Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Maritsa

Feb 3, 2011, 9:49 AM

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Made it to Mexico

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I decided to take the bus, and traveled three days from NC to Mexico City. I am staying outside MC near Chalco, and finally got to see Timo after fourteen months! I will probably stay another 2 weeks. This is where I stayed 4 years ago, so I knew what to expect, but it still took a little getting used to the dust and garbage and dogs and washing with one bucket of lukewarm water!

I took the Huastecos bus line, and I was the only American on the bus. The bus drivers were wonderful, answered all of my questions and looked out for me. Two of them gave me their personal cell numbers if I needed help purchasing a bus ticket back to the US or getting the times and location for departure.

I wanted to go to Chiapas, but there seems to be trouble there, so I am going to Plan B and going to Teotihuacan on Sunday. I just finished th novel "Gone for Soldiers" a novel of the Mexican War, so I would like to see Chapultepec too.

I am in an internet cafe and there is so much dust that the keys are sticking. As before, I am learning a lot and really appreciating the good life I have in the US, especially my shower!

Memo

Feb 3, 2011, 11:01 AM

Post #2 of 18 (4526 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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"I wanted to go to Chiapas, but there seems to be trouble there."

Could you elaborate on this please?

Casa

Feb 3, 2011, 11:10 AM

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Re: [Memo] Made it to Mexico

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Code

 
  "I wanted to go to Chiapas, but there seems to be trouble there."  
 
Could you elaborate on this please?

check this link memo http://www.mexconnect.com/cgi-bin/forums/gforum.cgi?post=158887#158887

Maritsa

Feb 3, 2011, 11:18 AM

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Re: [Memo] Made it to Mexico

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Check my post under Southern Mexico. My friend´s family has told us some scary stories. But the one that scares me is about the mining going on and the rumor that the US is involved. I just can´t seem to find much and I don´t have a TV.
Another story was that a trailer full of illegal Guatamalans was being held in San Cristobal de las Casas.

I think there may be several parts to this. One is the mining - that the president of Motozintla was paid to allow this mining.
Another is that the state is moving govt offices out of Moto to Comitan, which would lose jobs and force the people to travel a long distance for documents and services.

please excuse me if this doesn´t seem to make sense. If anyone knows more, please write. I am concerned becuse I know most of my friend´s family and I have a peronal concern for them.

Vichil

Feb 3, 2011, 12:56 PM

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turnabout

Feb 3, 2011, 1:33 PM

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Re: [Vichil] Made it to Mexico

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WHAT? you are leaving Lake Chapala because of the esclating violence, going to Chiapas AND giving advise about informal chatter... OK you rank #2 as crazy stories... I just love this forum, it is like a mix of the SNL and Mickey Mouse.

turnabout

Feb 3, 2011, 1:39 PM

Post #7 of 18 (4471 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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Maritsa. You got that right. The US involved in mining in illegal mining. Moving state capitals. it does not make any sense and you are now raked #1 for "Crazy stories that some day you will wish you never entered". Thanks Mexconnect and thank you Maritsa!

Vichil

Feb 3, 2011, 5:51 PM

Post #8 of 18 (4411 views)

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Re: [turnabout] Made it to Mexico

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Sorry to tell you but the neighborhood where we live in San Cristobal is very safe. There is a terrific neighborhood watch and everyone is connected via buzzers. The whole barrio comes out when someone rings the alarm.

They are not changing State Capitals but administrative offices and the big stink at one time was about the Canadian mining company paying off official to do what was considered illegal by one faction. It got extremely nasty around Motozintla.
It sounds like you do not know too much about what is going on over there.
Chiapas was one of the States where people felt the safest in one recent Mexican survery. I am sure they did not interview the Central migrants but the State came out a whole lot better than many States in the north and around Jalisco..

Maritsa

Feb 4, 2011, 8:16 AM

Post #9 of 18 (4313 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Made it to Mexico

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I never said I knew a lot about what is going on - that is why I am asking. Duh. I am trying to learn and thank goodness SOME people are willing to teach without being sarcastic and condescending.

This is exactly why I don´t post much. Thanks for another rude awakening.

Casa

Feb 4, 2011, 8:30 AM

Post #10 of 18 (4307 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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The foreign tourists that were kidnapped (in Chiapas) have been released so that is a good thing. Maybe it will quiet down and you will be able to go after all.

Maritsa

Feb 4, 2011, 8:48 AM

Post #11 of 18 (4301 views)

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Re: [Casa] Made it to Mexico

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Yes, I would like to go very much. I would like to see Timo´s family again because we had such a good time when we met 4 years ago. Also, some of his family has been in the US for several years and I would love to take pictures back to show them of their family, especially the grandfather who now 87 years old.

We are planning to go to Teotihuacan on Sunday and I am really looking forward to it, since I love to read historical novels of Mexico, and I think it will be much more interesting knowing something about it beforehand. I also want to go to Chapultepec if time and money allow.

Reefhound

Feb 4, 2011, 9:42 AM

Post #12 of 18 (4290 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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I really liked Teotihuacan. Take your walking shoes. Things look closer than they really are due to the sheer size. And the souvenir hawks are like mosquitoes in a humid swamp.

Here's a google satellite link.

Maritsa

Feb 5, 2011, 8:44 AM

Post #13 of 18 (4192 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Made it to Mexico

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Washed my sneakers yesterday, and they are hanging over the clothesline! And we are going to take a lunch with us to save a little money.

My friend and his family get a kick out of talking with me about the sites and history of Mexico. Things that I sometimes assume they know because they are Mexican, because I know American history. So they laugh and say, "hijo de la guayaba, tu sabes mas de Mexico que nosotros!

Rolly

Feb 5, 2011, 9:23 AM

Post #14 of 18 (4182 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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I find the same with my English students.
They and I are often amazed that I know more about México than they do.
Kind of sad, really.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Reefhound

Feb 5, 2011, 10:01 AM

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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Taking lunch is a good idea but there are also little towns nearby the park. We found a place in San Martin for a comida corrida for $29 pesos.

Which way are you coming from? You can easily get there via the new toll road "Arco Norte" without having to drive through D.F.

It's the same with me in often knowing things about Mexico that my relatives there don't, but I don't think it's any reflection on general education or literacy. It's only natural that someone traveling or moving to an area would make a stronger attempt to learn. When my niece visited New York for the holidays she could have probably explained some things about the city to some of the locals.

Maritsa

Feb 7, 2011, 8:55 AM

Post #16 of 18 (4016 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Made it to Mexico

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We had a great time in Teotihuacan yesterday. We don´t have a car so we took the bus, changing a couple of times.
I had thought that we would probably go to the Zocolo and get the tour bus from there, but I was only following along.
So it took a long time-over 3 hours to get there. But I always enjoy taking in the scenery along the way, so it was OK.

When we got to the pyramids, there was no charge yesterday. I don´t know why it was free, but it sure saved us a lot of money. We took Timoteo´s 16 yr old daughter and her niece along. It was quite an experience and we did make it to the top of the pyamid of the sun. I was a little disappointed, because the others didn´t want to hike the pyramid of the moon or see the other buildings. If I had gone alone, I probably would have walked much more, and just sat and watched the people and taken in more. But just finally getting to see it satisfied my curiosity.

I would still like to go back to the historical section of MC, and Chapultepec if I have the time. I will probably head back to the US next Wednesday.

happynz

Feb 7, 2011, 10:14 AM

Post #17 of 18 (3995 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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Maritsa:
Thanks for your post. I enjoy reading about your time in Mexico.
Así pues...aquí estamos...

bournemouth

Feb 7, 2011, 10:41 AM

Post #18 of 18 (3980 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] Made it to Mexico

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In my experience, most museums and other sites are free on Sundays, to allow Mexicans and their families to enjoy their heritage at no cost.