https://youtu.be/i5hVrZTDysU   Mexico Part 1

https://youtu.be/Ld3FAPn5Y4c  Mexico Part 2

There was some apprehension to go to Mexico but we had that also going to the USA. Everywhere there are friendly helpful people. So also, in Mexico. We originally wanted to catch the monthly Ro-Ro ferry from Veracruz in November. The USA was so beautiful that we missed the first opportunity. The second and third were missed due to all the mechanical camper issues. We therefore parked the camper near Mexico City and flew to Netherland for Christmas. Just before we were due to fly back Jamaliah developed a hernia. The MRI showed that an operation was not necessary and the swelling should go down with rest. After some 3 weeks of “rest” Jamaliah was OK to fly back to Mexico and do a reduced, circle through the country. We dropped the visits to the Maya ruins in Guatemala, Honduras and Belize.  We travelled a lot slower and spent more time at the same campsite. Physically all went well and we enjoyed our time. Passepartout however gave up on us. On a motorway stretch the drivebelt snapped and the engine was in ruins. We did not want to write off and abandon our “trusty” companion. In stead we had it transported to the harbour in Veracruz where it was added to a container going to Hamburg. After removal of the MaxxVan and reduce the tire pressure, it fitted through the door of the container (2.6 m).  

While waiting for the camper to be repaired we twice rented a car (La Paz, Guanajuato) to see the surroundings. Without this, the long wait (21 days, 12 days) would have been a challenge.  

Mexico is a vast land to travel through. The narrow peninsula of Baja is mountainace with coastal desserts. Along both the Ocean coast and the Golf of California coast there are interesting old town and inland several monasteries. The area has a few large campsites where American and Canadian “snowbirds” spend the winter. It was only developed after 1700 and has no interesting archaeological sites. Whale watching, snorkelling and surfing is the thing to do. We missed however the whales by a few months. 

The Mexico main land is very populated. There are good roads but, in some areas, they have gone overboard with speedbumps, which you can hit too hard. Many (overland) tourists travel through the country so campsites and hostels are readily available. The UNESCO Heritage cities are well preserved (o.a., Guanajuato, S. Miguel de Allende, San Christobal). No changes to the cobblestone streets and shops (i.e., no loud advertisements). The land is dotted with old monasteries and churches. (Maybe I put too many of them in the slideshows).  

Well known are the many pre-Columbian Pyramids structures. There are many more than we anticipated. An unexpected jewel for us was Tonine in the highlands just after San Cristobal. A large structure built up against the mountain side. Not many tourists visit the site. In its time it was the major city power which concurred many of the nearby cities (Palenque) and ransomed or sacrificed their leaders. Both in the museum in Palenque and in Mexico City there are large stone sarcophagus which original were inside the pyramid.  The death masks are made of small mosaic stones. The Anthropological Museum in Mexico City is a must. All old cultures have a dedicated section and beside the stone and pottery artefacts there are also reconstructed temple wall showing the original colours.  In the centre of Mexico City, the old Aztec temples are slowly being uncovered. Before 1978 the historical site was covered with colonial buildings. Now you can see how the temple was constructed. Each ruler built a new decorative layer over the old one. It now looks like an onion which is being unpeeled. 

Beside the places were Frida Kahlo lived and worked we also visited many murals painted by her Husband Diego Rivera spread out over Mexico City. Rudy found these historical and socialist séances so impressive that a large section of Mexico 2 is dedicated to them. Please forgive him.

Putting these 2 slides shows together has taken some time. I am glad that they are finished.  Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. The channel is rudywelling9730. Our blog with much more details can be found at rudywelling.blog

https://youtu.be/i5hVrZTDysU   Mexico Part 1

https://youtu.be/Ld3FAPn5Y4c  Mexico Part 2

Jamaliah and Rudy Welling

8/7/2024