TravelinFrank
Dundas
A question about this place:
Answers:
morianna1
27 places
Most of the “touristy” area will have folks who speak enough English for you to conduct basic transactions, so no worries there.
Someone mentioned knowing the word for “ice”. Even if the restaurant advertises purified water, I’d still forgo anything that is not bottled/canned. “Aqua purificada” is a good phrase.
Where in Mexico are you going? Are you staying in the Northern areas? The Yucatan? If you’re staying on the Yucatan, be sure to visit a cenote or two and visit the old Mayan ruins!
I didn’t travel to the Western regions of Mexico. We drove from the US to Mexico City then swung over to the Yucatan. Very nice drive, btw, but the tolls and the gas was pricey.
If you get to the Yucatan, there are deals to be made on hammocks. At the end of our fieldwork, I jettisoned all my clothing to make space for my four hammocks that I brought back. I’d look or a good cotton, tightly woven hammock, and I wouldn’t pay anything more than 40$. Prices are usually negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle.
Have a great trip!!
TravelinFrank
Dundas
Gracias!
Not worried about not knowing the language, but interested in learning at least a few word and phrases from the different places we visit.
Good suggestions about the ice / water.
Yes, we are staying on the Yucatan and do want to visit some ruins. I believe “Cobas” is in the vicinity. I’m not familiar with a cenote? Can you educate me?
Cheers
TravelinFrank
morianna1
27 places
Ah! Cenotes! The entire peninsula is made of limestone. An underground river/aquifer runs under the Yucatan. Where the limestone dissolved away leaving natural caves and cisterns and wells filled with accessible water-these are cenotes. They are beautiful!
Some of these wells are huge and the one I stayed near permitted swimming. We’d jump in the Chevy and grab a six-pack and head to the cenote after eight hours of excavating.
We couldn’t go skinny-dipping because the villagers have a profound sense of modesty-and were curious about the gringos-they’d inevitably follow us to the wells. Especially the kids!
They are shocked by women drinking beer openly—and couldn’t get used to the fact that I smoked cigarettes. But a smile and a nice “buenos dias” worked wonders.
And, yes, Coba is spectacular. There are other, more complex, sites, too.
TravelinFrank
Dundas
Thanks for the lesson! I would really like to see one and have the opportunity to swim in it. We live in a limestone region and I’m familiar with many of the unique features of karst topography, but had never heard of a cenote.
You must have had an interesting experience during your time excavating in the area! Find anything? Were you looking for cultural or architectural artefacts?
Chichen Itza is apparantly several hours away so we probably will only make it to Coba this time.
Now I understand your pulqueria comment about women drinking openly better.
morianna1
27 places
We were in a small ejido in the smack-dab center of the Yucatan. We stayed there for three months during the summer of ‘04. We were investigating a Terminal Classic site. Basically, an entire village, complete with pyramid, plazas, houses, road-systems, cenotes, etc. We recovered tons of potsherds, excavated a temple-complex, hacked the jungle away from the pyramid (for next season’s work). It was a blast!
My best advice? On a dull day, jump on a bus going toward the interior of Yucatan. And just get lost. Find a village and sit in the shade and drink a beer and smile alot! Spend a day “off track” away from the other sun-burned tourists. ;-) Enjoy!!
TravelinFrank
Dundas
What an amazing summer you must have had! I’m envious of your opportunity to have literally dug into the past of a different culture. What an incredible experience for you to treasure. What a blast, indeed!
Morianna, one of the reasons I really enjoy 43places is people give such good recommendations. Get lost, sit in the shade with a beer, smile a lot. It’s perfect. I am SO there!
Perhaps, in return, I can recommed you take this evening off whatever you were going to do. Get out the old pictures. Crack a beer and reminisce.
Cheers
