Valladolid on to Merida Mexico


After waking in Vallodolid (va ya doulid) at 8:30 having a light hot shower and a leisurely morning that included doing my fingernails putting on makeup and Andrew’s bracelets as well as putting my hair up, I did some email.

I need to decide what to do about my work and writing. Can I really write on an iPhone? Get an iPad? Buy a new Air? I vacillate between the flexibility a new Mac brings me and the freedom of not having one. I have not yet released my upset over losing my Mac. Backpackers do travel with computers. I think everyone save for a couple had one at last nights hostel.

Anyway, the hostel closed at noon and wanted 40 pesos to keep my bag for the day. I have no idea when I would be able to get it back. There is a Cinote right in town but while it would be refreshing, it is not fun alone, so I am skipping that. Had I been able to keep my bag for any amount of time I think I’d have walked over to it. Instead I started off to ADO bus station with a nice Italian couple I met. (the man sported an apple logo so we talked. Yes he travels with his mac. 2 people, 2 computers, months, from San Francisco (apple append google included) down thru Mexico.). The Town Square was within sight just a few blocks away so with some advice from them, I walked over, full pack on my back, Boston thongs on my feet, Merrill shoes in my canvas bag.

Valladolid Town Square

There is a stylish church anchoring one side of the square but it locked up just as I touched the door. I walked through the small park, stopping to take a panoramic shot of it from church, past the fountain, to some of the regular buildings that are the style of this town.

The town is Colonial, I am told. The buildings are right angles, deep golds and reds that are old world and elegant, simple, solid, honest, unpretentious, attractive.

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Town square

At the other end of the square, across the small 2-3 lane street, is an arch-covered open-arch sided, indoor market of product stalls, elegant gold shops, and cocinas (food stalls).

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My lunch

My eyes went to the large round glasses of fresh juice and I ordered a fresh mixture of orange, carrot, papaya, no water or sugar added. 20 pesos. Cold and sweet and fantastic. And the carrot is fiber, something that alludes me here. For food I ordered 4 tacos that are in a tamotoe sauce and are a local thing. 40 pesos. 3 tacos fill me. One still sits on my plate. it was enjoyable to eat as I watched the world outside and felt the fresh breeze that flows through this market so well. I was the only non-Mexican here.

 

Right next door is a beautiful hotel and restaurant. The tables surround a classic fountain and the decor is muted tiles and greenery. I liked my market just fine but with friends as company and conversation this is a place to have a great mealtime get together. And now I know where the more mature visitors to this town might go, myself included. Lunch runs about 98 pesos to 140. The hotel is about $80 I was told by a local.

To the Bus

I then headed to the bus station to go to Medida. Daniel is very easy-going about when I arrive, day or time. I ran into a British man I’d met last night. He was looking for info on the collectivo to Chizen Itza as I left the bus station.

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My bus ticket

In 5 minutes, at 3:02pm, I board the bus. 148 pesos for the direct bus. For 90 I could have taken the bus that stops in every town along the way. I’d get to see the towns that way but I prefer to arrive 1.5 hours sooner. I learned the price and time differences thanks to traveller Fernando and his friend as they arrived. They will be in Merida in 3 days so Fernando suggested maybe we can go around together. I have his cell in my coin purse and he has my email. (Note: I forgot about this until too late as I returned to this post to add the photo.)

There is not a single traveller on my bus. I was hoping. But it is a very comfortable bus. Clean and plush, repeat with reclining seats, window shades and a TV. Watching can help me with Spanish. (i must find out what this surfing penquin animated movie is.) My backpack is checked below. They give a receipt for each bag.

This is my first time actually writing something down as it happens. That feels good. I now have 2 hours to watch the scenery, watch tv and type it my thoughts on this iPhone.

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