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Background: The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000 as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections.

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By BGC
April 26th 2008

Ruins and waterfalls in Chiapas

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

the ruins of Palenque

Palenque is a small town in the Southern Mexican state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala. It´s more Central American than Mexican as its surrounded by thick green jungle and humidity you almost have to swim through. The main draw here is a set of ruins built by the Mayans that have been absorbed into the jungle and untouched for a very long time. They were good to wander around for a few hours in the morning when the sun wasn't fully overhead. I caught the nightbus out of Mexico city in order to save a bit of time and [View Full Entry]

By negativegorilla
April 23rd 2008

Mehikon auringon alla

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » San Cristobal de las Casas

Nyt olenkin jo Meksikossa, tosin ainakin tarkoituksena on viela tehda kierros Guatemalan kautta ennen Cancuniin menoa mutta sen nakee sitten miten siina hommassa kay. San Salvadorissa vierahti sitten pari paivaa kun tapasin hostellilla mukavan Sveitsilaisen Michaelin, jonka kanssa kaytiin tutustumassa myos San Salvadorin yoelamaan. Muita valkoihoisia ei juuri missaan nakynyt, ja saimmekin osaksemme kohtuuttoman paljon huomiota. Ihan positiivisessa mielessa kuitenkin, ettei siina sinansa mitaan. San Salvadorista jai hieman takakirea kuva, ainakin muuhun latinalaiseen Amerikkaan verrattuna. Kaup [View Full Entry]

By andy k
April 10th 2008

San Cristobal

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » San Cristobal de las Casas

One Last Antigua Pic

This blogging thing takes a lot of work it seems, or at least a longish attention span. Have been moving around a bunch since the last post, but have been having some trouble finding computers that are good with the photos. The week of Spanish classes went great--while in Guatemala. Then I left for San Cristobal, Mexico, and no one´s been able to understand a word I´ve been saying since. Before leaving Xela, I went up to the Chichicastenango market, a huge Mayan outdoor market happening twice a week. Got there a little late for the crowds, but it was still [View Full Entry]

By El Desperado de las Montanas
April 5th 2008

Ancient Ruins

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Palenque

Flash, followed but a roaring, billowing BOOM. The lightning is close, very close. The sky is a constant flicker of light as sparks jump through the clouds. A heavy rain pitter patters on the aluminum roof of the truck. We just cooked a vegetable pasta dinner in the most extreme cooking conditions of my life. We were able to get the stove started on the tail gate just before the storm hit. instantly everything became dark as the thick storm clouds blocked the setting sun. Intense rain descended and we were soaked to the core in a matter of seconds. There [View Full Entry]

By El Desperado de las Montanas
April 4th 2008

Agua Azul

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Agua Azul

Canyon Mouth

The tranquil roar of rushing rapids over limestone fills my ears and penetrates deep into my core, washing away my worries and letting some calming peace flow in. Fireflies dance in the night sky as Orion creeps out from behind the jungle canopy. It's safe to say that this is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. With our hammocks strung between a couple rocks near the river, we relax, enjoying the luxury of our remote campsite at Agua Azul. Situated where the clear, turquoise river comes rushing out of a narrow steep limestone canyon, we went as far [View Full Entry]

By Didge
March 31st 2008

One crazy border crossing.

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » San Cristobal de las Casas

Amber for sale
Necklace made from amber.

San Cristobal was a lot colder than we were expecting. Apparently the altitude is about 2100 metres. We spent 2 nights here. San Cristobal is the Amber capital of Mexico, with every 3rd shop selling amber. The next leg of our journey was the most hectic so far. In brief our transportation was as follows - quality Mexican bus to the last town in Mexico, taxi to the Mexican-Guatemalan border, get immmigration cards and passports stamped at border, Tuk-tuk from the border to the chicken bus stop, chicken bus to our hired van...then on to our accomodation for the night! Suffice [View Full Entry]

By Mamakass
March 29th 2008

Chiapas...Yeah!

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » San Cristobal de las Casas

So, I just got back to Merida from my AWESOME trip to Chiapas. Chiapas, by the way, is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL place. There are mountains and it´s hilly and there are lots of trees and nature, probably due to the trees. So, let´s take it day by day. Day 1: Monday: Leaving Merida. We left on a 7:15 pm bus (it´s a 14 hour bus ride, and there´s a particular forest (where the zapatistas are) that you have to drive through during daylight, so they always leave Merida at night). So the bus was fine, except it was FREEZING. I swear, [View Full Entry]

By Didge
March 27th 2008

The Jungle Ruins

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Hot Chillies anyone?
Everytime the bus looked like stopping, stall owners came out of nowhere to sell their wares.

After a rather uneventful 10 hour bus trip from Merida (well the only thing of interest was the militray checkpoint where little Mexicans with big guns did a random search of our luggage, including Soni´s), we finally reached Palenque. The next day we went to the Mayan ruins of Palenque, which are even more impressive that those at Chichen Itza. These ruins are in more of a jungle setting, the humidity is high, and the bug count is even higher! Unlike Itza, were were able to climb some of the pyramids, and in one or two of them, go inside and [View Full Entry]

By zerotonine
March 21st 2008

Palenque - Party, Party, Party

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Ok, auf diesem Hoehenflug immer weiter.. trampen scheint ja nicht gefaehrlich und somit auf den Pickups immer weiter. doch diesmal schien mir das glueck nicht so hold zu sein.. schlussendlich fand ich mich irgendwo im guegerihue wieder an einer tankstelle (immerhin moeglichkeit zum essen, trinken, quatschen) und warten.. nach 4 stunden und voelliger dunkelheit war selbst das nicht mehr lustig. hab dann schon mal ne stelle ausfindig machen koennen um dort zu uebernachten (ja natuerlich hinter dem shop von der tanke) aber dann hielt dann zum glueck doch noch ein reisebus, der sich meiner erbarme [View Full Entry]

By zerotonine
March 20th 2008

San Cristobal - ne stadt

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » San Cristobal de las Casas

meine lieben.... also nachdem ich nun 3 wochen am strand geschlafen hab, konnte ich doch mal den entscheid faellen weiterzugehen.. aber he das war nur mit schwerem herzen moeglich... denn eigentlich koennte es doch ewig so weitergehen.. aufwachen mit der sonne.. baden.. essen.. tanzen.. feuer machen.. etc. etc. etc. aber ja.. bin vorgestern mal los.. und hab es sogar geschafft diesen weg (immerhin 600km) zu trampen.. somit bin ich jetzt erstmal hier.. aber he ihr denkt wohl ich habe meine hippiefamilie hinter mir gelassen.. weit gefehlt.. in palenque ist naemlich ein mega happening.. ne [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » North America » Mexico » Chiapas