Wandering with Tedder and Tamara

(Tamara posting)

So while Ted spent the morning trying to find a solution to the chain/sprocket problem, I used it to wander around the city and do some touristy things. I first tried to get a ticket for a tourist tram that was supposed to have bilingual commentary. I was ready for the first tram at 9, but when I got there the guide said it wasn't leaving until 10 and that there wouldn't be an English commentary, only Spanish - which was the main incentive for taking the tour. Instead, I walked around, heading first to the oceanfront, which wasn't very spectacular - just a lot of newer buildings. I made my way back into the walled section of the city and to a baluarte (a small fortification in the wall to house cannons, etc) where there was a small museum of the weapons and history of the fortifications, all in Spanish, so I gleamed what I could. From there, I was told to visit the Puerte de Tierra which was an entrance to the city. There isn't a lot to see there, except the thick walls and defense system to keep out invaders.

I was ready for a break from the heat (already at 10:30 it was too hot) and met Ted back at the hotel to cool down. I knew it would just get hotter, so he offered to drop me off at the fort on the west side of town to the archaeological museum there. I happened across a local who was working there on his day off as a tourist guide and took advantage of his services in the museum. He was very happy to practice his English. He works there at the museum and in his vacation time takes tourists to the nearby Maya site of Edznal and other nearby attractions. The museum is full of Mayan artifacts, and he was able to point out the dominant features of the death masks, and symbols on the stelae and pottery. It was an enjoyable tour and at the end he really wanted to know about American politics - what I think of Hilary Clinton, Bush, the Iraq war, etc.

We relaxed for a good part of the afternoon, had good food for lunch and dinner, and spent some time at the internet cafe so Ted could figure out how to get a new sprocket and chain. I did a little souvenir shopping and found something cool at a local jeweler's shop - the guy was neat, taught himself to make the jewelry (some really beautiful pieces) and had a very laid back way about him - Ted called him a “Santana” type :)

We went for ice cream after dinner, and could only find a couple stores, one a Baskin Robbins. It is interesting, since there was ice cream carts (with tons of flavors!) on almost every corner in San Miguel and some in Oaxaca, but we haven't seen any eatery stands or other stands here in the city center.

Tomorrow we are going to leave early to get to Chichen Itza before the hottest time of day, then Ted is going to swim with the dolphins near Playa del Carmen if we get there in time. It should be a lot of fun!