Merida Yucatan Mexico

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
February 7 to 15, 2011

Monday February 7
We drove to Molly and Matt's and family in Seattle. After a nice dinner and some playing with the grandkids we went to bed early in anticipation of an early rise.

Tuesday February 8
We got up at 3 am, got our things together and Molly drove us to the airport. We boarded Continental flight and took off at 6:15 to Houston arriving at 12:15. For lunch we went to Papppadeaux's Seafood Kitchen for lunch having shrimp and crayfish fondue and salad. Our Continental flight to Merida left at 7 pm arriving at 9:15 pm. We made it through immigration and customs ok. It was hot and humid. We took a cab to Matt and Linda's casa. Our Bedroom
Judy's other mutual friends, Gary and Carol were still there and were planning on leaving on Thursday. We sat out side snacking and cooling off until midnight. Both of us slept very well.

Wednesday February 9
We were up at 7:45 and showered. Breakfast was coffee, rolls, fresh fruit, and fresh squeezed orange juice. We walked the few blocks to the English Library on what is called gringo road. There was a house tour, actually a relator tour, but fun to see several newly remodeled houses. The Realtor talked about the history of Merida. Off then went about 70 people to see three houses, two of which were for sale. A very fun outing and the houses were very nice, should be for the price.
The six of us went to lunch at a local place. Two pieces of chicken, rice, cole slaw, lettuce and tomato, and bean soup and drink for $4 each. Shopped at a store and bought some clothes. Richard a guayaberra shirt. On the way back to the house, we stopped by a tour agency so Judy and I could sign up for a Chichen Itza tour on Thursday.
Judy, Linda and Carol went shopping in the heat of the day and had a fun time.

Thursday February 10
Judy and I got up at 7 and had breakfast and out the door to the tour agency a few blocks away. We were in a small group and the tour guide did a nice job telling us about the ruins. Some things had changed since I was there 30 years ago. Now there is a big visitors entrance with shops, etc. There were a large number of buses and cars in the new paved parking lot. All along the paths were vendors, each seem to be selling the same items. Visitors can no longer climb upon the buildings and can't even touch them. The weather turned hot and humid toward the end of the tour. We had a nice buffet lunch at a local hotel which was part of the tour price. There were thunderstorms on the way home. We got back at 5:15.
We all went out to dinner at La Argentina where we had a nice steak dinner with enough left over meat for two more dinners at home. Before dinner serenade
Carol and Gary went to a hotel because they were leaving early in the morning and wanted to be close to a taxi for their 6 am flight.

Friday February 11
We slept in to 8 and had a leisurely morning. We went to the local farmers market to buy some fresh vegetables. On the way, the car was sideswiped. Matt talked to the man who said he was on his way to pick up his daughter at school and we should follow him. The guy took off and sideswiped another car. He got lost in the traffic and never saw him again. The police have his license plate number, make and color of car and license plate of the other car he hit. With all the check stops around Merida, he will be caught. Judy and I went to the Archeological Museum and spent some time looking at the exhibits with a very energetic tour guide.
Mayan gold frog with turquoise eyes
After this adventure we got some fruit and vegetables at the market and then went out to lunch. We had saludes and soupa de lima. There is a Wal-Mart and Costco in Merida but we went grocery shopping at the Mega store. It rained most of the day. For dinner I cooked a "Chinese" style stir fry. Nummy.

Saturday February 12
We decided to go see the sisal plant after breakfast. After many false or non-understandable directions we gave up. We did have a nice tour of southern Merida. After lunch at home, we went to the Zocolo, the main square, and looked around. We did some shopping and Judy and I got a new table cloth made from sisal at the Maya Mundo store. It was rainy most of the day. I made "Mexican" stir fry for dinner. We headed for the Zocolo and not much was happening because of the rainy day. Got an ice cream and headed back home for a good night's sleep.

Sunday February 13
After breakfast and coffee, we all went to the English Mass at 9:15 in the main cathedral. It was the first built in the Americas and on second in size to the cathedral in Mexico City. We went out the eat breakfast and had scrambled eggs with sausage, fruit and coffee. At St. Lucia plaza we watch dancing for a while and did a little ourselves. I went to the local hotel and signed up for a trip to Celustun to see the flamingos on Monday.
We drove north of Merida to the city of Progresso which is on the coast. We drove East along the coast to a small town of Telchac Port. Along the way we stopped at a huge resort looking for a cervesa (beer). The place was almost deserted. No wonder, we found it costs about $1000 US dollars a night per person but it includes everything. Back in Progresso for dinner of shrimp and lobster ka bobs with margarita. Very nummy. Got back home after dark.

Monday February 14
Judy and I headed for Celestun to see the flamingos. The tour left at 9 am with a small van with two other couples. One was a Mexican couple from Monterey, Mexico and the other spent one half the year on an island off the coast of Belize and the other at Port Townsend, WA. After an hour and a half ride we reached Celestun and got in a small boat with driver and our tour guide. We sped down to the end of Ria Celestun where we were greeted by an estimated 20,000 flamingos. They were very beautiful and we got up close. We also saw cormorants, white and brown pelicans, white ibis, eagle with fish in claws, black hawk, stilts, iguana and an alligator. Seagulls too, of course. Back at the landing we had lunch at a near by restaurant. We were back in Merida at 5 pm. We had a very fun time with the sightseeing and the other passengers.
After dinner we went to the Zocolo and watched the Folkl0rico dances (local folk dances) which lasted an hour. Back home we packed up our stuff, ready for the trip home in the morning.

Tuesday, February 15.
Got up, had coffee and breakfast, and walked the block to Hotel Castellano where we got a cab for our 9 am flight to Houston. Went through complete baggage check in Merida, and then twice in Houston. Always an uncomfortable experience. At least we did not have to take off our shoes in Merida. Other wise the flight was uneventful. Molly picked us up at the airport and we spent the night before driving home on Wednesday.