Last Day: Volleyball & Kids :)
Paragraph.
Yum, Ceviche, Teacher, and Chichen in the Dark
Mmmmm.... Ceviche :) (and Sol)
Walked in to Piste tonight in the rain. It was wonderful, as usual. I spent way too much of Troy's money buying school supplies for the kids of my friends here. I want to leave everyone a little gift. And, instead of giving Julio the rest of his tip for cleaning my room; I bought a Shreck 3 Backpack for his little boy and a couple of really cool holographic notebooks with sports figures on them.
While eating, Laura walked by on the street and shouted "Teacher!!!" And waited for me to come out and hug her :)
While walking back into Piste, a random young man decided to help me with all of my packages. He carried the great big bag with the backpack in one hand, and drove his bike with the other while we cut through Chichen in the dark in the drizzle.
While eating, Laura walked by on the street and shouted "Teacher!!!" And waited for me to come out and hug her :)
While walking back into Piste, a random young man decided to help me with all of my packages. He carried the great big bag with the backpack in one hand, and drove his bike with the other while we cut through Chichen in the dark in the drizzle.
Balankanche
After work, Tio drove Julio, Max, and me to Balankanche; and we all checked it out. Of course the guys knew the guys who worked there; so they were free. It was absolutely amazing. There was minimal oxygen. There was oxygen near the beginning, but as you walk farther in, it became harder and harder to breathe. The man of the couple that went through with us said "Damn, I wish I didn't smoke..." -- even with my asthma, it wasn't that bad as soon as we got out of the very end. Apparently it is 900 Meters deep/long -- so we actually walked under Xcalacoop, where the kids (and the guys) live. Really great! I knew the pictures wouldn't do it justice; but I couldn't resist taking them. They didn't... but I am glad I have them for memories.
The story is that in the time of the Ancients, the young men would enter this cave looking for the tree between the water and the earth. As the cave system apparently stretches from Chichen, through Coba, to Tulum,the system is over 100 Km. long with myriad passageways to get lost in. The tree in the photo is the official Sacred Ceiba tree that the young men were expected to find. They were overjoyed when they did find it (without maps or flashlights...); and left offerings. As new offerings are found, they are cataloged, and placed in rows near the cenote. (There are 2 pics of the offerings.)
There are shrimp in the cenote! I don't know enough about science to figure that out; but it was wild!
Today the guys were talking about alooshes (sort-of leprechauns) from being in the cenote yesterday :)
The story is that in the time of the Ancients, the young men would enter this cave looking for the tree between the water and the earth. As the cave system apparently stretches from Chichen, through Coba, to Tulum,the system is over 100 Km. long with myriad passageways to get lost in. The tree in the photo is the official Sacred Ceiba tree that the young men were expected to find. They were overjoyed when they did find it (without maps or flashlights...); and left offerings. As new offerings are found, they are cataloged, and placed in rows near the cenote. (There are 2 pics of the offerings.)
There are shrimp in the cenote! I don't know enough about science to figure that out; but it was wild!
Today the guys were talking about alooshes (sort-of leprechauns) from being in the cenote yesterday :)
Living in the Florists' Shop... :)
Last Day With the Kids -- Left the Camera at the Hacienda...
Cenote Ik' Kil
Julio, Adrian @ Ik ' Kil
Monday, August 16, 2010
Breakfast as usual J I told the guys that I wanted to go to a cenote nearby; and Julio started rattling off who would have tomorrow off, and who would be off on Wednesday… I said – well, it’s just 500 Meters down the road and it doesn’t close until 5 – anybody could come. Alright then. The two guys nearest to me claimed it; and Julio and Adrian accompanied me to the cenote.
Of course the best pictures were taken with the underwater camera; so I can’t share them yet. I am not in any of the photos. We had an awesome time!
The hotel is full; and 19 of the rooms are from France. 4 are from other; and I am me. So, there was not much for me to do around here this evening. I walked in to Piste just to pass the time.
I bought hardware to hang my new hammock.
Decided I would drink a beer on the roof of a restaurant where I could see that there were people. I asked to go up and the man told me I didn’t want to. I told him that I really did want to. He told me that there was no food. I said that I really just wanted to pass the time and drink a beer… Finally, he said: Just do whatever you want. I walked up the stairs (in the US, it’s a fire escape; but they have it rigged to be down permanently…) and lo and behold, there are about 40 guys drinking beer and No women. I guess he was right that I didn’t really want to go up… As my gaze was working it’s way from the left to right of the room, I saw the last table and one of my friends from the Hacienda was sitting there. So, I sat down with him and his friends and drank beer. They did have food, but just the tiny trays of snacks they bring around with beer. Anyway, it was Absolutely fabulous! I didn’t take any pictures because the establishment was officially closed. Also, I think It’s permanently closed to gringos… So I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I already was. But, it was so pretty with the palapa roof and hanging lanterns for light. Whenever an old-fashioned Mexican song came on, there were a few people who work as dancers for the tourists, and they would get up and dance for fun with each other and their friends. Even I danced a few times. It was great.
I arranged a taxi to take me and whoever else fits in to Cancun on Thursday – leaving at 6 AM – hanging out on the beach from 8:30 – 10:30—dropping me off at the airport, and coming home.
Tonigh, J.Inez was telling me how much they are going to miss me. The extraneros (Americans) are always around, but nobody shares their confidences and spends time with them and their families and they will miss me when I’m gone. It was nice to hear.
Now, It’s 11:42, and I’m sitting In the dark terrace outside of the bar, typing.
I’m uploading pictures from today. I have a few from around here that I’m not going to upload tonight, but I will get to them eventually. I was thinking that all of these pictures are of handsome guys. I’m not picking them that way; but perhaps it is a pre-requisite for hiring them…
Breakfast as usual J I told the guys that I wanted to go to a cenote nearby; and Julio started rattling off who would have tomorrow off, and who would be off on Wednesday… I said – well, it’s just 500 Meters down the road and it doesn’t close until 5 – anybody could come. Alright then. The two guys nearest to me claimed it; and Julio and Adrian accompanied me to the cenote.
Of course the best pictures were taken with the underwater camera; so I can’t share them yet. I am not in any of the photos. We had an awesome time!
The hotel is full; and 19 of the rooms are from France. 4 are from other; and I am me. So, there was not much for me to do around here this evening. I walked in to Piste just to pass the time.
I bought hardware to hang my new hammock.
Decided I would drink a beer on the roof of a restaurant where I could see that there were people. I asked to go up and the man told me I didn’t want to. I told him that I really did want to. He told me that there was no food. I said that I really just wanted to pass the time and drink a beer… Finally, he said: Just do whatever you want. I walked up the stairs (in the US, it’s a fire escape; but they have it rigged to be down permanently…) and lo and behold, there are about 40 guys drinking beer and No women. I guess he was right that I didn’t really want to go up… As my gaze was working it’s way from the left to right of the room, I saw the last table and one of my friends from the Hacienda was sitting there. So, I sat down with him and his friends and drank beer. They did have food, but just the tiny trays of snacks they bring around with beer. Anyway, it was Absolutely fabulous! I didn’t take any pictures because the establishment was officially closed. Also, I think It’s permanently closed to gringos… So I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I already was. But, it was so pretty with the palapa roof and hanging lanterns for light. Whenever an old-fashioned Mexican song came on, there were a few people who work as dancers for the tourists, and they would get up and dance for fun with each other and their friends. Even I danced a few times. It was great.
I arranged a taxi to take me and whoever else fits in to Cancun on Thursday – leaving at 6 AM – hanging out on the beach from 8:30 – 10:30—dropping me off at the airport, and coming home.
Tonigh, J.Inez was telling me how much they are going to miss me. The extraneros (Americans) are always around, but nobody shares their confidences and spends time with them and their families and they will miss me when I’m gone. It was nice to hear.
Now, It’s 11:42, and I’m sitting In the dark terrace outside of the bar, typing.
I’m uploading pictures from today. I have a few from around here that I’m not going to upload tonight, but I will get to them eventually. I was thinking that all of these pictures are of handsome guys. I’m not picking them that way; but perhaps it is a pre-requisite for hiring them…
Cisnos = Swans
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Today was a fairly beautiful day of rest. I was planning to go into Xcalacoop to teach Sunday School for 7 PM; but a storm started around 5:30. I waited around until 6:30 before I braved the storm to ask the receptionist to call a cab. Of course the phone didn’t work because of the rain. I threw the towel over my head again; and walked barefoot out the driveway to look for taxis. Of course there were not any. Dejected after spending a half hour trying to accomplish a simple task and failing; I flung my supplies in my room, put on my sandals for canoeing, and marched over to Jim’s hut with the towel on my head.
My disappointment at letting down the children waned while we talked in English in the dark hut in the rain.
When I left the hut, I swung by the bodega (maintenance shed) – there are only so many places where one is welcomed with a white bath towel over her head… and hung-out for a while with Santos. He explained how the laundry guy was going to tell his dad to come to pick him up because there wouldn’t be any taxis in the rain; and of course the phones wouldn’t work. So… all of my problems could have been avoided with a little careful planning ;) But, who knew?!
Still working on the novel Charleston. It is actually an enjoyable novel. I have just been so busy with adventures lately that I haven’t had much time to read – which, of course, is awesome.
I was enjoying the storm on my hammock and didn’t know that my room was halfway flooded! Luckily, I had a flock of towel swans that I dismembered and flung on the floor to mop-up the puddles ;) I felt badly about ripping their little bud-eyes out of their heads – usually I don’t take them apart, but leave them for the guys to dismember the following day.
Today was a fairly beautiful day of rest. I was planning to go into Xcalacoop to teach Sunday School for 7 PM; but a storm started around 5:30. I waited around until 6:30 before I braved the storm to ask the receptionist to call a cab. Of course the phone didn’t work because of the rain. I threw the towel over my head again; and walked barefoot out the driveway to look for taxis. Of course there were not any. Dejected after spending a half hour trying to accomplish a simple task and failing; I flung my supplies in my room, put on my sandals for canoeing, and marched over to Jim’s hut with the towel on my head.
My disappointment at letting down the children waned while we talked in English in the dark hut in the rain.
When I left the hut, I swung by the bodega (maintenance shed) – there are only so many places where one is welcomed with a white bath towel over her head… and hung-out for a while with Santos. He explained how the laundry guy was going to tell his dad to come to pick him up because there wouldn’t be any taxis in the rain; and of course the phones wouldn’t work. So… all of my problems could have been avoided with a little careful planning ;) But, who knew?!
Still working on the novel Charleston. It is actually an enjoyable novel. I have just been so busy with adventures lately that I haven’t had much time to read – which, of course, is awesome.
I was enjoying the storm on my hammock and didn’t know that my room was halfway flooded! Luckily, I had a flock of towel swans that I dismembered and flung on the floor to mop-up the puddles ;) I felt badly about ripping their little bud-eyes out of their heads – usually I don’t take them apart, but leave them for the guys to dismember the following day.
Chupacabra
Chupacabra: Alex’s nickname is Chupa (short for chupacabra) – I didn’t have any trouble with blood sucking; also, he is not really as big as a small bear… but he is apparently a mythical creature nonetheless.
Alex’s favorite picture is the picture on the header. I figured it was because it was the only one he took… but Troy said that was his favorite as well. There is just something special about being able to climb the pyramids.
Ek Balam:
Wow! What a gorgeous place! If you only have time to visit one site, I recommend Ek Balam – You can climb the pyramids AND they are HUGE! Obviously, they also have a fabulous cenote. Plus, they have a very tasty restaurant at the cenote that not only serves very cold beer, but offers a palapa “for rest” – that is full of hammocks. So, if you feel like a nap, you may snooze away in the breezy palapa with your cerveza ;)
Oh, we were just hanging out when a little boy jogged over and said "We close at 4" (at 3:55) -- and we were worried about finding a taxi back to Valladolid if we walked the 2.5 km. back to the entrance. So, we took a ride in the little bicycle cart like tourists. It was crazy and embarassing and we had to take a photo :)
Alex’s favorite picture is the picture on the header. I figured it was because it was the only one he took… but Troy said that was his favorite as well. There is just something special about being able to climb the pyramids.
Ek Balam:
Wow! What a gorgeous place! If you only have time to visit one site, I recommend Ek Balam – You can climb the pyramids AND they are HUGE! Obviously, they also have a fabulous cenote. Plus, they have a very tasty restaurant at the cenote that not only serves very cold beer, but offers a palapa “for rest” – that is full of hammocks. So, if you feel like a nap, you may snooze away in the breezy palapa with your cerveza ;)
Oh, we were just hanging out when a little boy jogged over and said "We close at 4" (at 3:55) -- and we were worried about finding a taxi back to Valladolid if we walked the 2.5 km. back to the entrance. So, we took a ride in the little bicycle cart like tourists. It was crazy and embarassing and we had to take a photo :)
Festival in Tizimul
Cenote Dzitnup
5:13 – Celso
6:30 – back to bed
8:45 woke-up again
Ordered breakfast in my pajamas – Fernando and the chef were unable to stifle their giggles. But I did get breakfast on time.
Late to breakfast at 9
The guys wanted me to eat more, but I still didn’t feel well from yesterday. Oh, they were so sweet! “Oh, you’re still a little bit sick” / “Oh, you poor little thing” / “Oh, you’re not accustomed to the heat” / “Oh, you are too fair to be in the heat so long” / “Oh, didn’t you have sunscreen” / “You will feel so much better after you go in the cenote” / “After the cenote, you won’t have any worries” / “Don’t worry, tomorrow, you will be yourself again” – what sweethearts.
[Also, cenotes are widely believed to have healing properties – so in some of their opinions, It was serendipitous that I was ill and headed to cenotes. For the others, they were just thinking about the nice, cool water.]
In Dzitnup, there are two cenotes. Alex and I paid $60 pesos to get there and $64 pesos for each cenote. I also wanted to buy coco’s (coconuts whacked in half with a straw), so… for less than $20, we had an AWESOME time!
There are two cenotes. We entered the first one (obviously underground) and it was beautiful. There are very black catfish swimming all over. It was just ever so cold. We had heard that the other was more open; so we trekked over there, and it was in fact more open (as you can tell from the pictures), but the water was MUCH colder. We still hung-out. In the second one, it was more of a party scene – where as in the first it was more like make-out central…
When we left, we hired a taxi to Ek Balam. The driver charged us M$200—($16 for 20 miles) – and then asked Chupa “What are you doing with a gringa?” It was really funny. I pretended not to hear; but I joked about it later J
6:30 – back to bed
8:45 woke-up again
Ordered breakfast in my pajamas – Fernando and the chef were unable to stifle their giggles. But I did get breakfast on time.
Late to breakfast at 9
The guys wanted me to eat more, but I still didn’t feel well from yesterday. Oh, they were so sweet! “Oh, you’re still a little bit sick” / “Oh, you poor little thing” / “Oh, you’re not accustomed to the heat” / “Oh, you are too fair to be in the heat so long” / “Oh, didn’t you have sunscreen” / “You will feel so much better after you go in the cenote” / “After the cenote, you won’t have any worries” / “Don’t worry, tomorrow, you will be yourself again” – what sweethearts.
[Also, cenotes are widely believed to have healing properties – so in some of their opinions, It was serendipitous that I was ill and headed to cenotes. For the others, they were just thinking about the nice, cool water.]
In Dzitnup, there are two cenotes. Alex and I paid $60 pesos to get there and $64 pesos for each cenote. I also wanted to buy coco’s (coconuts whacked in half with a straw), so… for less than $20, we had an AWESOME time!
There are two cenotes. We entered the first one (obviously underground) and it was beautiful. There are very black catfish swimming all over. It was just ever so cold. We had heard that the other was more open; so we trekked over there, and it was in fact more open (as you can tell from the pictures), but the water was MUCH colder. We still hung-out. In the second one, it was more of a party scene – where as in the first it was more like make-out central…
When we left, we hired a taxi to Ek Balam. The driver charged us M$200—($16 for 20 miles) – and then asked Chupa “What are you doing with a gringa?” It was really funny. I pretended not to hear; but I joked about it later J
Merida - Friday
<-- the bus-station in Piste
Merida --
2 1/2 hour bus ride -- unfortunately chose to sit beside the most foul-scented man in the universe
Oh, plus, a pregnant woman was standing in the aisle beside me dry-heaving the whole time
arrived -- more smells
the market alternates meat, fruit, clothing, leather, chinese goods.
more smells
more heat
had to sit down
had to sit down more
found the park
sat
still hot
found taxi
no ac
bought a hammock
(very nice)
more taxi
(no ac)
bus station
gatorade
laying on hard chair with my bag of mosquito netting for a pillow
but the bathroom was free
more bus
(sleeping)
(not sure why Gabi had Max sit beside me, but I slept soundly without any foul smells)
Plus, Max bought a rose bush in Merida, so it was like a hospital room...
Home
More sleeping in my gorgeous room
more water
still chills / sweating
Abraham tells me that Alex was sad all day because Max traded days with him
rode into Piste with Magali on her scooter after she finished work at 9
found Alex at his hot dog stand in the center
asked if he wanted to have an adventure tomorrow
Yes!!
Taxi back
Taxi driver asked what I usually pay
"Pago mas porque soy gringa -- $70" (I pay more because I'm an American Woman"
Oh, Well, today you're a local-- it's $50
Merida --
2 1/2 hour bus ride -- unfortunately chose to sit beside the most foul-scented man in the universe
Oh, plus, a pregnant woman was standing in the aisle beside me dry-heaving the whole time
arrived -- more smells
the market alternates meat, fruit, clothing, leather, chinese goods.
more smells
more heat
had to sit down
had to sit down more
found the park
sat
still hot
found taxi
no ac
bought a hammock
(very nice)
more taxi
(no ac)
bus station
gatorade
laying on hard chair with my bag of mosquito netting for a pillow
but the bathroom was free
more bus
(sleeping)
(not sure why Gabi had Max sit beside me, but I slept soundly without any foul smells)
Plus, Max bought a rose bush in Merida, so it was like a hospital room...
Home
More sleeping in my gorgeous room
more water
still chills / sweating
Abraham tells me that Alex was sad all day because Max traded days with him
rode into Piste with Magali on her scooter after she finished work at 9
found Alex at his hot dog stand in the center
asked if he wanted to have an adventure tomorrow
Yes!!
Taxi back
Taxi driver asked what I usually pay
"Pago mas porque soy gringa -- $70" (I pay more because I'm an American Woman"
Oh, Well, today you're a local-- it's $50
