In Campeche, the Coconut Shrimp Capital of the Universe!

Finally, I have found an internet cafe that is working! It turns out that here in Yucatan, most hotels now have wifi. I should have brought a laptop.

In any case, we are now in Campeche, a lovely Colonial city that is often used by Mexican movie production companies to make historical movies. It has cobbled streets and a lovely town square with a magnificent cathedral. It used to be hounded by pirates until a thick stone wall plus baluartes (bastions) and two forts overlooking the Gulf of Mexico were erected.

We are surrounded by Maya people who come out to the town square on the weekend to listen to free concerts. The whole family is there – all age groups. I enjoy being surrounded by all age groups, balloon and snack vendors.

Talking about a carnival atmosphere, we just left one of my favorite places – Izamal, the home of Izamna the legendary creator god of the Maya. It is another lovely Colonial town which is one of the few places containing pyramids that have not been abandoned. The city flows all around the structures which include the largest pyramid in the Yucatan. My legs are so sore from climbing it!

Izamal is also the site of an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Pope John Paul II (Juan Pablo II in Spanish) made a pilgrimmage here in 1993. This weekend happens to be the great celebration of the Virgin of the Yucatan. There were carnival rides, trinket stands, a tons and tons of people pouring in – 300,000 by some estimates plus, the downtown streets are torn up to update the infrastructure. What chaos! We made a wrong turn and ended up on a street torn up with a huge ditch for underground electric wiring and mounds of dirt. This is the kind of excitement you don’t want!

Well, my hour is about up at the internet cafe!

Blessings,
Carol Chapman