July 11-12, 2021: Days 20-21

After the spectacular day that was Saturday (Day Nineteen), its easy to feel a little let down. We chose to go with Russel on Saturday because we knew the beach would be closed again for the weekend - which it was. So, there was not a lot to be done, which is pretty much what we did on Sunday.

We did find something that we imagine to be like a cantina. There was a singer/comedian guy who sang karaoke and poked fun at people. We left when it started to get a little rowdy.

Monday was a travel day: back to Mérida. The 25 minute bus ride was about $1 each. Our new hotel is fantastic - elegant even. The internet says its only three stars, which makes me think that these stars must be really hard to come by. There is a restaurant, a swimming pool and an outdoor bar (although we have never seen anyone at it). It even has a family (not sure if that's the right word) of peacocks.

Mr. Peacock. Definitely in charge, and not at all afraid of the likes of me.

Mr. & Mrs. Peacock. The closer I got to her, the closer he got to her.

We went for a stroll along the Pasejo Montejo on Monday and found a Korean Grill, which sounds better than it was but did prove that even mediocre bulgogi is pretty good. A rocking thunderstorm came through on the night of the 13th, leaving us stuck, so we violated one of my travel rules and ate at the hotel. Next time, we'll take an Uber somewhere.

Otherwise, its back to work and we're back to sitting, typing and talking. Blah. But, better than not doing those things.

An so end days twenty and twenty one.

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July 18, 2021: Day Twenty-Seven

Today is Sunday. On Sundays in non-corona times, they shut down the more glamorous part of the Pasejo Montejo and allow for bike-riding. In corona times, they shut down the north-bound lane of the more glamorous part of the Pasejo Montejo to allow for bike-riding and allow the traffic to flow south like normal. We decided that this would be as good a time as any to take a walk on the Pasejo Montejo. Actually, we've been walking up and down this street ever since we came back to Mérida from Progreso. They call the road the "Champs Elysée of Mérida". I have also heard Mérida referred to as the Paris of México. Let me start by saying that I can see the resemblance, but any references to Paris are a bit of a stretch, if you've been to Paris. If you haven't been to Paris, I think maybe the resemblance might be enough. There are a lot of Haussmann-esque homes here, but unlike in Paris, they are isolated, they don't run for blocks and ...

Overview

This year, we are spending thirty-eight days in México. To be exact, the Yucatán peninsula, México. My new calling (minister) provides me with ample vacation time, which I totally mismanaged, leaving nearly half of it untaken. My contract year ends on July 31, so nothing like waiting till the last minute. I also have two weeks per year which I am to dedicate to learning and becoming a better minister. Then, I have one week of General Assembly/Ministers’ Meetings. Normally, General Assembly means travel to a convention hall somewhere, but this being Corona Year Deux, General Assembly is virtual again, meaning as long as I have internet, I’m there! Yucatan Trip Itinerary So, we took off the Tuesday before GA, which is the second of three days of Ministers meetings, which like General Assembly is also virtual. There is a gap of a few days which I’ll get some work done as well. Add it all up, and you’ve got thirty-nine days....

June 28, 2021: Day Seven

Francine had a half day of work today so we worked in the morning and then headed out on a small trek. We walked down to the beautiful malecón. Malecones are a pretty uniquely Latin American thing from my perspective. The only American word we have - and the one often used - is "boardwalk", but that's not accurate. A malecón is a pier or a sidwalk on a sea wall that runs along a seashore. This one had pedestrian paths and bike paths. I've never seen that before. It was Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, with all the glitz stripped away. Unlike the one in Guayaquíl, this one did not have a retail presence. Malecón, Campeche From the malecón we walked to the market, which turned out to be closed. Then, we got a salad lunch back in town. Later in the day it was off for a trolley tour of the city. It is quite a nice city in almost all respects. Its certainly nicer than the historic center of Mérida. Its about 1/8 the population of ...

2021 Visit to the Yucatán

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