Merida Day 1 7/2

Merida is the capitol city of Yucatan. It is another beautiful example of Spanish colonial architecture. In the past there were several very wealthy families that lived in Merida. The money had come for the Sisal Industry. Several of the mansions where built in the classical French style. The one I liked most was built by two brothers who wanted their houses to look just like the Palace of Versailles in France. The houses were constructed right next to each other and both had a very grand French presence. Sadly I was never able to get any pictures because every time I was gong by the houses it was night.

We had the opportunity on Friday evening to go to one of the Universities and watch a ballet folklorico. On the way to the performance Jacquas (our wonderful guide) introduced us to some marvelous ice cream shop. I tried the coco (coconut) one evening and Mango the next it was delicious!

Izamal 7/2

Izamal is a small Spanish Colonial town. In the early 1990’s the Pope came and visited this town to ask for forgiveness for the past transgressions of the Catholic Church here in Mexico. In preparation for that visit the whole town was painted ocher yellow. It is now known as the yellow town. While we where there we were treated to an impromptu concert at the convent put on by a visiting group of Spanish youth.

This is the restaurant where we ate lunch.

Statue of Pope John Paul who visited Izamal and ask forgiveness for the churches past transgressions to the native Mexican people.

You can take a horse and buggy ride around the town.

The group of Spanish youth that are traveling trough Mexico. They put on a concert in the plaza of the church.

The hill in the background of this photo is an ancient Mayan Pyramid that was to big for the Spanish to totally destroy.

Chichen Itza 7/2

Chichen Itza is one of the largest Mayan ruin sites in Mexico. In the last couple of years it has become listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world. This designation has been a double-edged sword for the site. It now is very receiving lots of recognition which brings much needed money for continued archeological excavation and restoration but also is bring bus loads of tourists. Our guide Jacques referred to it as the “Mayan Disneyland”. The day that we visited it was not busy when we got there but it was swarming with people by the time we left. It is truly an architectural marvel. The Mayans had a very deep understanding of astronomy and used that knowledge to construct the whole site. Every structure was built to exacting astronomical standards. Amazing and beautiful. It is truly unfortunate that when the Spanish arrived they saw the culture as evil and destroyed most of the Mayan cultural knowledge. Only a very few Mayan texts still exist.

The snake was a symbol of royality

Chichen Itza ball court. One of the largest ever found. The players had to hit a small rubber ball through that little ring not using there hands at all. The winner was honored by a sacrificial (quick) death and the rest died a slow death having their hands and feet cut off.

Cenote (Sinkhole) Zaci 7/2

We headed out early this morning for our visit to Chichen Itza. On the way we went to visit one of the Cenote's (sinkholes) that are common here in the Yucatan. I learned that there are no rivers in the Yucatan due to its interesting geology. The Yucatan sits on top of limestone. When it rains all of the water filters down through the porous limestone. Over time part of the limestone will crumble and open up a sinkhole full of fresh water.

Shrine outside of Cenote Zaci

7/1 Valladolid, Yucatan

We spent the night in a quaint little Spanish Colonial town. I enjoyed seeing all the colorful buildings and walking through the town square. We had the opportunity to visit one of the oldest Catholic Missions in Mexico. It was build in the 1500’s.

Our Hotel in Valladolid

Courtyard Restaurant at the hotel

Huge candle. Each evening they add more candles to the top. It is beautiful when it is burning.

Fountain in the Town Plaza in Valladolid

Church on the town plaza in Valladolid

This is the original Catholic Church fortress in this area build around a sink hole. It was build in the 1500's.

July 1 Cancun Day 2 /Quintana Roo To Yucatan

Cancun Beach with all the seaweed that Tropical Storm Alex washed ashore.

We had a free morning in Cancun. I took another walk along the beach in the morning. This time I walk down the beach in the other direction from all of the hotels toward some private residences. There is a lot of construction happening all along the beach. I learned that Cancun is a city that is only about 40 years old. The Mexican government decided to develop that area of the Yucatan to bring in tourists it is now known as the Maya Rivera. They also developed the state of Quantiana Roo around then.

At noon we left our hotel and went to visit a vocational high school in Cancun. It was very interesting to see. The students prepared a wonderful lunch and performed for us. It was very touching. Watching the kids just reinforces that no matter where in the world you go kids are kids.

This tiny library is the only one for the whole high school.

The students made lunch for us and performed songs and several regional dances.

Our Fulbright group with the students and teacher from the school

After we left the school we boarded the bus and headed for the small colonial Spanish village of Valladolid, Yucatan

June 30 First Day in Mexico-Cancun

Today was a travel day and we go off to a bit of a rough start. Our plane was delayed out of Austin due to tropical storm Alex that has since turned into hurricane Alex. We finally got to Dallas with no time to spare. The airline shuttled us directly from our arrival gate to our departure gate so that we didn’t miss our flight to Cancun. Once we made it to Cancun we boarded our tour bus that will be our home away from home for the next 29 days and made the short trip to our hotel.

The front of the hotel we stayed in while in Cancun

This was my breath taking ocean view!

The beach behind the hotel.

Cancun is amazingly beautiful. The ocean is a gorgeous Jade color. I enjoyed a long walk on the white sand beach behind our hotel. Unfortunately it was hard to make it down to the water because of all the seaweed that hurricane Alex has caused to churn up on the beach.

Due to my technological difficulties I will post the picture of the seaweed on my nest entry:)