Cancun August 2011 Blog #4

As our final full day was among all of us, there was some sadness, but much celebration as it was Christine’s 19th Birthday. The day mostly consisted of lying by the pool or getting in some last minute shopping downtown, not to mention Brad taking out the catamaran one last time. Andi and Christine won a game of bingo, and received prices of a hat and a bag, where Andi happened to mention to the announcer of the Bingo game that it was Christine’s birthday and he then preceded on getting the entire hotel to sing to her Happy Birthday, much to her dismay. Later on, everyone meet up in the Lobby for some cocktails and then walked over to the Steakhouse, which all agreed was the best of the three specialty restaurants at the Hotel. After a delicious meal, some cake, and singing, everyone scattered into different directions, either back to their rooms, the bar, watching the artists paint, or towards the theater. As Bill and Dottie headed off towards bed, everyone else thought about what they were going to do that night. As Christine headed back up towards her room, she discovered a surprise from the hotel, another cake, champagne, a card, and they also gave her a set of maracas, and a mini sombrero. Nicky, Tim, Brad, and new found friends Sophia and Don headed off towards another fun night at the Congo, while Christine, Jen, Andi, and Danny went and tried out Senior Frogs. After some bull-riding and beer drinking contests, Danny left to go party at Congo, while Andi, Jen, and Christine headed back towards the hotel. It turned out to be another awesome day on an overall awesome trip, and as Christine said “a great way to celebrate her Birthday.”

Chich'en Itzá

Sunlight plummets into an expansive limestone cavern through an opening in the ceiling. The rays fall through a plume of dust and incense and ultimately dive into the emerald colored depths of a subterranean fresh water lake. "Fresh" is the critical descriptor. Although the Northern Yucatán Peninsula is a rainy place, you wont find any lakes or streams to swim in --or to drink from. Here, highly permeable soils quickly drain water to the subsurface. It is this reality that belies the importance of the city "at the mouth of the well of enchanted water," literally, Chich'en Itzá.

Chich'en Itzá archeology and anthropology are intimately related to the Earth sciences of geology, hydrology, and astronomy. The site is literally named after the cenotes, or natural limestone sinkhole-caverns, some of which were used for drinking water and others for ritual sacrifice. The architecture at Chich'en Itzá is famous for its astronomical calibration, allowing, for example, for the illumination of a certain serpentine facade on only the equinox days.

The monumental architecture of Chich'en Itzá is constructed from the same limestone that houses the underground lake we visit, a rock that formed in warm tropical waters millions of years ago. Limestone was the building rock of choice for the Mayans as it was for the Egyptians at Giza. The same rock type is also to be found on the facade of the Empire State Building and the foundation of the Athenian Parthenon. Limestone is heavy, easy to cut, and, --perhaps most importantly to the anthropologist-- preserves both fine-scale carvings and monumental pyramids over time-scales of millennia.

I leave the tour group at Chich'en Itzá, perhaps wanting to feel the aura of the place rather than have it dissected for me. I can always read up later, I figure. I feel a sense of loss knowing that climbing the central pyramid is not longer permitted because it is seen as a liability risk after a California woman fell to her death in 2006. I take an expansive view of the site closures, figuring that my respectful footsteps pale in comparison to centuries of looting and intentional desecration. Wondering in an abandoned section of the ruins, I stop next to an enormous iguana and watch as the forest retakes the curvilinear forms carved in stone. A trail of ants carry away chunks of a tropical plant. I imagine that I am an early explorer, and have just come across these mysterious structures for the first time.

-Blogger of the day, Brad

Travel Update!

Well, our Monday was equally as enjoyable as our weekend here in beautiful Cancun. Most of the grandkids ventured into downtown yesterday to try out their haggling skills with much success. Andi was able to talk someone all the way down to $50 from a starting price of $110 for a ring. Andi and Christine then ended up making a somewhat extended trek from downtown to the WalMart in the heart of Cancun. All of the grandkids have enjoyed experiencing the real Cancun including several flea markets and many local restaurants.
Brad arrived on Monday evening and we had our first dinner as a whole group. Bill’s grandkids and Dottie’s grandkids have enjoyed getting to know each other better and learning more about our new extended families.

Dottie and Bill have continued working very hard. They arrive at their pool side office early in the day and continue entertaining clients late into the evening at the lobby bar.

The grandkids have continued their exploration of Cancun night life. Andrea, Brad, Danny, Tim and Nikky went to the world famous Coco Bongo where they were treated to quite a show of lights, music, acrobatics and trapeze in addition to the usual drinks and dancing.

On Tuesday Brad and Tim spent much of the day out on a Catamaran. Brad spent a lot of time teaching Tim how to sail while Tim spent most of the time just enjoying the water and sunshine. Andrea, Christine and Jennifer ventured back into Old Cancun for another after noon of shopping and continued to find great deals on gifts for family and friends.

Everyone has been able to practice their Spanish which has been enjoyable for some and a challenge for many! Tomorrow Andrea, Brad, Danny, Tim, Nikky and Christine will venture to Chichen Itza and learn more about the histories and traditions of the ancient Mayan civilizations in Mexico!

Cancun August 2011 Blog 1

Hello friends and family! Welcome to the first installment of our Cancun blog! We have landed and arrived safely after a somewhat prolonged entrance into Mexico at the airport for the grandkids. Dottie and Bill were able to zip through customs and passport checks due to her “wheelchair necessity” while the grandkids were delayed for nearly two hours. Yet by 7 we were all checked in and ready to officially begin our vacation.
Danny, Tim and Nicky decided to embrace the spirit of adventure and check out the nightlife in downtown Cancun Saturday night. They found a plethora of bars and clubs downtown and enjoyed a full night of drinking and dancing. As luck would have it, Bill was just getting his day going as they were turning in, and they exchanged salutations as they passed each other on their way.
Most of Sunday was spent by all lounging by the pool. Tim and Nicky embarked on a parasailing journey while Andrea, Danny, Jennifer, Christine, Bill and Dottie worked hard on their tans. The weather was very cooperative, and the pool was at near bathwater temperature. It was a much needed day of leisure for all parties, taking in generous quantities of pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris.
The entire family convened for dinner at the buffet, and all continue to be impressed by the variety of cuisines offered at there. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal with even better company. The grandkids have plans to explore downtown again while Dottie and Bill keep the lobby bartenders company. Everyone is thoroughly enjoying vacation thus far. On Monday Brad arrives, and the crew is excited to greet him and quickly show him the ropes of our fabulous hotel.
Bogger for the day. Andrea