Archive | May, 2018

The Week In Pictures

27 May

I never get sick! But this week I’m down for the count. I’m not sure if it’s allergies or a spring cold but I have fever, drippy nose, sore throat and sinus headache. Consequently you will get the week in photos. Until next time. 

DOS TORTAS 
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My MIL Alice getting her cast off. Yeah.

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Rainy season has begun.

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Art Of The Week – Let There Be Light

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Everything blooms when it starts raining. Hibiscus/tulipani

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Last night’s view from the roof.

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Thanks to my friend Gabriel for getting me out of the house this morning. Feeling better.

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Sometimes Life Is Like That

20 May

 

After a weeklong visit to Texas, we are home in Bacalar. Mother’s Day was spent with our youngest son and family. 

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Lisa, son Dylan, step-mom Terry (our wife-in-law) and myself.

Lisa had a visit with her doctor at the VA (Veterans Administration). The results of medical tests performed in December were finally discussed. The bottom line is another visit needs to be scheduled, probably in August. Let’s not get into it.
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Sophia making silly faces with Grandmas.

We had a happy hour with Austin friends who came to hang out with us. I wish I had taken pictures, but unfortunately did not. It was lovely to visit with folks, some of which drove as much as an hour to see us.  Also a shout out to blog followers Laurie and Ryan who visited us in Austin. Good luck on your plans to move to Mexico.

 

We also saw the movie RBG which I highly recommend. I doubt it will ever come to our local theater in Chetumal so we took advantage of a free afternoon. GO SEE IT!
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A most inspirational and uplifting movie.

We had a relaxing week and are extremely happy to be home in Bacalar. Visiting with family and friends is always fun.
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San Fernando Cathedral light and sound show, San Antonio.

Air travel really takes it out of us. This trip we had long layovers and late flights. It’s time to get swimming in preparation for the Laguna Bacalar open water maratón on June 16. I have been doing some serious slacking. (The Swim Across Laguna Bacalar).
This year is far busier than usual. Sometimes life is like that. Stay tuned and remember to check us out on Instagram at dos_tortas and Facebook @theadventuresofdostortas
DOS TORTAS 
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A Visit To Mexico City Airport

13 May

Many people come for their first visit to Mexico by flying into Cancun and staying at an all inclusive. The hotel staff meets you at the airport and you never have to step foot out of the compound. It may be “safe” and convenient but you’ll have a very sterilized visit to an exciting, colorful country. For the adventurer among you, I’m suggesting a more diverse vacation. Fly through Mexico City. 

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Flights to and from Mexico City connect the world.

The airport is big, modern and many airlines fly here. US airlines – Southwest, Alaska Air, Jet Blue and United to name a few.  Mexican airlines are Interjet, Avianca and Mexicana. There’s probably a dozen more I’m forgetting.
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Restaurant, hotel, taxi? Follow the signs.

All signage is bilingual English/Spanish and there are information kiosks with English-speaking assistance. Surprisingly, the average person has enough English to help you find your way. Everyone is extremely helpful.
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Helpful bi-lingual information kiosks.

There are food courts that might look a bit familiar. At the same time, most Mexican restaurants have an English or bilingual menu.
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This is Mexico?

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Look familiar? All but the cheaper prices.

There are stores with tempting treats to pass the time if you have a layover.
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Candied fruit, a local treat.

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A gift shop for those last minute purchases.

An IMPORTANT thing to remember, no matter your airport, find an ATM and take out as much money as you think you’ll need for your entire trip. Let your bank know you’re traveling. If you estimate your budget and add 50%, you’ll be good. ATM fees can add up. Although if you never leave Cancun, you can usually pay in dollars.
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Make sure your ATM gives pesos. 

From Mexico City you can travel on connecting flights to exciting destinations like Merida, Guadalajara, Oaxaca or Chetumal which is 30 minutes from our house.
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Our house is on the north end of Laguna Bacalar. Chetumal is to the south.

However you enter Mexico, by air, car, boat, bicycle or bus, come for a visit. Mexico is the ninth most visited country in the world, and a great place to retire.
DOS TORTAS
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México Surprises Once Again

6 May

We are not people who surprise easily, but Mexico never ceases to amaze. We have traveled throughout this large beautiful country visiting massive pyramids built by intelligent ancients, walked with our mouths open through churches painted in gold leaf…

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A cathedral outside San Miguel de Allende.

We’ve been delighted by spontaneous parades who’s meaning was lost on us. We’ve attended colorful festivals, watched amazing dance performances and swum in crystal clear waterfalls. But nothing prepared us for the catacombs of Tizimín.
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Sulfur mud baths in Rio Lagartos.

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Agua Azul, near Palenque.

If you’ve been following along, you know that last week we took Lisa’s mom to the coast for a bit of a distraction to help her heal from a broken wrist (A Quiet Week In The Jungle
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After a few days at the beach in sleepy Holbox, we checked in to a lovely vacation rental outside of Valladolid for some day-tripping. We headed to Tizimín to show Alice a 1563 Franciscan monastery Lisa and I visited three years ago on our Yucatan meander (The Yucatan Meander Continues.
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We happened upon a video the night before featuring catacombs in Tizimín. Lisa was excited and with very little information, off we went.
We explored the church, asked directions to the catacombs and confidently headed in the direction we were given. After a half hour of asking more directions and driving in circles, “three blocks, turn left…”. We finally found it.

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I’m not sure what we expected but this wasn’t it. Under a private home, handed down four generations, were caves. The area had been solid rock, and was carved out as a quarry of sorts to build local houses. Artists decorated the walls and wrote on the ceilings. It was big and it was not a burial site.
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Down we went.

 

As often is the case, my limited Spanish left us with more questions than answers. With the difficulty in locating the area, it is certainly not a tourist hot spot, but definitely worth the effort.
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There are animal stone carvings throughout.

So if you ever get tired of sparkling beaches, snow covered volcanoes and deep, cool Mayan swimming holes, head to Tizimín. Be prepared to ask directions and be patient because GPS will not help.
DOS TORTAS
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