Judy's Holiday

[rtbaum]

Debarkation in Cozumel, Mexico, the final port of call was a flurry of activity. Check and make sure we have all necessary paperwork available, grab the day's respective backpacks of necessary gear, grab water, get in line, etc.

By the time we passed through the throngs of vendors and boarded the ferry to Playa del Carmen, we were already hot and tired. The ride across the strait separating the island of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on the mainland was pretty rough and was the only time that we saw any seasickness

Our destination for the day was Tulum. We boarded an "air-conditioned" bus, it seems the air conditioning gave out midway; after about an hour, we finally arrived at Tulum archeological park. Once again, we navigated the vendors trying to convince you that you must get your picture taken with some guy in costume.

I gained a valuable insight.....they avoid guys with their own camera


note the strategic placement of the club

We had the option of taking a tractor driven 'cattle wagon' or hoofin' it to the archeological site. Walking through the swampy scrub was way more fun!




Ironwood-B&W



I submit this next shot as reference only.


This is an indication of how these sites would appear to the archeological teams seeking the jungles of the Mayaland for the great cities of the Mayan empire. If you look closely, you will note remains of a wall which protected the city from invasion by land....


along with the nearly impenetrable swamp

Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel....no....literally...We had to pass through a tunnel through the 12' thick wall to access the city



More to come...........

[IzzieK]

I don't think there are any pictures from the cruise on Flickr. I do have several snaps of towel critters, and a few other 1/4 decent shots I can mess with and upload. The behind the scenes tour didn't allow any photography though; couldn't even bring your phone.

I am quite surprised about that tour, Sam...why didn't they allow photography? I will need to ask around when I start planning our tour as I feel bored when I am not doing anything especially with a group. I'd like to know so I do not mistakenly book them.

[Dave Humphries]

The behind the scenes tour didn't allow any photography though; couldn't even bring your phone.

I am quite surprised about that tour, Sam...why didn't they allow photography? I will need to ask around when I start planning our tour as I feel bored when I am not doing anything especially with a group. I'd like to know so I do not mistakenly book them.

I am not at all surprised, just think about it for a moment; I'm sure the crew have a hard enough time keeping the public areas of the ship clean and tidy, so it would be inevitable that behind the scenes areas might, on occasion, contain the odd pile of 'untidy' that the Cruise Company wouldn't want to risk people photographing and tweeting, with the implication it had been taken in a public area. That would be very bad for business.

I wouldn't rule them out based on these grounds alone.
If any Cruise Lines do allow photos in such areas, that just means they're not showing you everywhere.

That said, I'm sure there are things going on behind the scenes we wouldn't countenance in our own homes, but that's true wherever when we go out to eat, be it Dumpling Lady's kiosk, on a Cruise, or even a top restaurant. Ya just gotta hope ...

[rtbaum]

For me, the ugliest part of the trip was after the cruise. We left the ship at 9AM, shuttled to Fort Lauderdale for a 14 hour wait in the airport terminal. The terrorist attacks in Paris were on-going, there had been a bomb scare two days previous at the airport (ironically, the flight from Fort Lauderdale to Minneapolis). Security was the tightest that I have ever witnessed, soldiers armed with assault weapons, bomb sniffing dogs, the works. I was not particularly comfortable whipping out the camera to document the occasion.....kinda was tempting though.

[rtbaum]

I first visited the Quintana Roo province of Mexico about 10 years ago and was fascinated with the Mayan culture. I have always been the science guy and knowing what this civilization came up with the seemingly simple concept of zero simply blew my mind. Zero establishes an anchoring point in mathematics, with zero you can now have -1 as well as +1


(there will be no real correlation between photos or narrative in this post)

Our system of numbering is based on the number of fingers on our hands (base 10), our calendar is based on the estrus cycle and lunar cycle(thus 12 months). The Mayans were far more advanced in matters of mathematics and astronomy.....they recognized that we have 20 digits, not 10 (base 20), a woman experiences estrus 13 times and the moon is full 13 times in a lunar year. The Mayan calendar recognizes these factors and is considered to be much more accurate.


The window is aligned precisely to frame the rising sun at vernal equinox

The main body of the Mayan civilization was composed of farmers utilizing slash and burn agriculture to grow corn, beans, squash. They lived their lives in the periphery of the walled city-state. Within the walls stood a intricately designed arrangement of temples around a commons where much commerce was practiced.



The temples were designed by the elite class of astronomers, mathematicians, and priests who pretty much charted when to plant, when to go to war, when to party, when to fast.



The Mayans were a rather war-like people and conflict between city-states was frequent.

At times the priests would feel that it was necessary to pay tribute to the sun. They would choose the strongest, bravest warrior of losing city-state and lay him over a sacrificial curved stone, take an obsidian knife, make a cut below the sternum, remove the still beating heart, and place it in a bowl......It was quite the honor!!!



You will not find fresh water flowing on the Yucatan...all freshwater is subterranean, scattered about you will find cenotes. Cenotes provided (and still do) freshwater to the community. In order to assure the continued availability of fresh water would require the occasional sacrificial throwing of young girls into the cenote.

Tulum was unique in the Mayan world, as it is the only coastal city-state and allowed trade of two special resources; cacao and chicle.



Cacao was used as a form of currency, much valued as a beverage by the elite. If you traveled, it was wise to watch you bag of beans closely.

Chicle was extracted from a tree and could be chewed or fashioned into a ball for a favorite sport, best thought of a combination of soccer and basketball.....the victors of the championship match being summarily executed!!



The priests and scribes did leave leave a written record on "books" of paper made of fiber from palms, think of it as a form of dictionary. These books were used by the priests to dictate what was written on the walls of the temples.

When the Spanish conquered the Yucatan, their first act was to attempt to destroy every vestige of this "pagan" religion. They were largely successful. There remain only 3 partial "books" of the code to interpret what is written on the walls of the temples.


Enough for one post, obviously.....I loved exploring this spot, it has its own charm.



there should be at least one iguana shot!!!

[SamRothstein]

I am quite surprised about that tour, Sam...why didn't they allow photography? I will need to ask around when I start planning our tour as I feel bored when I am not doing anything especially with a group. I'd like to know so I do not mistakenly book them.

It's mostly for security reasons. You go down into the engine room, onto the bridge, in the kitchens, the laundry rooms, and more. Can't have people taking pics of sensitive and secure areas that control the boat! Definitely a very fun thing if you like seeing the gears of an operation grind, even if you can't take pictures.

[IzzieK]

For me, the ugliest part of the trip was after the cruise. We left the ship at 9AM, shuttled to Fort Lauderdale for a 14 hour wait in the airport terminal. The terrorist attacks in Paris were on-going, there had been a bomb scare two days previous at the airport (ironically, the flight from Fort Lauderdale to Minneapolis). Security was the tightest that I have ever witnessed, soldiers armed with assault weapons, bomb sniffing dogs, the works. I was not particularly comfortable whipping out the camera to document the occasion.....kinda was tempting though.

Having seen that sort of environment at some stage of my life after 9/11 and before that, I kinda avoid taking photographs of them too. Shame these things happened but they do...

[IzzieK]

Those people are barbaric to say the least. I like your shots though...

[rtbaum]

Those people are barbaric to say the least. I like your shots though...

Thank you for your support, Izzie.

How barbaric is dependent on your point of view. One may say that marching into a holiday party and hosing them down with assault weapons is barbaric. The willful distribution of blankets infected with small pox to exterminate native americans was barbaric. Really depends on what side of the coin.

[IzzieK]

Too true...but compare how many people in the world just go about their ways wishing and doing no harm to anyone, these are the minority, the evil ones who has no respect for human life. Just a thought...

Thank you for your support, Izzie.

How barbaric is dependent on your point of view. One may say that marching into a holiday party and hosing them down with assault weapons is barbaric. The willful distribution of blankets infected with small pox to exterminate native americans was barbaric. Really depends on what side of the coin.

[rtbaum]

Just to let you know that I was not the only photographer in Tulum.........not sure I approve of the subject though


Man...you Canonites sure start them early


I think we will do a little cleanup of Tulum

http://i63.tinypic.com/23kqn1d.jpg




can you find the iguana?





I might add that Tulum has an advantage over other Mayan ruins.......It has a beach!!!

[Dave Humphries]

can you find the iguana?

Yes

[IzzieK]

Yes...I did too...

[SamRothstein]

I found the Iguana, and liked the cliff/beach shot as well.

[rtbaum]

After touring the archaeological site it was time to board the bus and return to Playa del Carmen for an hour of shopping before the return ferry to Cozumel and the ship. Problem was that I really don't shop that much and our bags were already over weight for the return flight, so we were happy to wander around and catch some local sights.




I found the best way to deal with pesky vendors was to be a pesky photographer





We quickly got tired of the vendors and turned down a side street



Much better!!


Obligatory "I was here" shot



What can I say......This the last I will see flowering plants outdoors for 6 months





and open water for that matter



Life is so cruel

[rtbaum]

After departing Cozumel, it was the last day at sea. Time for parting shots and preparation for the long day of debarkation and sitting in the airport. The day started with a quiet breakfast, where I met the cutest young boy. Neither of us spoke the other's language, but we managed to communicate through the camera.




What a cutie!!!

I have to admit that I am a bit of a curmudgeon around kids (think Mr. Wilson from 'Dennis the Menace'), but I was impressed by how well behaved the children were on this cruise.

This day produced my favorite sunrise



We occupied ourselves with shopping in the duty-free shops on-board,



shooting favorite areas of the ship,



had a nice lunch,







and, of course, people watching



Then it was time to pack up for the return to a much colder Minnesota


....and our much missed canine-kid.





Thank you all for allowing me to share my cruise

[Dave Humphries]

Thank you all for allowing me to share my cruise

Thank you Randy for sharing with us, I have looked forward to these updates over the last three weeks.

[rtbaum]

Thank you Randy for sharing with us, I have looked forward to these updates over the last three weeks.

And thank you, Dave

[IzzieK]

It was a real journey through the images you shared with us and the story...I really enjoyed following these. One question Bill kept asking me -- did you stick out as an American anywhere you go or do you feel you are just one with the crowd?

[rtbaum]

Jamaica is primarily of West African decent, Mexico is a mix of Mayan and whatever. I am German, Scotch, and whatever. I was carrying 50# of photo gear and wearing a bright red floral print shirt. I think I blended in

In all seriousness, the Caribbean has always been the proverbial melting pot. The islands were originally occupied by Arawak and Carib. The Arawak were a happy little clan that learned to live off the resources of suitable islands, they traded with the Mayans of the mainland. The Carib were cannibals. Very few Arawak remained when Columbus made landfall. After Columbus, Carib became extinct. West African slaves became the majority in the 18th and 19th centuries. Around 1830, the slaves revolted and pretty much demanded emancipation, which was achieved. Racial differences are viewed differently in the Caribbean, nobody really gives a hoot about it.


PS-Now that I think of it...Maybe I did stick out.......I was the only one with bird poop on his backpack!