Dave is in Xela, Guatemala taking a 1-week Spanish Immersion course

Hi,

I can't believe I'm doing this.  I'm back at school for a week.  The bell rang at 8:00am, and I started my total immersion in Latin American Spanish.  It's pretty cool actually, with one-on-one instruction in a really nice garden courtyard. I have a great instructor named Julia, who is a blast.  She has a great sense of humor, and is keeping it light so far.  There is an espresso bar to keep me caffeinated, and some really friendly people running the school.  Everyone talks to each other in Spanish of course, but will translate if you look totally confused.  By 1pm my brain was full.  I had the afternoon off.... BUT I had friggin homework to do.  Can you believe that?  Me doing homework.  Well, I just finished it, and am heading out for a couple cervezas(beers) to ease the pain.  

Hasta Luego (see you later),

Daveed

Dave arrived in the mountain region of Chiapas

Hi,

I arrived in San Cristobal Las Casa today. What fantastic scenery as we rose from the plains of the Yucatan with jungle palm trees, and into the Mountains of Chiapas with pine trees forests. Yucatan is as flat as a tortilla as the locals say, and hot and humid. It's now much cooler in the mountains. I even put on long pants and light fleece. It's probably about 20c in the daytime and 12c at night.

I hope you aren't freezing your butts off. Hee-hee

Cheer,

Dave

Dave is in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

Hola

Well the 9 hour bus trip from Merida was not as bad as I feared. The AC was too cold, but other that that, it was uneventful. There was some stunning coastal scenery around Campeche, as we drove through a number of fishing villages. I watched pelicans and herons fishing. I'm now in Chiapas, which is the start of the 'mountainous' region of southern Mexico. Actually, they are more like jungle covered hills.

I toured the famous Mayan Ruins at Palenque today. Wow, they are pretty amazing. I'm not surprised that these were your favourite Ruins Dad. Ancient ruins in a jungle setting. Pretty amazing.

I met the leader of a Gap Tour group today. His group was off on their own for awhile, so he had some time to kill. We talked for ½ hour before I found out he is from Golden, BC, and an avid backcountry skier when he's not travelling. Interesting guy. He's been all over the world leading Gap tours.

It's off season now, so there are not too many tourists. Last night I sat in the Central Plaza in Palenque with live music, and there were only a couple other tourists. Apparently it will get much touristier near Christmas.

Heading out to dinner now… can't decide on Burritos or Tacos. All I know for sure is there will be a cold cerveza involved. Actually, I've not been very impressed with Mexican cuisine so far. Compared with Asian cuisine, it's not nearly as tasty. At least its not Rice+Beans yet. That may be coming as I head south.

Cheers,

Daveed

Dave is in Merida and hasn't gotten lost too many times so far

Hi,

I've heard it's a bit chilly in Calgary these days.  We'll that's too bad.  Hee-hee-heee  Just a slight giggle.

I'm currently in the old colonial town of Merida.  It's about 5 hours from Cancun, and is apparently one of the most "authentic" Mexican cities.  It really is pretty amazing. Interesting old colonial streets and squares.  Last Sunday night it seemed like the whole town was out in the Main Plaza singing and dancing.  They had live bands, street performers, lots of street food, and a dance area.  They have this family event every Sunday night.  The locals really know how to have fun.  Not many tourists here.

Went to the City market today.  It was like a Mexican version of the crowded Asian markets.  Very crowded and fun.  I didn't see any other tourists.  Pretty safe here except if you step off the curb, you're fair game for the buses roaring by.  Even the locals stick to the narrow sidewalks.  In Asia, people crowd into the street.  Not here.

I haven't had to take a real "chicken bus" yet, but I have taken a couple collectivos (a mini-van that fills with 10 or 12 people.  Lots of fun

I missed my connecting local bus from some Mayan ruins yesterday, but was really lucky to get a ride in a tour bus from Mexico City.  Everyone was Mexican, and only one person spoke a little English.  I sat in the driver's helpers chair at the front of the bus for 2 hrs.  Everyone was really friendly and curious as to who this huge white man was, and why was he on the bus.  We had lot of laughs.

Photos
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vem2S88uh1kHgmWU7

Got to run.

Cheers,

Daveed (my new Spanish name)

Dave arrived in Playa Del Carmen

Hi,

Just a quick note to say I arrived in Playa, and am staying at a nice little hotel in the town. It's got an open courtyard with lots of tropical plants and trees, and right now the rain in pouring down. There has been a couple tropical downpours today, following by sunshine an hour later. The beach here is stunning, but the town walking street is pretty touristy. The beer is cold, the food good.... so far, so good. Not speaking much Spanish might be more of an issue that I'd hoped.

Off to Tulum tomorrow, and then to less touristy areas.

Love,

Dave