Celestun contd

This Ojo de Agua is near where the Ria de Celestun (freshwater) meets the sea, the golfo de Mexico (there is no petroleo, it's heading to Florida not this way)

This is a bird called something Tigre that we encountered near the Ojo de agua. Apparantly not usually found there. We managed to get really close. Closer than to the flamingoes!

Just before sunset I'm contemplating the litre and a half of beer infront of me.

This photo is just so ridiulous I had to post it. It was incredibly nice fish from La Comida Economica in Celestun. It shows why I will never be taken for a Mexican. I stopped worrying about having my Lonely Planet on show as it might make me look like a tourist days ago when I realised that there was no way in the world - even if I wore the obligatory tight jeans and high heels outfit that all Mexican women don - that I'd be taken for a Mexican. I'd also have to put on about 20 kilos. Did anyone know they have problems with obesity and are blaming it on McDonalds and the influence from the USA. It's absolutely NOTHING to do with the Quesadillas.

Which brings me onto another anecdote. In Celestun there is only one restaurant open after 5pm in the low season (now). Simona, Emilia and I went to it and asked for Guacamole with nachos. They had guacamole and nachos, with other things, but not together, and couldn't put them together for us as it wasn't on the menu. The man went into a total panic trying to figure out what to do and then decided it wasn't possible. The same thing had happened in the morning when I asked for Scrambled eggs with Chorizo instead of the omelet with prawns or the chorizo sandwich. IMPOSIBLE!!!! You probably had to be there but after a day of experiencing this we realised it wasn't exactly a foodies destination. The Flamingoes were good.

Celestun and the flamingoes

The rio de manglares

Watching the last of Mexico's friendlies against Italy (with Simona, the Italian). Surprisingly they won!

Sunset in Celestun (2 hrs from Merida)

Pelicans.

Flamingoes. Quite obvious really. We went out early this morning with a couple - the only other people in fact - in the hostel to see a Bosque petrificado that's so rubbish there are no photos. We continued onto la ria celestun to see the flamingoes and then onto manglares and un ojo de agua azul - a freshwater hole surrounded by saltwater.

Campeche y la playa NO muy bonita

Arrived early yesterday (31 May) in Campeche which is as LP desribes a Colonial Fairyland. It's stunning - inside the walled town. The Monkey Hostel is in a great location over looking the central plaza and the beautiful cathedral. It's just so HOT! Yesterday I met two lovely girls Emilia (Finnish) and Simona (Italian) who are both also travelling alone and speak Spanish so so easy to be around. Had a nice meal at La Parroquia with them last night and then had a bit of a party with some Mexican boys - I mean boys - I could almost be their mother on the roof terrace of the hostel.
We rented bicis this morning and cycled up the malecon and back. Quite pretty but really what is special are all the painted houses inside the walls. Then we head to the beach - La Playa Bonita - it's not really a playa and it's certainly not bonita. No photos of the beach. There were no lesbians buying me drinks either. On the way there on the bus we witnessed what looked like a military storm on a house, but none of the Mexicans on the bus seemed to bat an eyelid. On the way home we thought we'd missed the bus as we were about 200m away and saw in on the main road. They pass every 10 mins so we weren't worried but the bus saw us - Tourists just stand out so much - and waited for us. Imagine that in London! The people here are very friendly.

Off to Merida, maybe Celestun tomorrow morning.

Veracruz, city museum beach adventure

Today I woke early and went one of Veracruz's icons el Gran Cafe de la Parroquia where kind waiters patiently explained all the different types of eggs and frijoles to me, before I settled on rancheros. A quartet played live music. An expansive cafe full of jarochos clicking their glasses - a sign they want a refill was a perfect people watching venue. A man had his blood pressure taken, another his shoes shined. But soon I realised everyone was staring at me. In a kind sort of way I guess, but still, I appeared to be the entertainment.

I learned yesterday that there was no need to hide my Lonely Planet guide to Mexico, sunhat and sunscreen - it is obvious to everyone that I am not Mexican.

I went to the Museo de la ciudad where I learned all about Veracruz's past. It's where Hernan Cortes landed and ultimately took Mexico - i knew this already - but it went into lots of detail, lots of maps, photos and paraphenalia and it was free. I was the only person in there.

The beach is where the day really took off. I finally found my way there by bus (after having missed the stop by quite some way, the driver stopped a bus going back in that direction and made the driver wait for me to cross the road and told him to tell me where to get off). I thought I could have a rest but no, no sooner than I put my sarong down an old lady came over to offer me a drink from her SOL cart, courtesy of a group of guys sitting "over there". I accepted a beer, and then a "lesbian couple" ordered another for me. Bizarre. They then continued to send messages to me via anyone who passed by, mainly asking the Beach Tatoo man to kindly leave me alone so they could approach. The guys "over there" got in first. I managed to get rid of them with some 3-1 banter, the lesbian couple waited. Very orderly I thought. Quite British even.

VERACRUZ

The Baluarte de Santiago...the only bastion to remain.































The Lighthouse























Panuchos.

Veracruz, puerto.

Yes, I'm the only tourist.
Hotel Amparo....every jarocho I spoke to knew I'd be staying here...

Museo de antropologia, room in Hotel Century, lunch in mercado merced (note the Michelada's colour)

Bedroom in hotel century - I treated myself to a nice place for the first two nights.

















This is the michelada at mercado Merced

Finally learnt how to post pictures. This is at the museo de antropologia, set in a really nice woodlands. The bosque de Chapultepec.

Mexico City

So, 23 hours after leaving home I finally arrived at the lovely Hotel Century. I was so tired I felt physically sick and the room was swaying - like being v. drunk, except I really wasnt. Anyone ever experienced this?
Feel fine now.

This morning I went out and was promptly picked up by Luis, a sweet, but eventually very annoying man who wanted to take me to my destination (buying a bus ticket). So we walked for 45 mins to what was only a few streets away as he just wouldnt let me look at my map. Finally I got rid of him by telling him I couldnt go for lunch as was meeting my husband. I never thought I'd have to do that.

Any tips on how to get rid of nice but annoying Mexicans rather more promptly - please post!

Went to the museo de antropologia which was well worth the visit. And then had a michelada and a quesadilla in the mercado Merced- apparantly the largest market in Latin America. I shall confirm that. Trying to upload the pic. Mainly for Charlotte's benefit, but it's supposed to be like a shandy, but with fresh lemon juice....but this was red...and had chile salt around the edge.

Off to Veracruz tomorrow.