Mexico #4

We/I made some bad choices yesterday which will not be made public until Lee BLABS about them. The good choice was taking a leisurely stroll to Cenote IK Kil/sinkhole across the road from our inexpensive/cheap but acceptable Doris Albino Motel. The grounds leading to the sinkhole have a beautiful array of tropical plants and flowers. The sinkhole, after they trot you through the souvenir shop, has stairs leading down a cave with observation areas and signs warning not to jump. Forty foot roots hang from the ceiling and drink from the pure, clear (almost) water of the pool with dribbling streams cascading from the roof. In 2002 some rocks cascaded from the roof and conked a couple of Japanese killing them. Despite idyllic conditions Lee and I chose the look up at the roof, stay dry, be prepared to run option. Besides, the fish looked like they might bite protrusions.
I'm skipping the bad choices section here except to say we used the banos at the bus station. We not only had to pay, but the caretaker tried one, declared it unfit, and opened the second one. If the second was any indication there must have been crap to the ceiling in the first. The stool had a damp string hanging out to flush but wouldn't. Only a gas mask might have enabled you to stay long enough to finish your business. It rivaled India.
We are now at Merida at the sister hotel, Doris Albino, a haven in the Centro area, for $37/night which is a real bargain if they ever get the room made up. Last night we walked to the Plaza Grande along with 10,000 others to enjoy Christmas lights and a Mexican Merida Sunday Festival.
Today we exchanged dollars for pesos at a much better rate than the airport (crooks). Had I stood in line for an hour my rate could have been even better, but felt the no wait, cashier spoke English, line the best option. At the central square, Plaza Grande, we sat down beside Mexican Mini Me who started drawing boats, writing English/Spanish words, and talking to us in 2 word phrases. I nodded occasionally, but finally said, "Adios" when he tore his scribbles to give to me. We prayed for his soul and stature in the huge church across the street, and ran into another more normal person "practicing" his English on us. Alonzo Hernandez's story: he came from a small but beautiful Mayan village with many cenotes and now taught HS history in Merida. We became suspicious when he volunteered to walk us to a government market. Why are we so cynical and old, so very old? More DonKey drivel is available at Amazon Books, Four Keys Overseas.

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