Welcome to our cyberjournal. Day 1 and 2 have been incredible, and too much to soak in honestly.
We found our cozy little hostel, called "The Nest," deep in the local streets of Cancún. The rooms each had names like Hufflepuff and Gryffendor. Our Cancún experience was just a little different from the Spring Break scenes MTV portrays. Cancún is a bustling little town, kinda dirty and "ugly," to quote the Lonely Planet guidebook. Which is true. But the locals are welcoming and some of them more than happy to help you, whether it be for their own benefits, or mere desire to engage in conversation with a foreigner. Shoutout to Carmen, the lady who showed up in more than one location, trying to sell us a cruise/resort package on the street, and then later a taco at a street vender. She works hard.
Nother shoutout to Darky and Raúl from the seafood restaurant where we feasted on fish and shrimp tacos, and a monster ceviche with tostadas. Then we hopped on the bus to check out the strip of beaches/resorts/plazas where vacationers go. We drooled at the monstrous hotels and their backyard beaches and enjoyed the view and malls catered to people with money. We got our 100 peso ice creams and returned downtown to our hostel.
It was already 9pm and the neighborhood was alive with families and vendors and picturesque lights and cute little kids blowing bubbles and riding go-carts. THIS PLACE IS SO CHILL. I would have much rather spent the evening in town than out in the areas made for the tourists.
Next morning we explored a supermarket. It wasn´t so exotic but come on! How often do we get a chance to step into a Mexican grocery store. Then to Tumul!
We got to explore the famous Mayan ruins surrounded by three stone walls, three because one side is already protected by the beach! So after seeing the ancient structures, we stepped into the Caribbean waters for the first time. This beach was postcard-worthy.
Tonight´s hostel, The Weary Traveler, has a laidback bohemian feel, complimentary breakfast and shuttlebus to the ruins/beach. This place is legit. Maybe we can make friends with the other weary travelers. Some hail from Holland, including Yuka´s cutie, who coincidentally came on the bus with us from Cancún. He traveled up from Peru, staying in places for months at a time by himself and going home in 4 days.We talk with fellow travelers and smiley locals and take in the sights and sounds these places have to offer and we´re trying so hard to take it slow and digest everything as we go, but one day here and one day there just doesn´t do it justice. No one´s in a rush here. Only us, with our intense itinerary and digital watches.
Next on our agenda: call the rents. Our Asian parents are most likely sitting by the phones worried sick.
Activia and coffee still hasn´t done much for our indigestion.
In the words of Yuka and Ice Cube, "Today was a good day." Even though we got jipped by a bus driver.
Adios Mexico! Tomorrow we´re headed for BELIZE!
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