we decided to see the refuge of a quieter place for lunch. The five of us crammed into a cab and headed to a nearby resort, restaurant that was built near another Cenote. This cenote was huge, and the infrastructure was really well developed to cater for a large number of tourists. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The cenote was very impressive, but I think the experience we had the previous day in the smaller, less touristy and more isolated cenotes was far more genuine. Still, I had to admit this cenote was still very impressive. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Aaron and Wayne braved the large number of tourists to enjoy the water before we all and a very nice lunch at the nearby restaurant.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wL7b-7fMxYA/TYcqaXMDf9I/AAAAAAAAA3U/bNB7jNfVUhU/s1600/DSC_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wL7b-7fMxYA/TYcqaXMDf9I/AAAAAAAAA3U/bNB7jNfVUhU/s320/DSC_0421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mid afternoon, we climbed into another cab and headed back to the utter chaos of the main carpark. After rescuing our backpacks from a very frustrated and tired locker room attendant, we headed out to the front of the site, to try and find our bus. The buses were backed up and thousands of tourists were milling trying to find their ride out of there. There had to be at least 40 large coaches trying to pick up their load and get out of there. Finally we located our bus, and clambered on.<br />
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We arrived at our final destination, Cancun, late that afternoon.We were back where we started. Due to a booking error, we somehow ended up with an enormous king size room. After a wonderful soak in the bath to wash off all the "Itchy Chicken" dust, we all headed out for dinner at a local restaurant. Tomorrow was New Years Eve, and important discussions must be held to decide how we would celebrate the outgoing and incoming year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-27894199957227102412011-03-21T03:27:00.000-07:002011-03-21T03:27:02.671-07:00Chichen Itza - our last day on the road after three weeks of travelling.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2ZVrcOjbjsI/TYchEngbeTI/AAAAAAAAA24/_FPbdIgzesA/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2ZVrcOjbjsI/TYchEngbeTI/AAAAAAAAA24/_FPbdIgzesA/s200/DSC_0389.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Chichen Itza or as Steve christened it "Itchy Chicken"</b>.This morning is the last day on the road. After a quick cab ride we were back at the bus stop, where we board a bus that will take us to one of the most famous Mayan Ruins, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichen_Itza">Chichen Itza</a>. After an hour we arrived to a massive carpark that was packed with cars and tourist buses. Yes!! at this time of the year all of Mexico is on holidays and I think half of them had decided to visit Chichen Itza for the day. (Slight exageration, however the crowd was huge!!!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-clTG62yIajo/TYcjOAmJIEI/AAAAAAAAA28/cgc573ExwRE/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-clTG62yIajo/TYcjOAmJIEI/AAAAAAAAA28/cgc573ExwRE/s200/DSC_0376.JPG" width="132" /></a></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5l2_hCFFdoA/TYckkl4wlWI/AAAAAAAAA3I/82IDfqT2fJg/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5l2_hCFFdoA/TYckkl4wlWI/AAAAAAAAA3I/82IDfqT2fJg/s200/DSC_0371.JPG" width="200" /></a>Lucky for us Johanna has arranged for a local guide, who rounds us up, after we have stored out backpackes in the locker room, and marches us past the lines of tourists waiting to buy their tickets and through the turnstiles. Yes!! he was on a mission to get us out to look at the amazing ruins which included pyrimads, sacrificial blocks, and the famous <a href="http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/mayanballgame.htm">mayan ball court.</a><br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r3D3WNTlfeY/TYckNCkYVCI/AAAAAAAAA3E/vPoiwDzYr_U/s1600/DSC_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r3D3WNTlfeY/TYckNCkYVCI/AAAAAAAAA3E/vPoiwDzYr_U/s320/DSC_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a> He was a funny little man, with a mine of information. However, he tour was was a little like pushing a button and listening to a monotone recording. If you asked a question out of turn or interupted, he would quickly give you a black look, and continue on with his speal. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CFuhvCU6mQY/TYcjtk7-zJI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Sw6R9fqXplQ/s1600/DSC_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CFuhvCU6mQY/TYcjtk7-zJI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Sw6R9fqXplQ/s200/DSC_0383.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayan Ball Court</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c773cGFV9Gs/TYcmVSxdXnI/AAAAAAAAA3M/yt3mA6NbJJc/s1600/DSC_0414a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c773cGFV9Gs/TYcmVSxdXnI/AAAAAAAAA3M/yt3mA6NbJJc/s400/DSC_0414a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful Mayan Ceramics</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Despite this, Chichen Itza was a truely astonishing place to visit. Again I think, it is easier if I post some pictures to give you a visual experienceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-66178783531469815502011-03-19T22:52:00.000-07:002011-03-19T22:52:50.525-07:00Cenotes and Pueblas in the Yucatan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gp3PLVLM6XI/TYWJIpgfRvI/AAAAAAAAA1M/a8gFWVcRayM/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gp3PLVLM6XI/TYWJIpgfRvI/AAAAAAAAA1M/a8gFWVcRayM/s200/DSC_0320.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Today was a day for some exploring, Aaron and Wayne had decided to hire a taxi and visit some more Mayan ruins while Steve and I joined a tour that would take us to visit a couple of small rural villages and then ride on small horse drawn train carriages to visit and swim in three different <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenote">Cenotes</a>. Cenotes (or sinkholes) are large underground caverns with the most amazing clear water, despite some very sore and stiff muscles from yesterday's fall I was looking forward to this adventure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PgeP0a6voOU/TYWKSryZeyI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/GiMbjqU_h0s/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PgeP0a6voOU/TYWKSryZeyI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/GiMbjqU_h0s/s200/DSC_0312.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Our first stop was a small village, where the main form of transport were little home made trolley's attached to motorbikes. Everything around the town was transported by these little trolleys. They filled the roll of buses, taxis, furniture removalists, water delivery etc. In the main square next to the church all the drivers gathered waiting for their next job. We had time to wander around the town, check out the church and Mayan temple which was beside the church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UBMROUOKh7M/TYWLoyVDxmI/AAAAAAAAA1U/TzZhxQITHPs/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UBMROUOKh7M/TYWLoyVDxmI/AAAAAAAAA1U/TzZhxQITHPs/s200/DSC_0317.JPG" width="132" /></a> Interesting point! Churches were build by the spanish conquerors and catholic church next to the temples in order to have the most impact of drawing the Mayans away from their "heathen ways". Luckily for the Mayans they managed to continue to keep their traditional beliefs, adapting them to fit in with the introduced rules of the Catholic church. <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EaJ7lCfx42o/TYWPWLWsY8I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/KWE1nO-gnCs/s1600/DSC_0327a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EaJ7lCfx42o/TYWPWLWsY8I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/KWE1nO-gnCs/s200/DSC_0327a.jpg" width="140" /></a> From the village we continued through the rural country side passing an old hacienda that dated back to the days when the area was famous for the production of<a href="http://www.mexicomike.com/stories/henequen.htm"> henequen </a>or sisal. This is the fibre from agave plant which is used to make rope, from string that is used to make hammocks to the thick ropes that are used to moor the worlds largest ships. The production and plantations play an important part in the history of the Yucatan and its people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ecFzgy-Q-Lk/TYWQSGA8KqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/pLno20TD8TI/s1600/DSC_0337a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ecFzgy-Q-Lk/TYWQSGA8KqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/pLno20TD8TI/s320/DSC_0337a.jpg" width="211" /></a>We finally arrived at the small village where we were going to catch our ride to the cenotes. The transport was arranged by the ingenious idea of one of the village elders. For over ten years a small colectivo of the local men of the village worked together to provide transport to the cenotes, grandfathers passing on the tradition to their sons and grandsons. We boarded small open 4 seater carriages and horsed where harnessed to the front. They pulled us along a narrow train track through the bush, to the three different cenotes that were open to the public. <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Oum71Ff8B-c/TYWSscflgiI/AAAAAAAAA1g/rFKvrQ8cXeE/s1600/DSC_0370a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Oum71Ff8B-c/TYWSscflgiI/AAAAAAAAA1g/rFKvrQ8cXeE/s200/DSC_0370a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9QmRjzsCvk/TYWUF5WOKkI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uaG0oKIVqnY/s1600/DSC_0355a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9QmRjzsCvk/TYWUF5WOKkI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uaG0oKIVqnY/s320/DSC_0355a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> At each cenote, we climbed down narrow ladders into the gloomy caverns lit by rays of sunlight pouring through the small holes in the ceiling. At the bottom of the ladders were a couple of platforms that we could jump into the water from. The heights depending on your level of daring. Steve was able to practise a couple of dive bombs into the crystal clear water from a platform that was about 15 metres above the water.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> After climbing out of each cenote we jumped back into our little carriage and headed off to the next one. Every now and again we would have to stop and our drivers (a young man and his little brother) would pull our trolley off the rails to let another group coming back the other way pass through. They would then put the trolley back on the rails, we would jump on and be on our way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When we finally returned (a little drippy and dusty) we were able to change at the local restaurant and then were provided with a delicious lunch before we made our way back to Merida. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-25072649226197757902011-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:002011-03-19T04:46:29.670-07:00Back to the tales about "tripping" around in Southern Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MvLEdQPuWWE/TYSPKVBh8cI/AAAAAAAAA1A/YYBNCgow0RU/s1600/embarrassed-chimpanzee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MvLEdQPuWWE/TYSPKVBh8cI/AAAAAAAAA1A/YYBNCgow0RU/s200/embarrassed-chimpanzee.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My last blog described the highlights of our day at Palenque and our visit to the Mayan ruins. The next part of our trip began with an early start. Backpacks strapped to our backs, the five of us left our hotel and made the short journey to the local bus station. The short walk was without incident until we had to cross the main road in front of the bus station. Waiting for a gap in the morning traffic, we dodged the potholes and puddles of water and headed across the road.<br />
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Well!! as I made my way across, I noticed a uneven lump in the middle of the road, and when Aaron slipped on it a little, I remember thinking, careful!!! However, before I knew it I had fallen flat on my face backpack and bum in the air!!! Fortunately, the local traffic managed to stop, and as my companions grabbed my arms and lifted me up, I could see the local taxi drivers shaking their heads and saying "<i>gringa loca</i>". Nursing a bruised pride, (plus lots of other grazed and bruised bits) I limped the rest of the way across to the Bus stop. Backpacks stowed underneath the Bus, we climbed on board the coach, making ourselves comfortable for the long trip from Chiapas through to the state of Yucatan to the east coast of Mexico and the town of Merida. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merida is known as the "White City" (due to the large amount of limestone and white paint used on buildings in the city. It is a charming, bustling colonial city which has been centre of Mayan culture for hundreds of years. Once we had booked into our hotel, Steve and I set out to explore its narrow cobble stone streets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mi7khEbb0Jg/TYSRNa1YlZI/AAAAAAAAA1E/R45mMXpLvjM/s1600/285798332_3e6b371513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mi7khEbb0Jg/TYSRNa1YlZI/AAAAAAAAA1E/R45mMXpLvjM/s200/285798332_3e6b371513.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancho's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were immediately charmed by the city, and spent a couple of hours checking out the numerous artisan shops, delightful churches and the main plaza that was packed with Mexicans celebrating the Christmas-New Year holiday.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZNOEhOzC6e4/TYSTua14ZFI/AAAAAAAAA1I/A4HS54fY4QI/s1600/3523435023_88d87f8263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZNOEhOzC6e4/TYSTua14ZFI/AAAAAAAAA1I/A4HS54fY4QI/s200/3523435023_88d87f8263.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
We met the others at the famous Pancho's Restaurant. The atmosphere, service, drinks and food was excellent. It was a great way to finish of a long day. The evening was finished off when we were entertained by one of the waiters preparing the famous Mayan flaming coffee. Check this link to see how it is made.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWG9v9U81M">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWG9v9U81M.</a><br />
The faint aniseed taste of the rich coffee, tickled my taste buds and helped me to forget the collection of bruises, scratches and sore spots were starting to emerge on the right side of my body, after my recent tripping episode.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-9151211259735209012011-03-19T03:39:00.000-07:002011-03-19T03:39:56.127-07:00Where has time gone???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bjpFLs6yx_8/TYSEefgk_EI/AAAAAAAAA08/rm9OSq0-6KA/s1600/tootpaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bjpFLs6yx_8/TYSEefgk_EI/AAAAAAAAA08/rm9OSq0-6KA/s200/tootpaste.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This morning as I squeezed the last of my tube of Colgate<i> Crema Dental con fluor</i>, <i>Max Fresh con Cristales Refrescantes</i> (tooth paste) on to my toothbrush, I realised that it is nearly two months since we left Mexico. My empty tube of toothpaste is a reminder that "yes I did have seven months away and I did have some great experiences".<br />
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I reflect on how quickly you are absorbed back into your old life style, and how I now need to stop every now and then and look at all my photos to remind me of my time away. I have slipped into the everyday hum drum of catching train and going to work very quickly. Though I must admit there is an underlying restlessness that only time or a new project will calm.<br />
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Next week, everyone who went overseas on the in-country studies program will be gathering together to reflect, celebrate, swap stories and relive our adventures. I can't wait to hear about everyone's experiences. This in mind, I must put pen to paper, or fingers to the key board and finish the tale of my Mexican Adventure. Stay tuned for more stories and pictures.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-58010454482876589142011-02-16T03:42:00.000-08:002011-02-16T03:42:07.926-08:00Palenque - Again Let the Pictures do the Talking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1D4QKSm5h4/TVu2Akv2mSI/AAAAAAAAA0o/qCyQ2Xs-eb0/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1D4QKSm5h4/TVu2Akv2mSI/AAAAAAAAA0o/qCyQ2Xs-eb0/s400/DSC_0205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCA4GN04NO4/TVu2NUlSIII/AAAAAAAAA0s/T1t85lEmEG8/s1600/DSC_0240a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCA4GN04NO4/TVu2NUlSIII/AAAAAAAAA0s/T1t85lEmEG8/s400/DSC_0240a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krlNpnvxnvY/TVu2akkLfOI/AAAAAAAAA0w/wo591BoLnJo/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krlNpnvxnvY/TVu2akkLfOI/AAAAAAAAA0w/wo591BoLnJo/s400/DSC_0265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOMDsZaqU4Y/TVu3pl0ROFI/AAAAAAAAA04/DNqDld-0R9E/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOMDsZaqU4Y/TVu3pl0ROFI/AAAAAAAAA04/DNqDld-0R9E/s320/DSC_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzOHRbKVhww/TVu2_RsbW6I/AAAAAAAAA00/1BwtVd49DnQ/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzOHRbKVhww/TVu2_RsbW6I/AAAAAAAAA00/1BwtVd49DnQ/s200/DSC_0231.JPG" width="132" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-88278956386511342472011-02-16T03:31:00.000-08:002011-02-16T03:31:26.044-08:00Palenque - Another Indiana Jones Moment!!!Unfortunately for Steve, old "Montezuma's revenge" snuck in overnight and he was not at all well. Leaving him with lollies to suck and dry biscuits for lunch, we said good bye and headed off on our next Indiana Jones Adventure. It was such a shame that Steve was going to miss this part of our adventure.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikVfB_fMNA0/TVuyUIMHovI/AAAAAAAAA0g/D_2eNHwCmMI/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikVfB_fMNA0/TVuyUIMHovI/AAAAAAAAA0g/D_2eNHwCmMI/s200/DSC_0189.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the underground ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV4rF4CwQZU/TVuxvjAdZmI/AAAAAAAAA0c/zOwWitIWQw8/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV4rF4CwQZU/TVuxvjAdZmI/AAAAAAAAA0c/zOwWitIWQw8/s200/DSC_0178.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trekking through the jungle</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After a short taxi ride we arrived at a clearing in the jungle and our guide was waiting for us, we were joined by another small group of travellers and the journey started. The trek was for about an hour and a half making our way through the jungle, over streams and along muddy paths. Our guide informed us that we were actually walking over Mayan ruins that had been covered by the jungle. We were able to climb through a small hole down inside one of the buildings to see how well preserved they were.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3i41JKOizik/TVuzf99QkeI/AAAAAAAAA0k/2CfOJ-Qm2dE/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3i41JKOizik/TVuzf99QkeI/AAAAAAAAA0k/2CfOJ-Qm2dE/s200/DSC_0223.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>Hot, damp and muddy, we finally came out at the main ruins. Wow!!! Of all the ruins that I have visited in Guatamala and Mexico I think these were one of my favorites. It was such a shame that Steve was unable to be there with us. Duty bound I set out to take as many photos as I could so he would be able to see it when I got back to the hotel. (as if I needed an excuse to take more pictures!!!).<br />
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Actually, again there were large numbers of tourists, due to it being holiday break in Mexico. Our guide warned us to climb carefully as a tourist had fallen the previous day and broken their arm. Noted!! I thought, given my previous record I was extra careful as I climed the three main temples. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-85727408491232414642011-02-16T03:02:00.000-08:002011-02-16T03:02:32.934-08:00A wet Boxing Day as we journey to PalenqueWe had spend christmas eve having a few quiet drinks in a very nice bar/restaurant in a trendy area not far from our hotel.We couldn't get over how busy the centre of town was. There were lots of families out eating in restaurants or just enjoying the "fresh" night air. As we were quite weary from our long day and lack of sleep the previous night, we called it an early night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqfgghPX4AY/TVusqpKha2I/AAAAAAAAA0U/HOmKoVBa5-M/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqfgghPX4AY/TVusqpKha2I/AAAAAAAAA0U/HOmKoVBa5-M/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OT5_no9BUr0/TVutgOSMdwI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/zUBPUIopIIk/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OT5_no9BUr0/TVutgOSMdwI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/zUBPUIopIIk/s200/DSC_0167.JPG" width="200" /></a>Boxing Day greeted us with grey skies and as we started our trip to Palenque, the rain began to fall. As we passed through the small pueblos (villages) we noticed many of them had signs and graffiti supporting the Zapatista Movement. Our van driver who lived locally pointed out the Zapatista strongholds as we passed through.<br />
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It was very noticable that these were very poor villages, with small wooden house, basic school buildings etc. After a couple of hours of driving down the mountain side, and passing some spectacular scenery we stopped at the popular tourist spot of <a href="http://www.locogringo.com/chiapas/aguaazul.html">Agua Azul.</a> It was interesting to find that we not only had to pay entry to the park, but we were stopped at another roadblock where we had to pay money to the Zapatista Group.<br />
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Even though the weather was very miserable, the place was packed with Mexican Tourists on their annual holidays. It was such a shame that it was wet because the waterfall and blue-green pools were really beautiful and on a good day it would have been great to have a swim there. After having lunch here we continued onto the town of Palenque. Certainly a contrast to San Cristobal, there wasn't a lot to see here. However, we were excited at the prospect of visiting the nearby Mayan Ruins tomorrow.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-68884519707378082932011-02-16T02:37:00.000-08:002011-02-16T02:37:50.956-08:00Christmas Lunch and Zapatistas.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_XHh7-IpfQ/TVunX2HoGAI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/50L0dBNA5D8/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_XHh7-IpfQ/TVunX2HoGAI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/50L0dBNA5D8/s200/DSC_0133.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Once back in San Cristobal, we did a walking tour of the local markets, back streets, as well as visiting the Zapatista Centre. This was a cafe, museum and small shop that sold craft and art work from the local indigenous people. Unfortunately the Museum was closed. I was particularly interested in this as in my previous subject at Uni (Social Change) I had written an essay on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatista_Army_of_National_Liberation">Zapatistas.</a><br />
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<span id="more-347"></span> <div class="c1"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4Yv6HC3z-o/TVukiujfeNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Si-9BYqwbs8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4Yv6HC3z-o/TVukiujfeNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Si-9BYqwbs8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub Commander Marcos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="c1">San Cristobal was the town where the EZLN (Zapatista Army of National Liberation) or Zapatistas for short, commenced their campaign of fighting for the rights of the local indigenous peoples. Their leader was and still is Sub-Commander Marcos. </div><a href="http://www.cloudpeopleadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IMG_3930.jpg" target="_blank"> </a><br />
The Zapatistas briefly took control of the town in 1994, they were arguing against the free-trade agreement with the US, which made it difficult for local indigenous corn growers to sustain their well-being. Though the Zapatista's methods were controversial to say the least, they definitely brought the plight of the indigenous people to the world's attention, and to this day they are still a very active political group.They were the first group of revolutionaries that used the Internet to spread the word of their fight, and through this campaign they received support from all corners of the world. They were also one of the first groups in Mexico that gave equal rights to women and highlighted the position of women in Mexico society. They are still very active in Chiapas. There was a lot of their merchandise available and many incidences of political slogans painted on walls. We were going to witness more evidence of this in our next days travel.<br />
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After our walking tour, we had worked up quite an appetite and it was time for "Christmas Lunch". Johanna took us to a local restaurant that served traditional food and we all enjoyed huge bowls of soup accompanied by fresh avocado, chopped up chillies, onions and tortillas. So different to what we were used to eating for Christmas lunch. Tasty all the same!<br />
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After lunch it was time for the traditional Christmas afternoon sleep!! and back in our rooms there was some good news!! HOT WATER in our showers!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-54695469443184605392011-02-15T03:01:00.000-08:002011-02-16T03:03:31.150-08:00Zinacatan, Chiapas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeDZSD8tsAI/TVpWxV17KkI/AAAAAAAAAz8/Hb4pWmzya68/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeDZSD8tsAI/TVpWxV17KkI/AAAAAAAAAz8/Hb4pWmzya68/s200/DSC_0109.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7wQ91aMvT4/TVpVkVxaoyI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NvAgGyWR0Fo/s1600/DSC_0118a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7wQ91aMvT4/TVpVkVxaoyI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NvAgGyWR0Fo/s200/DSC_0118a.jpg" width="200" /></a>After a very squashy 10 minute drive our taxi arrived near the church and main square of the village of Zinacatan. Again the villages here have their unique traditional costume, made from local wools with the brilliant and dominate colours of purple, pink and blue. Everyone in the village was dressed up in their best gear for the Christmas celebrations. Amazing!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdhbQCg0jxc/TVpYFtVjHlI/AAAAAAAAA0A/AXkU8QGsPP4/s1600/DSC_0085aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdhbQCg0jxc/TVpYFtVjHlI/AAAAAAAAA0A/AXkU8QGsPP4/s200/DSC_0085aa.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>As soon as we crossed the square we were met by one of the beautifully dressed women asking if we would like to see one of the local women weaving the fabric for the costumes. She directed a small girl who was around 12 years old to take us down to one of the local homes. There was quite a fuss when we arrived, the woman who did the weaving was inside having a meal. There was a mad rush, and scurry as everyone raced around getting the show room ready for us, within 5 minutes the lady was out, wiping the food from her mouth and setting up her weaving. She was very sweet and very happy for us to take her picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMG9v6DqAmE/TVpZIDsmSzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/zNwNh6PpX-Y/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMG9v6DqAmE/TVpZIDsmSzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/zNwNh6PpX-Y/s200/DSC_0097.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>On of the young girls delighted in dressing us up in the local costumes. A very good tactic, how could you refuse to buy something when they went to so much trouble. After our fashion parade and a couple of purchases we headed back up to the main plaza in front of the church, where many of the villages were celebrating with pantomines and fireworks.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stK11l8SiVA/TVpcx1L-FiI/AAAAAAAAA0I/VL6dLgGiSvQ/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stK11l8SiVA/TVpcx1L-FiI/AAAAAAAAA0I/VL6dLgGiSvQ/s200/DSC_0106.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men making firecrackers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the centre of the plaza there was a group of men sitting on small stools stuffing gunpowder and explosives into home made crackers, and then as soon as they had made enough to make a good bang!! they would let them off without any warning.<br />
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What a morning!!! complete sensory overload, the smells of the pine needles and incense in the churches, the brilliant colours of the local costumes and the sounds of the local music and dancing and of course the fireworks!!! A little after mid day, we crammed into another taxi and headed back to San Cristobal for Christmas lunch.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-31413738961290663262011-02-15T02:22:00.000-08:002011-02-15T02:22:23.038-08:00San Juan Chamula, Chiapas<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ML6oDI_tciQ/TVpPOsFcq7I/AAAAAAAAAzs/KB-m0sMXQNk/s1600/elders+in+San+Juan+Chamul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ML6oDI_tciQ/TVpPOsFcq7I/AAAAAAAAAzs/KB-m0sMXQNk/s200/elders+in+San+Juan+Chamul.jpg" width="144" /></a>The driver of the "Titanic" dropped us off close to the town square of San Juan Chamula. We were warned that the Chamulas also are very private peopleand that they did not tolerate people taking pictures of them or their temples. (So putting our cameras away) we set of to explore the centre of town. (The photos on this blog are from <i>http://www.luxuriousmexico.com/wwwluxuriousmexico/Luxurious%20Mexico/Products/EnglishProducts/ChiapasSanJuanChamula.html).</i><br />
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The town centre was a buzz with different groups of people celebrating christmas. Markets were opening up in the square. All the men from the district (dressed in their unique costume of fluffy white or black coats) were listening intently to the local govenor addressing the crown from the balcony of the municipal hall on the achievements that they had made over the past year. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK1MrUz_eF0/TVpSYGMeVQI/AAAAAAAAAz0/pTzuwTHx7zw/s1600/San_Juan_Chamula_-_Prozession_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK1MrUz_eF0/TVpSYGMeVQI/AAAAAAAAAz0/pTzuwTHx7zw/s200/San_Juan_Chamula_-_Prozession_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The costumes of the local people were really interesting, men with their coats and women with black shaggy skirts and colourfully embroided blouses.All the clothes they wear are hand made locally. The wool on the sheep, cleaning, dyes and knitting are all obtained "in-house": nothing is purchased externally. Sheep are sacred here: they are treated, protected and mourned on passing as any other member of the family. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAinapQCHMU/TVpR4_wM7oI/AAAAAAAAAzw/MiTazYf85lo/s1600/Chiapas%252C+San+Juan+Chamula%252C+Cathedral+San+Juan+Bautista%252C+Day+of+the+dead+celebration+-+Photo+by+German+Murillo-Echavarria+1106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAinapQCHMU/TVpR4_wM7oI/AAAAAAAAAzw/MiTazYf85lo/s200/Chiapas%252C+San+Juan+Chamula%252C+Cathedral+San+Juan+Bautista%252C+Day+of+the+dead+celebration+-+Photo+by+German+Murillo-Echavarria+1106.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>A highlight of our visit to San Juan was the local temple where people from all over the nearby villages arrive to conduct rituals, pray and seek healing. Inside the church it was dark, and smoky with the smell of incense and the pine needle carpet. Small family groups were kneeling around candles placed in specific arrangements, and chanting.<br />
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I saw on man with his wife and two small children, chanting and waving eggs and herbs over the candles. The smell of incense was quite overpowering. One of the most unusual churches I have ever seen, and it was made even more interesting because it was Christmas day. A special privilege and experience! Outside the church there were different groups of people from the villages, chanting, dancing and singing, waiting for their turn to enter the temple.<br />
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Unfortunately, it was soon time for us to venture on to the next village of Zinacatan. Johanna bargained with one of the local taxi drives and soon the five of us were crammed, or jammed into a taxi. Very cosy.<br />
<h1><br />
</h1>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-76755314329699878772011-02-15T01:48:00.000-08:002011-02-15T01:52:26.126-08:00Feliz Navidad, Christmas in Chiapas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6-bBcE2YX4/TVpGUbvrTyI/AAAAAAAAAzk/bks3O21NsPc/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6-bBcE2YX4/TVpGUbvrTyI/AAAAAAAAAzk/bks3O21NsPc/s200/DSC_0123.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>Guess what Santy found me!!! He left me a nice silver bracelet featuring symbols from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar">Mayan Calender</a>. How did he know. Well it was a long night!! unfortunately our hotel is very close to one of the Mayan Churches and the night was filled with the echoes of drums, dancing, church bells and fireworks as locals celebrated Christmas Mayan style.<br />
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To make matters worse, for some reason the hotel had not turned on the hot water for the wing of the hotel we were in. Now cold showers are OK when your in the tropics, but when your freezing your butt off in Chiapas in winter, it just isn't funny!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FM0rsxkbxM/TVpHDTycIxI/AAAAAAAAAzo/Oiw5VuvcYIM/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FM0rsxkbxM/TVpHDTycIxI/AAAAAAAAAzo/Oiw5VuvcYIM/s200/DSC_0121.JPG" width="132" /></a> After a very invigorating <i>dash</i> under the shower, (<i>dash</i>, as in there was no way I was staying in that icy water for too long), we headed to the dining room for huevos ranchos and some nice strong black coffee.<br />
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After our breakfast, we met up with the rest of the group and Johanna, ready to do some exploring of a couple of the villages outside of San Christobal. We took the scenic route through town to find a local transport company that would provide part of our transport. The reason for the scenic trip was that Johanna wasn't all that sure where the bus depot was, however, after asking a few locals we finally found the buses.<br />
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Well, I am using the word buses very literally, the small parking lot had around 5 very old and well worn combie type buses. We clambered aboard a little blue one which was ominously names "<i>The Titanic"</i>. We were soon on our way to our first destination, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamula">San Juan Chamula</a> which is about 10 kms from San Christobal. In spite of its name our little bus successfully made it's way up the steep mountain roads, through the pine forests to the quaint village of San Juan Chamula.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-88758559237159842822011-02-14T02:49:00.000-08:002011-02-14T02:49:36.854-08:00San Christobal de las Casas and Goodbye Paulina, hello Johana<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXNwTvRhwZs/TVkFJVvjc1I/AAAAAAAAAzM/Mn3uOwM_lNg/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXNwTvRhwZs/TVkFJVvjc1I/AAAAAAAAAzM/Mn3uOwM_lNg/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza San Cristobal de las Casas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a very long day's travel we finally arrived in <a href="http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0601/sancristobal.html">San Cristobal de las Casas</a>. Our hotel was very close to the centre of town, so after finding our rooms, digging out all the warm gear we could find we headed out to explore the charming streets. It was freezing outside!!!!! (and for that fact, in our hotel as well). <br />
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The downtown area was ablaze with Christmas lights and the streets were bustling with tourist and locals taking in the sights and doing their last minute shopping. We spent some time checking out the markets in front of the main church and listening to a band who were braving the cold to entertain the Christmas eve crowds. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpY8RPVGWik/TVkISqjmayI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/uyZViYlhAiI/s1600/DSC_0128a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpY8RPVGWik/TVkISqjmayI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/uyZViYlhAiI/s200/DSC_0128a.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><br />
That evening we met with Paulina and our new tour guide Johanna for dinner. It was sad to say goodbye to Paulina as she had looked after us really well, with patience and humour. Johanna seemed very pleasant and keen to show us around. We all headed to our beds early, tired and seeking warmth. It seemed strange that tomorrow was Christmas Day. As I nodded off to sleep, I wondered what our families back in Australia were doing. I wonder if Santa will find me this year!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-81880093378933378172011-02-14T02:11:00.000-08:002011-02-14T03:36:37.581-08:00And Then There Were Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wVzgaHP9tE/TVj7H7TXWTI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vcPlV-1ox2Q/s1600/DSC_0555a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wVzgaHP9tE/TVj7H7TXWTI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vcPlV-1ox2Q/s320/DSC_0555a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><b>Christmas Eve, Border crossings, Southern Mexico, San Cristobal de las Casas</b></i><br />
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Today was our last day in Guadalajara and our last day with Paulina. It was very strange to only have the five of us waiting in the foyer of the hotel for our bus. The rest of the group would be on their way to Honduras today.<br />
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It was an early start, and the hotel had kindly arranged a breakfast to go (sandwich, juice and some fruit). We were soon cramped into a small bus with a couple of other backpackers and winding our way up from Lake Atitlan to the highlands. The Misty Volcanoes soon disappeared from our view. After about three hours of hair raising driving we arrived at the border crossing into Mexico. This was a much busier crossing than our previous ones. <br />
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Backpacks in tow, we quickly clambered out of our transportation and lined up at the Guatemalan side of the crossing, armed with passports and the appropriate amount of "corruption money". As this process was to take considerable time, we had time to observe the scene around us. A large bustling conglomeration of stalls and stands selling anything you could think of, catering for the mobile crowd making the border crossing. Stray dogs, beggars, cars loaded with locals filled the muddy streets.<br />
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Then we were witness to a very interesting group making the crossing in the opposite direction. If I didn't know better I could have thought I had been caught in a time warp from the 60-70s. A large brightly painted bus, pulling a very large and over load trailer pulled up out the front guards office. Tied to the top of the bus was a collection of artifacts, ranging from stoves, chickens, tables. As we stood with our mouths open, a group of about 30 clambered out of the bus, and lined up behind us. Woodstock, revisited, cheesecloth, dreadlocks, peace man!! The group consisted of men, women and children within the age groups of late 50's to 1-2 years old. Oh, boy, I am so glad we were in front of this line, otherwise it would have been ages before we were processed.<br />
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After a very entertaining hour waiting in the line, we finally had our passports checked, stamped and signed. Time to pick up the backpacks and make the 200 metre walk across the border to our next bus. Much to our delight this bus was much newer and we had it all to ourselves. We were soon making our way through to the Mexican Border office about 2kms away. Yes another line, more stamps and more money!!! Finally we were through and on our way to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-793033525263944452011-02-14T01:24:00.000-08:002011-02-14T01:26:01.541-08:00Goodbye Guatemala -some pictorial memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ5RK_KZXI/AAAAAAAAAy0/dEpRLzl8wO4/s1600/DSC_0014v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ5RK_KZXI/AAAAAAAAAy0/dEpRLzl8wO4/s400/DSC_0014v.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ5cCTTl3I/AAAAAAAAAy4/a8ZibFFtfGE/s1600/DSC_0024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ5cCTTl3I/AAAAAAAAAy4/a8ZibFFtfGE/s400/DSC_0024a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ55YPkG1I/AAAAAAAAAy8/utkGioulPVQ/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ55YPkG1I/AAAAAAAAAy8/utkGioulPVQ/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ7n5aKa7I/AAAAAAAAAzE/sEpOqeoiQ8I/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJ7n5aKa7I/AAAAAAAAAzE/sEpOqeoiQ8I/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-34972373900753485712011-02-09T02:41:00.000-08:002011-02-09T02:41:50.642-08:00Chichicastenango - shopping at the markets and goodbyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJoEdZU7bI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v6THQ2nh8Dw/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJoEdZU7bI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v6THQ2nh8Dw/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today is the last day that all our group will be together and what better place to spend our last day with our new travelling buddies than bustling markets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichicastenango">Chichicastenango</a>. This colourful highland town is a central hub for all the villages in the area, and its famous market is where all the villagers meet to sell their wares. This market is the largest market in Guatemala and many tourists flock here to buy authentic Guatemalan artifacts.<br />
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Steve and I literally extended our elbows, and pushed our way through the milling crowd. The fact that it was two days before Christmas must have added to the density of the stalls and crowd. An area of about 6 blocks was packed with stalls selling just about anything you could think of. Beautiful rugs, hand embroidered clothing, hand woven shawls, jewelry, wraps, flowers, fruit, veg, meat and of course fireworks!!! One area of the market we walked through was dedicated to fireworks for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. There were crackers, sparklers and some the biggest double bungers (or crackers) I have ever seen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJpomLY_PI/AAAAAAAAAyo/GU12O12JCfU/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJpomLY_PI/AAAAAAAAAyo/GU12O12JCfU/s200/DSC_0015.JPG" width="132" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJrbrVKUdI/AAAAAAAAAys/7srh9266MuU/s1600/DSC_0048a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJrbrVKUdI/AAAAAAAAAys/7srh9266MuU/s200/DSC_0048a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We managed to make our way through to the plaza and the main Mayan Church. The steps of the church were awash with colour as groups of women sat selling flowers of all colours. Taking care to pay respect to the locals, we entered the church which practiced the traditional form of Mayan religion. (a mix of their traditional gods and Christianity). It was very interesting inside. The furnishings were very sparse, and many family groups in groups on the floor, lighting candles and making offerings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJulNSE5TI/AAAAAAAAAyw/HF-U4DYmeTE/s1600/DSC_0024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJulNSE5TI/AAAAAAAAAyw/HF-U4DYmeTE/s320/DSC_0024a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The markets were actually a little overwhelming, so much colour, noise, and the constant haggling of the stall owners wanting you to buy their goods. After, spending a couple of hours mingling with the crowds, we decided to seek a little refuge at a restaurant on the first floor of a building in the main street. We sat on a small balcony, sipping a cold beer, watching the crowd go about its business. Fascinating!!<br />
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Noon, was soon upon us, and it was time for the last supper (lunch anyway) with all the group. After, lunch we all walked back to the bus stop where the majority of the group caught a bus back to Antigua. From here they were going to continue their trip down to Costa Rica. The remaining five, Paulina, Steve and I and two others caught a small bus back to our hotel in Panajachel for our last night in Guatemala. Tomorrow, it would be time to head back to Mexico and more adventures.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-44877986982312908792011-02-09T01:12:00.000-08:002011-02-09T01:12:09.673-08:00A Day on Lake Atitlan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJQ7NMkTSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/XOAgZ1F_-L0/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJQ7NMkTSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/XOAgZ1F_-L0/s200/DSC_0575.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJQUiZoBvI/AAAAAAAAAyI/4WI4P1TOVzQ/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJQUiZoBvI/AAAAAAAAAyI/4WI4P1TOVzQ/s200/DSC_0569.JPG" width="200" /></a>After a chilly night, and a not so hot shower, we made our way down to the edge of the lake and clambered on board the two boats that would take us to visit three communities on the edge of the lake.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJTbOofmiI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/eFr-RM6ih0U/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJTbOofmiI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/eFr-RM6ih0U/s200/DSC_0615.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worker bring coffee beans </td></tr>
</tbody></table>As we raced across the glassy clear water, the view of the three misty volcanoes towering over the lakes was stunning. Our two boats made their way, neck and neck, skimming across the lake to the first village that we were to visit.<br />
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Some of the group did a tour of the village and its small galleries while a small group of us did a short tour of a coffee cooperative with a local guide. Unfortunately for our group our guide advised us that he only spoke spanish so I some how was elected as the official translator.<br />
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Quite a challenge!! especially as even though our guide said he couldn't speak english, he certainly understood english and listened to everything I said. He was quick to give the nod of approval if I managed to convey the correct translation. If I missed something, he would repeat the spanish for me to have another try. The tour was very interesting, and the guide was so proud of their achievements and took his job so seriously. The tour was finished off with a delicious and very strong cup of their coffee.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJVMjwFOPI/AAAAAAAAAyU/aA0NOhAByWk/s1600/DSC_0635a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJVMjwFOPI/AAAAAAAAAyU/aA0NOhAByWk/s200/DSC_0635a.jpg" width="139" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJWGLxYo_I/AAAAAAAAAyY/teg8pvRG-LQ/s1600/DSC_0628a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJWGLxYo_I/AAAAAAAAAyY/teg8pvRG-LQ/s200/DSC_0628a.jpg" width="200" /></a>We then joined the rest of the group and made our way to the next island. Here we had morning tea (more coffee) and wandered (our should I say climbed) up the very steep streets to their local market. <br />
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All the women were dressed in traditional costumes. The colours and hand woven fabrics were so pretty, especially when you saw a group of women all together going about their daily routine.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJXAjJwmsI/AAAAAAAAAyc/6T_MBGhTTZo/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJXAjJwmsI/AAAAAAAAAyc/6T_MBGhTTZo/s200/DSC_0676.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJXDKRaEKI/AAAAAAAAAyg/h--x_LbgZYk/s1600/DSC_0688a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TVJXDKRaEKI/AAAAAAAAAyg/h--x_LbgZYk/s200/DSC_0688a.jpg" width="200" /></a>Soon Paulina was gathering us all up, and heading us down the hill to the boats for the next village where we were to have lunch. Some of the group did a tour after lunch in the local tuktuks, but we chose to wander the streets, checking out the local plaza, church and shops selling the local products. Then we made our way down to the jetty and watched the locals paddling around in the lake, fishing while we waited for the rest of the group to join us. Around mid afternoon we headed back across the lake to the village of Panajachel, and our hotel.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-10985893919639163062011-01-24T11:26:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:26:41.823-08:00Back to the travel stories - Lake Atitlan, Guatamala<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TT3OpkwxfBI/AAAAAAAAAx8/fdGvGB6C8aQ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TT3OpkwxfBI/AAAAAAAAAx8/fdGvGB6C8aQ/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From Antigua we travelled north into the highlands of Guatamala to<a href="http://www.atitlan.net/"> Lake Atitlan</a>. The lake is a caldera (collapsed volcanic ring) which is surrounded by three huge volcanoes that loom over a number of small mayan villages that the dot the shores of the lake. We are going to be spending three days in the village of<a href="http://www.panajachel.com/aboutpanajachel.htm"> Panajechel</a> (one of these small picturesque villages).<br />
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There is a noticeable drop in the temperature and it is time to pull out the jumpers and coats for our evening strolls along the main street of Panajechel as we check out the numerous stalls and shops selling mayan artifacts, handicrafts and clothing. A few of us found a small quiet pub, and took advantage of happy hour to embibe in some very good dark rum and coke before joining the others at an Argentinian restaurant for a very yummy dinner (sometimes you need a change from tacos!!!). We spent a couple of very pleasant hours in the restaurant being entertained by a couple of expat american rockers on guitars singing all the old songs from 60s-70's (and a few from the 80's). Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-90309898023451928632011-01-24T10:51:00.000-08:002011-01-24T10:51:36.799-08:00My Last Day in GuadalajaraWow!! As this is kind of a special day, I am going to make a slight detour from my travel stories and to contemplate my last day in Mexico. Steve and I are sitting up on the terrace outside our room at Helga's, checking emails and writing last minute good byes. Our bags are almost packed, just those few last minute things to shove in. For me it is a very strange feeling, and I can't believe that six months has past. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TT3ERU0kKcI/AAAAAAAAAx4/lvogdbC5HWk/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TT3ERU0kKcI/AAAAAAAAAx4/lvogdbC5HWk/s200/DSC_0003.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>This morning we wandered down to our favorite coffee shop (Cioccolato) for a last coffee and to say good by the young couple that have served us regularly. Over the past 6 months I have spent considerable time, sipping coffee here, reading my research papers, taking spanish conversation classes (very close to the spanish school), writing reports, answering emails and chatting with friends. Cioccalato also became one of Steve's favorite places and it was here that he would sometimes pass the time while I was attending classes. <br />
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As I write Helga and Feli are very busy downstairs, in the kitchen preparing our final lunch with them. I am really going to miss them. I wonder what Mexican delights they are preparing. We will be summoned at around 2.00pm when it is already, and will eat our way through three courses, with wine or beer and finish off with coffee and Helga's famous german marzipan. I have been very fortunate to have been able to stay here, it certainly made my settling into and stay in Guadalajara much easier than it could have been.<br />
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On reflection the first 4-5 months was a very intense experience and most of the time was fully focused on getting through the work I had to do. Besides the research project and papers for my degree at UTS, I had 6 hours of Uni on thursdays, which involved reading and summaries of articles (in spanish) every week. Also for most of this time I was attending spanish classes for four hours a day (also with homework, exams and presentations). I do recall a couple of times when I felt I just wasn't going to get through it all. I guess the trick is to not look at the big picture and just take it all little by little.<br />
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I think one of the most amazing parts of my time here was the opportunity to visit the small villages in the south of Jalisco with the people from CAMPO. I was lucky enough to visit this area three times, and these visits provided me with most of the data for my masters research project. It was these visits that helped me understand a lot more about the people of mexico, and to see another side of the lives of the rural mexican people. Something that you do not experience if you are just staying in the cities.<br />
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The second big highlight of my time here was when I had finally finished all the research writing, exams and spanish presentations and I was able to travel with my husband to see and experience other parts of Mexico. If you have been following my blog, you will have read some of these stories. (there are more to come).<br />
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All in all, it has been an amazing learning process and experience, but now though I am a little sad to leave, I have to admit that at the moment, I am ready to be back home and to catch up with family and friends. Hopefully, in the future I will be able to return and be able to visit some of the other places in Mexico that I didn't have time for on this trip.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-57508822104632760162011-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:002011-01-23T10:31:34.215-08:00Volcanoes and my second tripping episode!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtnNMFCA5I/AAAAAAAAAxo/Z8ynpKGOMno/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtnNMFCA5I/AAAAAAAAAxo/Z8ynpKGOMno/s200/DSC_0428.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>One of the side trips that was offered while we were in Antigua was to climb up to near the summit of one of the local volcanoes. We had an early morning start, with our guides meeting us with our shuttle bus at the front of our hotel. Steve was a little amazed to notice that our guide, while directing everyone on to the bus, put on a gun belt (with bullets) and pulled out a sawn off shotgutn from under his seat. (mmm!!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtsBA26g7I/AAAAAAAAAx0/nK_DViZxg-8/s1600/DSC_0442a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtsBA26g7I/AAAAAAAAAx0/nK_DViZxg-8/s200/DSC_0442a.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>The trip to the start of our walk took about an hour. Once our two small vans had arrived we were offered the option of riding horses for part of the way, which a couple of the group did and a small boy was selling sticks for $1 US to help us on our walk up and up. One of the group enquired on the reason for the gun, and we were advised by the guide (with a very sly grin), that he was going to do some rabbit shooting. No actually, over the recent months some tourist groups had been target by local insurgents and robbed!! Nice to know.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtpeD3JIDI/AAAAAAAAAxs/c4Nlh5ly8As/s1600/DSC_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtpeD3JIDI/AAAAAAAAAxs/c4Nlh5ly8As/s200/DSC_0432.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We started our slow ascent up, and up!!! it was quite a walk but the views were really something. On either side of us we could see volcanoes. The one that we were climbing, had erupted in March of 2010, and the eruption was so strong that it blew the cone out of the top of the volcano. Hence, the V shape at the top of the volcano. The first part of the trip was walking up on sandy ground, however soon we came to the lava fields and walking on this was a different matter. The scenerey changed from the green farm land to that of a lunar scape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtrfeUxOQI/AAAAAAAAAxw/g4vZYxqfOlA/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtrfeUxOQI/AAAAAAAAAxw/g4vZYxqfOlA/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>As you can imagine, I had the camera out snapping away, and as we crossed a section that was quite flat, I stepped on a chuck dry lava!! yes !! with no style at all!! smash I was on the ground (well the very rough and sharp lava). Somehow, I managed to hold the camera up and save it from the similar fate that it had experienced in my previous fall. However, I coudln't say the same for my hand and elbow, nice grazes, plus a bump on the head. (so embarassing!!). Dr Steve soon same to my rescue and with some good old teatree oil and some bandaids from another member of the group I was all patched up. Just in time to see everyone, cooking toast and roasting marshmallows over one of the volcano vents.<br />
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In all the trip was very interesting and as one of the guides advised me it was a once in a life time experience. I made great friends with this guide, and we managed to have a long conversation, which was a mix of spanish and sign language. He told me stories of the area and previous eruptions and of local old wise men who can predict when the next eruption is going to be. He was such a cute little man, and I think he was happy to have someone who knew a tiny bit of spanish to chat with.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-8225162647087958152011-01-22T15:18:00.000-08:002011-01-22T15:18:54.738-08:00Antigua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtgdMdd_uI/AAAAAAAAAxc/FoKMxfF8DCo/s1600/DSC_0364a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtgdMdd_uI/AAAAAAAAAxc/FoKMxfF8DCo/s320/DSC_0364a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wow anyone visiting central america much put this place on their list. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_Guatemala">Antigua</a> is a beautifuly restored town nestled in a valley and surrounded by three active volcanoes.<br />
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For a smallish town, there is a lot of hustle and bustle. The central focus of the town is the plaza, with its huge fountain in the centre. The plaza is full of tourists and locals, taking in the sites, selling their handcrafts, trying to clean tourist shoes etc.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTti657nzwI/AAAAAAAAAxg/Pt5k7Ws3t5k/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTti657nzwI/AAAAAAAAAxg/Pt5k7Ws3t5k/s200/DSC_0494.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I spend some very restful time on one of the park bench watching the world go by and taking pictures, and of course practicing my "no gracias" as the children and women tried to sell you anything from "pot" to potholders. As our trip was progressing we were beginning to notice that Steve seemed to be the person targeted for "special sales"!! ( he he). While sitting on the parkbench, one of the boys who wandered the plaza, cleaning shoes, offered to polish the soles of Steve's Teeva's (sandals). He certainly must have been having a bad day.<br />
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This was also the time when the opportunity to partake of the other "tripping" definition arose. In the two and a half days we spent in Antigua, wandering the streets, Steve was offered "pot" and "weed" on numerous occasions. (Yes sometimes from the shoeshine boys, who looked all of 10 years old). Maybe they thought he was an old rocker from the 60's!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtjtZg2LkI/AAAAAAAAAxk/nTuoR1oQGnU/s1600/DSC_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTtjtZg2LkI/AAAAAAAAAxk/nTuoR1oQGnU/s200/DSC_0519.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>Antigua was one of my favourite towns on our visit, eventhough it was a bit touristy. We took lots of photos and managed to spend a little of our savings on some very nice local handicrafts.<br />
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In Antigua we also had to say goodbye to a couple of the members of our group, and welcome a couple of new members. So it was in order to all have a welcome, farewell dinner. Following the dinner a group of us ventured out to find a local night spot for a couple of drinks. Acutally we found this quite difficult. It seems that everything in Antigua closes down quite early. We eventually found a small restuarant/bar and had a few quite ones to celebrate our time in a beautiful little town.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-24338016330953444362011-01-20T15:11:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:11:23.142-08:00A long night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTjAhN23rjI/AAAAAAAAAxY/vIESDMBf13c/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTjAhN23rjI/AAAAAAAAAxY/vIESDMBf13c/s320/DSC_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a long day of exploring the ruins of Tikal, it was time to return to Flores, pack our bags and wait for our transfer to the overnight bus to Guatamala City. No cumfy bed tonight!!! Just the fold out bus seat as we make our way across Guatamala to our next stop. It certainly was a long night, made even longer by the rustling of plastic bags by an elderly couple sitting across from us!!. We managed a few cat naps along the way and finally arrived into Guatamala city in the early hours of the morning.<br />
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A very bleary eyed group of travellers stumbled off the bus, grabbed thier backpacks and shuffled through the crowds of taxi drivers, hawkers etc to the small shuttle bus that would take us through to Antigua. The trip was about an hour, so it wasn't too long and we were bumping along the cobbled streets past all the brightly painted house to our hotel in Antigua. I think I am going to enjoying visiting this town, especially after I have had some breakfast and a bit of a cat nap.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-84858823291759182582011-01-20T14:48:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:12:57.756-08:00Tikal - Indiana Jones eat your heart out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi5fdrQu1I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/zIGEWlmlXsw/s1600/DSC_0285a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi5fdrQu1I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/zIGEWlmlXsw/s200/DSC_0285a.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi6FVaFMeI/AAAAAAAAAxU/41k-3-bdc6o/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi6FVaFMeI/AAAAAAAAAxU/41k-3-bdc6o/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" width="320" /></b></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi5TkDYi4I/AAAAAAAAAxM/igYxIgFlhVU/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi5TkDYi4I/AAAAAAAAAxM/igYxIgFlhVU/s320/DSC_0316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi37m08J9I/AAAAAAAAAxE/O83kocuoLXA/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi4zoJzjaI/AAAAAAAAAxI/0n-jN9dDBYE/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi4zoJzjaI/AAAAAAAAAxI/0n-jN9dDBYE/s200/DSC_0220.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTi37m08J9I/AAAAAAAAAxE/O83kocuoLXA/s320/DSC_0256.JPG" width="320" />Today we are off to visit the Mayan site of Tikal. We had lots of fun climbing up ladders that would make any safety and health officer scratch his head, wandering around and climbing pyramids, sitting on blocks that were once used as chopping blocks (yep, sacrifices, yep human!!!).<br />
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<b>I think today I will let the pictures do the talking. </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-46187124724230635862011-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:002011-01-23T16:42:56.829-08:00Guatamala BoundOur time on the sleepy island of Caye Caulker was over. Fred was there bright and early to take our bags down to the ferry. As we all strolled along the sandy streets past all the colurful shops and homes, we all commented on how we could have easily spent another couple of days chilling out here. We were soon crammed onto the ferry with all the locals going to the mainland for school and work.<br />
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Once we arrived back in Belize city we had a couple of hours wait before our bus picked us up for the trip through to Guatamala. Unluckily for some of us as Montazeuma's Revenge was about to hit a number of the tour group (me included). It seemed that those of us who had shrimp with our lobster dinner at Happy Mick's restaurant the night before were to suffer the consequences. Luckily the effects were not long lasting!!!<br />
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Once on our bus, we headed through the lush country side, and into the jungle and mountains towards Guatamala. The border crossing here was not quite so easy, as the appropriate <i>corruption money</i> had to be payed before our passports were stamped. Paulina advised that the amount of <i>corruption money</i> needed fluctuated each time she went through, depending on the whim of the guards at the time. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdxSMWXfOI/AAAAAAAAAw8/BCUIyZVo060/s1600/DSC_0165a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdxSMWXfOI/AAAAAAAAAw8/BCUIyZVo060/s320/DSC_0165a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Once into Guatamala, there was a noticeable change in the scenery, more jungle and mountains, (and rough roads). We arrived at our destination around 5.00pm. Our accommodation was in the pituresque, cobblestoned town of <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Flores_%28Guatemala%29">Flores</a>. Our tiny little hotel room, (very neat and clean) had an amazing view out to the sunsetting over Lake Petén Itzá.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdxrt4GKlI/AAAAAAAAAxA/qT4JuNRd7UY/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdxrt4GKlI/AAAAAAAAAxA/qT4JuNRd7UY/s200/DSC_0191.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We wandered the circumfrence of the island (only 20 minute walk) before heading into the centre of the village to look at the work of the local Artisians. I love the fabrics and embriodery, it is going to be very hard to resist purchasing lots of this. We found the local plaza and church and were lucky enough to see a wedding party lined up in front of the church. The bridemaids were all fussing over the bride befoe she entered the church.<br />
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The main form of transport around the island was the tuktuk, they scurried everywhere, carrying people and goods from one place to another.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085627460358951381.post-54328773482081286662011-01-19T14:45:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:32:08.700-08:00Swimming with Sharks and Stingrays!!!! (and more chilling out in the Caribbean)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdksKJ1KfI/AAAAAAAAAww/ACnhRT4vXZc/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdksKJ1KfI/AAAAAAAAAww/ACnhRT4vXZc/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">funky shops in the main drag of Caye Caulker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Day two on the laid back caribbean island of Caye Caulker!! and Yes!! I have been silly enough to book on a snorkling tour, which includes swimming with sharks and stingrays. We will have to see about that!! The few of us who were venturing out onto the reef met at Mario's dive shop (shack). Mario, short round man dressed only in a pair of baggy shorts, has to be the islands local comedian, and had a joke for everyone. We were fitted with flippers and snorkles, and I was lucky enough to be able to get goggles with optical lenses. I was going to be able to see this time!!!<br />
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Mario and his helper guided us down to his little boat and helped us aboard and we headed to our first dive spot. With much trepidation I donned all my gear, and jumped in. Please let me be able to do it this time!! Amazing, the mask fitted, no water seeping in, and not only was I able to breath, I could see as well. Double bonus!! Mario guided us over the reef, pointing out different fish, stingrays etc. After about an hour we all clambered back into the boat and headed to the second dive spot. (the shark and stingray spot). MMmmm. I think I will just watch a bit first.<br />
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Mario and his helper threw some food in and the stingrays all rushed in hundreds of them milling around the boat. I watched from the side of the boat as everyone jumped in and all seemed to be having fun. Well here goes. In I jumped. Well I must clarify one point the sharks were only little reef sharks, but still!! well, the stingrays just swam around us, under us and over the top. They were all a smoky blue colour and there were so many of them. Unfortunately, I don't have an underwater camera, so no pictures this time. It was a very cool experience.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdn8m9DPLI/AAAAAAAAAw4/J77gvOjAcAw/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdn8m9DPLI/AAAAAAAAAw4/J77gvOjAcAw/s200/DSC_0097.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdnrR4nnNI/AAAAAAAAAw0/FOGjXXYxoJ4/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuC14pD926M/TTdnrR4nnNI/AAAAAAAAAw0/FOGjXXYxoJ4/s200/DSC_0085.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From here we swam at another reef before heading back to the island for more relaxing, eating and of course another visit to the Lizard Bar in the evening. I am going to be sad to say good by to this totally chilled out and colourful island.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747734897778712396noreply@blogger.com0