Roaming Through Retirement



Back in the Village
After two weeks in Houston and Los Angeles (two of the four largest cities in America), we returned to the quiet life of Ajijic. This picture of tourists on horseback was taken behind the Lake Chapala Society.

February began with a big 80th birthday party for Andy, a friend we met here from New York They had a live jazz band at their home, with a catered Hors d'oeuvres and all you could drink!	We attended another Concert in the Park headlined by Branden and James, along with Effie, all of whom performed at America’s Got Talent. They lit up the night.
Time to head NOB (North of the Border). We met Kay and Gary from Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota about 18 years ago in Ajijic and have become dear friends.	We flew to the Yucatan to catch up with friends Scott and Dawn. He and Larry attended Eastern Kentucky University and remained friends for nearly 55 years.
We each got a honeymoon suite at the Crown Paradise Resort with a 180-degree view of the resort and the Caribbean Sea.	An all-inclusive resort meant fine dining with cuisines from around the world. Here we are celebrating our first meal together at a Mexican Restaurant.
Night two was spent at a French Restaurant, which became our favorite meal. A true five-course meal which was exquisite and delicious.	The honeymoon suites came with a private Jacuzzi located on the patio overlooking the ocean. We used it twice a day for the week we were there. Just awesome.
We had lunch with Diana Ayala, a friend from Ajijic. She worked at the Lake Chapala Society and is now working at XCARET south of Cancun and loves it.	We took a bus to downtown Cancun to celebrate Mardi Gras, which was a bust. Then settled for a quieter place with a dozen TVs and watched the Olympics.
The Italian Restaurant was our last day together and all and all we recounted all our adventures and misadventures over the years.	We took a walk along the beach and stopped at a public beach with the CANCUN sign above and this stand to get "ashes to go" for Ash Wednesday.
We left Cancun on the Mayan Train, which was created in the last few years to expand tourism throughout the Mayan Empire. It was smooth and comfortable with views of the jungle.	Five and one half hours later, we arrived in Campeche. We took this electric bus from the train station to the city center, where we lugged our suitcases three blocks to our hotel.
Campeche is located on the west side of the Yucatan Peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its "Walled City" built in 1540 by Spanish conquistadores.	Campeche remains one of two walled cities in North America, the other being Quebec City.
The legend of Black Jesus was washed up to shore after a ship capsized in the mid-1500s. After being mounted, it has been credited with dozens of miracles.	The Immersive Experience showed Frida Kahlo's artwork as a digital display in a museum. It was amazing seeing its transition between paintings.
59th Street in Campeche was blocked off at night with dozens of restaurants setting up tables and chairs outside in the cool evenings. One evening they had live music.	This is the Land Gate to the walled city. On the opposite side is  the Sea Gate. Most of the walls are in tack and encompasses about eight square blocks.
On the left is the wall and on the right are colonial buildings, including homes, restaurants, museums, and other businesses.	While walking, we saw this Museum hosting a Mayan Convention. We sat through a play and took this picture of a women with Mayan attired. Just Spectacular!
The museum also had Mayan artifacts which were discovered throughout the Mayan Empire. This is made of Jade found mostly in the southern region.	From Campeche, we took the Mayan Train to Merida, which is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and known as the "Capital of the Mayan World". This is the Grand Plaza with this 1500th century Cathedral in the background.
The Plaza host events every evening. We went when a band was playing salsa and cumbia music which we enjoyed dancing to.	This is a museum, the home of Francisco de Montijo, the conqueror of the region. Built in 1542 on top of a Mayan temple. Located next to the Grand Plaza.
About a mile from the Grand Plaza is a grand boulevard, called the Paseo de Montejo similar to those in Paris, which was lined with stately and iconic buildings.	This building houses the Merida English Library, founded in the mid 1990s by expats living in the area and one of the largest English libraries in Latin America.
Discovering Yucatan foods at La Chaya Maya Restaurant.  The four dishes we tried were Queso Relleno, Lomitos De Valladolid, Pipian De Pavo, and Orden De Cochinita. We also tried Sopa de Lima and had Marquesitas for dessert.	At the end of the Paseo de Montejo, is this massive Glorieta (Spanish for roundabout) showcasing both Mayan and Mexican historical evolution.
This work of art was on display in Museo Casa Montijo and done by Carlomango Pedro Martinez, a sculpture from Oaxaca and called "The day and night.	Throughout the city were cool seats like this one where a couple can rest while facing one another. We may replicate this here in Ajijic someday.
The Merida English Library hosted a walking home tour. In route, we took this picture that we thought was too cool not to memorialize!	The first of home was a tear down that became an awesome colonial home. The owner built this kitchen and an event center that can house up to one hundred guests.
The home has four bedrooms, each with a private bath. This is the master suite with a massive cupola (a doomed-shape roof) above the entire room.	On our last day in Merida, we toured an open market and like the rest of the city, It was grand. The only thing we bought was a grand ball of EDAM cheese!

February's web page includes February 1 through February 28.