From the Maya ruins to the sea of the Caribbeans.. Memories of our trip in Mexico

A couple of campers (over 50s) with the backpacker
Adapted from www.viaggiericordi.com

We are campers for years but this year for the first time we made a trip they wanted for a long time, flying over the ocean between history and nature, moving using only the local media, with an essential baggage on their shoulders.
In the bag we brought the wandering spirit that characterizes the camper, the sense of adventure that we always have when we leave, freedom to organize trips without many reservations, the desire to know new places and people.
Here's what they have missed out.
Depart Monday 'evening from Venice airport to London with a hotel, off again Tuesday morning, stop in Houston and finally in the evening arrival in Merida. There's so hot.
A rather battered taxi takes us to the hotel. Our room is very spartan to say the least but, fortunately, the air conditioning works and after a nice hot shower we fall asleep with the air to bang.
In the morning we head straight to the bus station to buy bus tickets for tomorrow and Campeche Uxmal
We get to Uxmal, one can see in the green stones, walls, ruins and finally the great pyramid temple majestically impressive, it's amazing to have 2000 years.
We climb to the summit and the view is outstanding, the valley out of sight.
Then in the prairie posing for the picture an iguana and then another and another, these colorful lizards quiet stroll through the grass and rocks.
Seafood dinner at the restaurant and then to bed, fall asleep.

 

From Campeche to Palenque, S. Cristobal and finally San Juan Chamula

Campeche 07/08/2008
Apart from the 9:05 am bus to Campeche.Tutto ok, air conditioning, bathroom and TV. The driver before leaving made the sign of the cross and it is not reassuring, we are in the early seating better fasten their seatbelts. Control block, three uniformed men, armed, check the luggage compartment and then give us the go ahead, let's enter into the Yucatan Campeche.
The country is very colorful and lively, beautiful sun, housed in the center of the hotel side of the cathedral are the 13.30 Posada take a ride on the boardwalk and go to the restaurant La Parroquia (good advice from taxi driver).
A torrential morning rain, then expect the steps we go out to see the town lit. Dinner at Casa Vieja in the large terrace on the square, the sight of the illuminated cathedral is fantastic.
In the morning, we have 2 hours of waiting for the bus and decide to take a ride in a taxi in the rain since yesterday we have not seen much. The lady taxi driver very kindly shows us the oldest and highest part of Campeche.
Palenque 08/08/2008
11.10 hours bus to Palenque. Along the way you see many huts with thatched roofs, small structures essential dowdy, many many children everywhere, while on the bus to the TV broadcast a documentary on the Italian coast.
The bus station in Palenque reminiscent of the far west, to the side of the road in front of the ticket with a roof and four benches in a row. Spend the night nearby in a modest but comfortable hotel and dinner at the restaurant Las Tinajas, locally distinctive and well-assorted menu for money.
As always, the restaurant comes the classic fire bowl that is on the tongue, best avoided.
- Saturday - Departure at 8 in a small bus to tour the archaeological site - Misol Ha - Agua azul
We enter the archeological zone of Palenque, the guide will take us by telling us about the temples of King Pacal of the Red Queen, the buildings are surrounded by a forest of huge green plants and monkeys jumping from branch to branch issuing strong cries that make this place even more fascinating.
With the nose up are fascinated by this wonderful coexistence of greenery and wild with the ancient Mayan history.
The great waterfall of Misol It does not surprise us too much and is really beautiful Agua Azul with its rivers, waterfalls and many small ponds at different levels where people, including Hugh bathing.
Wherever shacks that sell everything from souvenirs to fried chicken to pieces of dried tortillas (bread) filled with the colors and smells are so many but for us there is nothing appetizing and safe hygiene is not home here.
S. Cristobal de las Casas - Chiapas 10-11/08/08
Transfer from Palenque to San Cristobal by luxury bus.
The journey takes my nausea is dramatic that forces me to serve the bathroom several times,
I miss our camper.
We arrive in S. Cristobal it rains, the streets seem to rivers, which is why the sidewalks are so high, we go by taxi agency to book mini bus to Guatemala
After that straight to 'Hotel, I have to go to bed I feel absolutely destroyed.
Fortunately I wake up at 16.30 and I feel much better we go for a walk downtown.
The evening is cool but beautiful, until we arrive at the Cultural Centre Na Bolom and we can book dinner tonight.
At seven o'clock we are all together in a large room with a fireplace to sit around one long table, the environment and atmosphere are very characteristic and while not knowing the language you find yourself talking or at least to understand all having dinner together .
It 's a wonderful experience. Try it!
In the morning we leave in the group with a lady who will guide us to San Juan Chamula.
The first stop where we continue to Zinacantan walk through country lanes, while the guide advises us not to photograph people because they believe that so we steal the soul, tells us that these people have a special reverence for the dead and death, that most of the children until recently had not attend school and still are practiced rituals of witchcraft to ask for health, fertility and more.
Strolling among fields of vegetables and flowers arrive in the square, the church. A procession of people wearing costumes of blue fabric with pink designs, is heading towards the 'home of a shaman "big boss" to celebrate. The guide goes on to explain the various rituals and entering the church we are aware of what he said.
The floor covered with pine needles, candles lit in different colors, women on their knees with chickens "sacrifice", a medieval atmosphere is to say the least.
Return with pouring rain, like every afternoon.
Tomorrow we cross the border to Guatemala.
Tuesday morning at 7, part of the agency Chincutik S. Cristóbal to Guatemala - Panajachel.
We are 7 people on a minibus, an Israeli couple, a couple of guys
Australians, a Mexican psychologist who goes to take a course in Guatemala and the two of us.
The journey will be long but it is now pleasant, the weather is nice and Hector (the psychologist) is very friendly, talks to everyone, kids, tells us about herself and translates English-speaking, time passes quickly.
We arrive at the border, we go down, we walk over the large sign that welcomes you to Mexico, we have behind us, we are in Guatemala.
Procedures for the ceremony, lining up at the counter for passport control, in exchange for pesos quezales and then again on a new minibus.

Lake Atitlan, Rio Dulce

At five o'clock we arrived at Lake Atitlan in Panajachel, we head to the pier to get the launch (boat) for Jabailito comes the public launch, we go up and within minutes we are many crammed into the boat, and browning it's almost six hours party .
The water splashing on us, the helmsman with a nylon cover us but the 'water dripping on people everywhere scrambled to and fro by the waves and of course we are all wet, but finally we arrive at the coast.
A man takes us pack up and up the stairs to the entrance of the hotel, Casa del Mundo.
The place is beautiful, the hotel is overlooking the lake, unfortunately it's dark and we can not see much going up and the lady at the entrance welcomed us and told us that dinner and 'almost ready, shows us our room on the terrace.
The dining room is lit by many candles, all of us together around the sole accomondiamo long table set, dinner is simple but is very nice to share the evening with so many foreign people, I feel really small town in the world.
We fall asleep lulled by the sound of heavy rain pouring, with the curtain open and the sight of the lights on the lake, the scenery is a pleasant one, we are proud to have arrived here.
Wednesday at 5.30 we are on the terrace to admire the volcano in front of us which is released slowly from the clouds, a few photos, a walk to inspect the place that we discover more and more beautiful. We decide to walk to walk around until Jabailito and Santa Cruz.
Wednesday, August 13 - the trip from Panajachel to Chichicastenango is very quiet, we are alone in a minibus with a driver that tells us about his famiglias and her seven children.
Hotel Mayan Inn is the best one among those who have seen and certainly very unusual. The rooms are not locked up and listen, listen, every room has its own personal "butler" that meets all customer requirements.
I assure you that after an initial concern is very nice to feel "important" even for a short time.
Can we take a ride in the afternoon the square where they begin preparations for the big Indian market. Spiovicchia but unfortunately the street, really large numbers, continue to mount long stalls made of wood and nylon. The next day, the effect is overwhelming, burning incense in front of the church, the square is covered with fabrics, carpets, bags, flowers, masks, jewelry with a variety and intensity of eye-catching colors, the market involves all the loops, especially tourists, the cry of the sellers 'hei amigo / a "never-ending negotiations to begin a' last price. Obviously we do so many purchases and then off to Antigua.
Friday - Antigua - Hotel La Posada - cozy and comfortable.
We visit the Finca of coffee is now used mostly to hotels. Huge garden, large swimming pool and large well-furnished rooms make it a very beautiful and elegant.
Then we visit the hotel / restaurant Santo Domingo, a former monastery, there are museums, antiques, beautiful gardens, parrots, a charming colonial atmosphere, and a walk inside is nice.
Saturday at 6 am bus to Vulcan Pacaya 2500 mt. We arrived at about 17oo m, then continue on foot, wisely we wore boots. The climb is tiring, but as it has the great black top of the steaming landscape has a true metamorphosis.
Our guide leads us to see the cracks in hot, the air mixes undulating shapes, creating a surreal atmosphere, less than a meter beneath our feet the lava flows.
To return the guide proposes a path that, as he says, "is like skiing."
My hair all white cast doubt on my abilities, I'll calm down and go down. Your feet sink into the dark and coarse sand we really slipped.
At about 12:30 we return to Antigua, exceptional dining Marquez y Vino for yourself to an ice cream at the restaurant Panza Verde, classy and distinctive.
Evening stroll from Central Park to the great arc through the cobbled streets of the framework (crossing) in the framework. At the hotel we were advised not to come late to meetings or risk bad, unfortunately, in Guatemala we received many recommendations in this regard. Too bad!
Sunday, August 17, four hours apart from the minibus from Antigua to Guatemala where we take the bus.
The coach is very basic, no air conditioning, a single front door, that each of the numerous stops, the conductor has to push hard because it closes.
At 12 we arrived in Rio Dulce, the lance is already at the pier ready to go. The location is fabulous.
The boat is fast on the water along the banks of the great river, the vegetation is dense, green, plants and palm trees are tall and covered with various species of birds, this is the forest.
After an hour and a half to get to Hotel Finca Tatin.
Carlos shows us our home, a pile of wood with thatched roofs, windows and with each crack fly even the bed is wrapped in mosquito netting, we are surrounded by plants and flowers on one side and the river on the other. The atmosphere is a little mysterious and wild, very impressive.
Cayac afternoon in the river, we are embarrassed with the oars, but the water is calm the day is beautiful, the sight of greenery and the silence that reigns gives us great peace of mind. We bathed together in the river and get ready for dinner. All around a big table just eat the chicken cooked on the bonfire next to the River.
Monday early morning we sit on the pier to watch the River. Skip the boat that brings the boys to school, after a few minutes it goes with other girls, the motor noise disturbs the almost absolute silence. A canoe on the water passes before us, the Lord continues to row in one motion and sure, gives us a good morning smile. For us it is incredible to be able to live without a car, not our comfort, but everybody seems very happy and serene.

Tikal

Carlos takes us on his boat at the mouth of the river, in Livingston. Here the atmosphere is very different, they are all blacks, rasta, with brightly colored clothing and turbans. The beach is long and narrow, palm trees stretching to the sea, the water is calm and warm and the landscape and how the expectations of those who come to the Caribbean.
The bathroom is a must, we enjoy this place that combines the charm of the tropical jungle to the Caribbean Sea.
After eating a nice plate of shrimp to the plate back to Finca Tatin.
In the afternoon we leave for a tour in the jungle. The guide, Gerardo a boy of 27 years without teeth but very friendly, it accompanies us through trails in the midst of this vegetation up to the cave of the tiger and then continue to the Indian village. Gerardo proudly shows us his house which is only a poor hut of reeds and straw with a small fire, two hammocks for children and a facsimile of bed for him, the ground is the ground and there are no furniture and appliances.
To us it seems incredible, but all the dignity and serenity of the people we have met so far makes us think to better assess the truly important things in life.
Tuesday we return by boat to Rio Dulce to take a bus to Tikal.
The better a bus or Carcassone that looks like a bus arrives at 10 and is already full with many people standing up, going up and we realize now that a trip will not exactly pleasant.
After less than an hour a guy I Vacher gave way, "my white hair hit" I sit down.
I watch the people down to the numerous stages and two blocks to the police lady is tied together with trays full of eggs, the man with a box that has a small hole at the top is likely to allow the chicken to breathe, the lady in the first file is holding a glass of cut fruit that slowly leads to the mouth while the lord of the fourth row is holding a plate of rice and chicken just bought the last stop.
At 40 miles before we go to Tikal wait to stop the passage of a mini bus to Tikal. I am looking forward to a school bus until the driver informs us that the minibus will not come today and invites us to climb. We go up and explains that what he is doing is the last trip as a school bus and then they can join us. Accepted and 15.3 or enter the archaeological park.
Accommodation in Hotel Jaguar Inn and then off we go into 'maia area.
The area is very different from other Mayan sites such as Uxmal and Palenque. Here to get to the temples through long paths in the heart of a great tropical forest, as well as the marvel of the ruins we see many small and large animals like giant ants, locusts camouflaged in the trees, a small hummingbird on her nest, the howler monkeys that swing, a large hairy black spider, various insects, mysterious and unknown birds, everything that Tikal from a particular charm.
Return to the hotel know Toni, a teacher who is here to study American birds. With her, we spend a pleasant evening chatting.
Like every night at nine black out, the candles are lit and up to the morning light will not come back.
Wednesday at 4.3o part of the tour. It 's dark, with the battery in hand follow the path towards the
maia central square, there is a great silence.
Arriving at the temple go up the wooden stairs and sit on the top, are 5.3o, we are all sitting in silence waiting for the sunrise. In front of us the dark jungle still wrapped in a light mist that moves slowly revealing the tops of other temples, the light gradually increases by changing the colors of the scenery and finally appears on the horizon the great golden circle.
Everything seems to take life, silence gives way to the sounds of animals who wake up and move, those that were now shapes are defined and the forest appears in all its beauty.
We stand in silence to enjoy life, nature overwhelms us from heaven to earth and will never cease to amaze.
In the afternoon we go to the airport at Flores. With a small aircraft, 28 seats, back to Guatemala City. from where the flight.
Sometimes we miss our train home but the adventure has offset this "betrayal" as never before on this occasion we felt the citizens of the world and proud of it.
Francesca Ugo
taken from www.viaggiericordi.com