More evidence of modern development along side ancient development in Veracruz, Mexcio
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
San Juan de Ulua
San Juan de Ulua, is a fort that was started in the time of Cortes (late 1500's) as a protection of the new port of Veracruz. Over time and various leaders it grew in size till is basically finished in the 1800's. This fort, even though it was to guard the port from enemies of Mexico, it has been occupied by the Spanish, French and the Americans at one time or another in it's history. It started out as a wall, and now it is quite large. Also, the Mexican government used it as a prison in the late 1800's, since it was such a nasty prison the government closed it in the early 1900's.
When Paul and I came here in 1985 it was surround by weeds and I don't remember anyone visiting it but us. It certainly wasn't a big tourist attraction that it is now. Now it has a museum and most of the 2nd level is closed to the public. I remember walking the outer edges of it and now they seem to be falling apart and closed to the public as well.
It was a trip to see so much development around it, completely surrounded by ship yards, container yards and a navy base. At the entrance is souvenir carts, a entrance fee and lots of taxis and tour buses, and lots of tourists.
Veracruz looks completely different now than when we were there but it still has the same relaxing coastal atmosphere that I remember. It doesn't have the nice white beaches of Acapulco but it isn't as touristy nor as hectic. Next time I need a beach fix, I am going back to Veracruz.
click on flickr for more photos
When Paul and I came here in 1985 it was surround by weeds and I don't remember anyone visiting it but us. It certainly wasn't a big tourist attraction that it is now. Now it has a museum and most of the 2nd level is closed to the public. I remember walking the outer edges of it and now they seem to be falling apart and closed to the public as well.
It was a trip to see so much development around it, completely surrounded by ship yards, container yards and a navy base. At the entrance is souvenir carts, a entrance fee and lots of taxis and tour buses, and lots of tourists.
Veracruz looks completely different now than when we were there but it still has the same relaxing coastal atmosphere that I remember. It doesn't have the nice white beaches of Acapulco but it isn't as touristy nor as hectic. Next time I need a beach fix, I am going back to Veracruz.
click on flickr for more photos
Mi piña
I ordered this drink on the beach in Veracruz, thinking I would be getting this plastic cup of some little drink. Well, after a while I couldn't figure out why it was taking so long. After about 15-20 min. I received this full size pineapple filled with various juices. It was so huge, we were all shocked at how big it was. It took all of us to finish it off.
Us, being, Amanda, Kathy, Richie and me!
Us, being, Amanda, Kathy, Richie and me!
Save as Draft
Monday, April 07, 2008
Can't remember what week it is any more!!
Well, it has been a few weeks since I posted. Not sure who is reading this if anyone at all, so maybe I am just writing for me!!
For spring break, Paul, Melanie and Korinn drove down to Queretaro, which is about 4-5 hours north of me, I took the bus up there and met them. We spent a full day exploring Queretaro. Melanie stayed with her girlfriend Gabby, who she met in Brazil. We had dinner with Gabby and her family. It was a lovely evening with them at Italian restaurant and the food was yummy.
The next day, Mel off with Gabby for the week, Paul, Korinn and I headed to Acapulco. It was a long drive, took about 7 hours. We were lost at least an hour or more in Mexico City. Finding the exit to head to Cuernavaca was tricky when there isn't any signs to be found, eventually we found a sign, but not on the freeway!
Did a quick drive through of Cuernavaca, showed Korinn my old stomping grounds there.
Acapulco was very crowded! Took a while to check into the hotel, turns out because, they didn't have any rooms with 2 beds, as I had reserved. So they gave us an upgrade of a room with a view of the ocean with a king bed and a roll away for Korinn. It was a big room, with a large patio and beautiful views of the ocean and beaches.
I was in Acapulco a year or so, and what a difference. Last time, it was so peaceful and relaxed. This time, very hurried, jam-packed and the locals screaming at you in English, "hey, where you from" "you wanna buy" etc. Lots and lots of young people too. I would say most of the tourists were Mexican but a good smattering of American tourists as well, even a few Europeans.
We spent one day hanging around the hotel and the next day we went on a snorkeling excursion. It was fun, I thought the water was cold, Paul said I was crazy. We had a good time snorkeling and saw a good variety of fish. After that, we just R & R, had dinner out at a yummy seafood restaurant.
Since the hotel gave us the upgrade they managed to re-coop their cost. I had our laundry wash, and checked the complementary box, thinking that it would be free. Surprise, we got a $65 bill at check out. Needless to say, that didn't go over well and we left feeling like we had just been ripped off. It is amazing how a wonderful 3 days can be tarnished in just seconds.
After Acapulco, we had about 36 hours here in Puebla. We stayed in the historical district, so we were able to park the car and not use it while we were here. On our only full day here we walked all over the historical area, visited a museum, watched the Good Friday procession through the streets and had a nice dinner at my host, Esmeralda home. Paul and Korinn met her, her husband Rafael and her 16 yr old grandson, Luis. Luis was a good sport about having dinner with us, he and Korinn did chat a little. He does speak English but very shy (as are most 2nd language learners). Overall a very nice visit.
The next morning at 8am, Korinn and Paul headed out to fetch Melanie and continue on up to Houston. The were at home at 4:30am, which is amazing time.
Now I am just back at school doing what I normally do. It was so strange to say goodbye. I didn't want them to leave. School is going well enough. I can't believe it is almost over, about 6 weeks to go.
Well, it has been a few weeks since I posted. Not sure who is reading this if anyone at all, so maybe I am just writing for me!!
For spring break, Paul, Melanie and Korinn drove down to Queretaro, which is about 4-5 hours north of me, I took the bus up there and met them. We spent a full day exploring Queretaro. Melanie stayed with her girlfriend Gabby, who she met in Brazil. We had dinner with Gabby and her family. It was a lovely evening with them at Italian restaurant and the food was yummy.
The next day, Mel off with Gabby for the week, Paul, Korinn and I headed to Acapulco. It was a long drive, took about 7 hours. We were lost at least an hour or more in Mexico City. Finding the exit to head to Cuernavaca was tricky when there isn't any signs to be found, eventually we found a sign, but not on the freeway!
Did a quick drive through of Cuernavaca, showed Korinn my old stomping grounds there.
Acapulco was very crowded! Took a while to check into the hotel, turns out because, they didn't have any rooms with 2 beds, as I had reserved. So they gave us an upgrade of a room with a view of the ocean with a king bed and a roll away for Korinn. It was a big room, with a large patio and beautiful views of the ocean and beaches.
I was in Acapulco a year or so, and what a difference. Last time, it was so peaceful and relaxed. This time, very hurried, jam-packed and the locals screaming at you in English, "hey, where you from" "you wanna buy" etc. Lots and lots of young people too. I would say most of the tourists were Mexican but a good smattering of American tourists as well, even a few Europeans.
We spent one day hanging around the hotel and the next day we went on a snorkeling excursion. It was fun, I thought the water was cold, Paul said I was crazy. We had a good time snorkeling and saw a good variety of fish. After that, we just R & R, had dinner out at a yummy seafood restaurant.
Since the hotel gave us the upgrade they managed to re-coop their cost. I had our laundry wash, and checked the complementary box, thinking that it would be free. Surprise, we got a $65 bill at check out. Needless to say, that didn't go over well and we left feeling like we had just been ripped off. It is amazing how a wonderful 3 days can be tarnished in just seconds.
After Acapulco, we had about 36 hours here in Puebla. We stayed in the historical district, so we were able to park the car and not use it while we were here. On our only full day here we walked all over the historical area, visited a museum, watched the Good Friday procession through the streets and had a nice dinner at my host, Esmeralda home. Paul and Korinn met her, her husband Rafael and her 16 yr old grandson, Luis. Luis was a good sport about having dinner with us, he and Korinn did chat a little. He does speak English but very shy (as are most 2nd language learners). Overall a very nice visit.
The next morning at 8am, Korinn and Paul headed out to fetch Melanie and continue on up to Houston. The were at home at 4:30am, which is amazing time.
Now I am just back at school doing what I normally do. It was so strange to say goodbye. I didn't want them to leave. School is going well enough. I can't believe it is almost over, about 6 weeks to go.
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