Easier now for Ukrainians and Russians to travel to Mexico

[Gator]

In English it would not be Carmen's Beach but Carmel Beach : Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patron saint of Cancún and the patroness of the Carmelite Order, named from Mount Carmel in northern Israel - in Hebrew Har HaKarmel (הַר הַכַּרְמֶל‎‎) means God's vineyard.

Mount Carmel

Okay, us protestants have a different approach with the use of saints.

Here's one for you and your fellow  smartass linguists.  What is the meaning of Sian Ka'an, the UNESCO World Heritage site south of Tulum I mentioned above?  No fair using Google; however, without Google you may be stumped because the words are Mayan, which is spoken today by several million people.  Anyway, the words translate to an enchanting expression with the simple yet descriptive prose of native American tongue.

[Jumper]

Gator-

no idea, from your hints just guessing it is along the lines of the word xcaret...
that was just mayan for small inlet or bay...

a mayan word descriptive of the that areas or regions primary features?

[SANDRO43]

Here's one for you and your fellow  smartass linguists.  What is the meaning of Sian Ka'an, the UNESCO World Heritage site south of Tulum I mentioned above? No fair using Google; however, without Google you may be stumped because the words are Mayan, which is spoken today by several million people. 

OK. Given the location, it should be the Yucatec variant of Maya and, according to Breaking the Maya Code (p. 219), ka'an/can could either be four, snake or sky.

Since you say that:

the words translate to an enchanting expression with the simple yet descriptive prose of native American tongue.

I'd lean towards sky . No idea about sian, though .

[Gator]

Since you say that:I'd lean towards sky . No idea about sian, though .

Good choice, Sandro, yet no banana for you as it is incomplete (perhaps a coconut).

Supposedly Sian Ka'an translates as "Where The Sky Is Born."  The locale is east of the major ancient Mayan cities, and Mayans were good students of astronomy.  However, Cancun is farther east.  When I asked my guide about this, he had no explanation.  Anyway, where the sky is born is very descriptive.

[chivo]

Yes, it is Carmen's Beach or Playa del Carmen.   

To address AJ's questions about what we did -  hang out doing nothing.  I was still recovering from a concussion and got dizzy when climbing the Mayan ruins.  So my pace was not as active as I normally prefer, and this was to her liking  (she has always complained in the past about my wanting to do too much rather than just rest in nature).  I watched the NFL playoffs and she did not complain (she could be a keeper).
 
No golf  and no all-inclusive hotels.  We took the public bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen, and after a few days I rented a car so we explored on our own.  Driving was easy, and I even used a rental car company with a remote dropoff. 

No Xcaret or other Disney type experiences.   Besides the Mayan ruins, we ventured into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere (million acres south of Tulum) for some kayaking (with a guide).  The long bumpy ride getting there  made me dizzy, so it was a joy to paddle for a few hours.  Although nothing special to see considering that I am surrounded by much of the same wildlife and mangroves here, my RW liked it.  It was refreshing to observe the Mexican restrictions on development to protect this valuable nursery for the sea (e.g., only 8% of a privately owned parcel can be disturbed). 

I was thinking about a ferry ride to Cozumel but I got turned off upon seeing the cruise ships' ferry dump hundreds of tourists at the dock in Playa del Carmen.  I had planned a ferry to Punta Allen (well south of Tulum) but we were too lazy.

In Playa del Carmen we stayed at the Hotel Adventura Mexican.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d226759-Reviews-Hotel_Aventura_Mexicana-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html 

It was perfect for my simple tastes, and not expensive, and was an easy walk from both the older central part and the newer areas with better restaurants.   The only drawback was a three block walk to the beach.  Yet I have stayed at all inclusive hotels in Turkey with a longer walk.

For a good time at night I suggest the Coco  Bongo Night Club.  It did not start until around midnight and we ere always asleep (but everyone who went loved it).  $45 per person including all the drinks you want if you tip.   We were in Miami earlier and she had a great time at the Cuban night clubs which started around 9:30-10:00 and served a delicious mojito. 

So what did it remind you of more, Darfur or Tehran?  

[ECOCKS]

Some rooms opened up in Guadalajara if anyone was looking for a quick getaway for Valentine's Day weekend......

6 killed in Guadalajara bar shooting

(CNN) -- Gunmen opened fire Saturday in a downtown bar in the tourist district of Guadalajara, Mexico, killing six people and wounding another 37, the Jalisco state prosecutor said.

The suspects also threw a grenade into the bar after the shooting, state news agency Notimex reported. A Colombian and a Venezuelan are among the possible victims of the attack. Their nationalities were under investigation Saturday, Notimex reported.

Violence has escalated in Guadalajara, an economic and tourist hub in Mexico, which in recent weeks has seen a spate of killings and road blockades by organized criminals.

...

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/02/12/mexico.bar.shooting/index.html?hpt=T2

[Gator]

Guadalajara is a large city, over 4 million people with a growing expat population.  It is worth a short visit, primarily to ride the Tequila Express.  It certainly is not a tourist mecca, and I doubt the killings involved gringoes. 

[Gylden]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jYO_H9Q1chg0X7RAfZmxypuCYTdQ?docId=5924844

"MANASSAS, Va. — A Salvadoran man who was ordered deported nearly a decade ago but never left has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in a series of shootings and a knife attack in a Virginia suburb of Washington, authorities said Friday."

Just in case people believe shootings only occur in Mexico.

[ECOCKS]

Finally though, some people with a modicum of common sense are recognizing the trend and beginning to shift their travel patterns.

Amid drug violence, Acapulco watches tourism recede

Despite the insistence by some, the violence is not entirely among the Mexicans nor always outside the tourist area.....

But the violence at times penetrates the unofficial border between the two parts of the city. Two police officers were slain last week on Miguel Aleman Boulevard, the city's main thoroughfare. Now, truckloads of Mexican troops are in town, and the sight of them is once again fanning worries of irreparable damage to Acapulco's image.

In September, 20 men from the neighboring state of Michoacan were kidnapped while searching for the hotel where they had reserved rooms. Eighteen of them were later found dead, apparently killed by henchmen of the Beltran Leyva drug gang who mistook them for hit men from a rival cartel, La Familia.

In June 2009, 16 gunmen and two Mexican soldiers died during a shootout after an army raid on a safe house at one end of the tourist zone.

In April of last year, a wild gunfight on Miguel Aleman left six people dead and sent bystanders screaming.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/14/world/la-fg-acapulco-violence-20110114

"It's safe my love, a truck load of heavily armed troops are right outside the hotel and patrolling the shopping area."

"Okay kids, remember if you hear gunfire get down and crawl back towards Mommy and I while holding onto your souvenir purchases."

[Gator]

ECOCKS,

You seem to have a real hard-on against Mexico.   I have traveled to Mexico maybe 10 times.  It is a fun place.  If Mexico concerns people there are many other destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

While more developed today than in my early trips, it still has some Third World experiences.  When I arrived I felt a severe cold starting, so not wanting to spoil my holiday I went to the pharmacy for some antibiotics.   A Mexican pharmacy is no longer able to dispense such without a physician's prescription.  An expat behind me overheard my request and told me about another pharmacy with an on staff physician. 

So I go, sit in line with locals one step above campesino, all suffering from various ailments.  After 15 minutes I enter the doctor's "kiosk".  My RW was cool as we had a more comical experience years ago in the islands of Thailand.  My bad Spanish and the Mexican doctor's bad English sufficed such that I exited in one minute with a prescription.  I go to the adjoining counter and study the prescribed med.  Generic made by TEVA.  $15 for the meds and $2.50 for the doctor's visit (who only glanced at me and kept his distance). 

I  still assert that the largest fear one should have is Montezuma's revenge, and that is not as bad as in the past (e. g., I saw food workers wearing face masks).  Also, don't buy drugs while there.

[GQBlues]

My wife and I just scheduled a quick romp over to Cabo with a few friends. To prepare for the trip, my wife and I went to a neighborhood gun shop and tried on a couple of bulletproof vests. I brought my putter along, too. Man, it's tough to see the putt line over the vest bulge as I always end up pushing the ball. I also agree with my wife, the vest won't make for nice bikini lines on her...

So I believe we'll brave imminent death like everyone else in our group and just rely on our flip-flops, swim trunks, shorts and ward off these murdering thugs....

[Sia]

I would like to write some personal comments here.Я from Russia, lived in Cancun month in this ye :welcome:AR.I still have only positive memories and emotions about Mexico.Viz information I received via service.It was easy Perfect flight with Martinair company....successfully visa control and began to live in a foreign country

For all residence time had all the moments when I left independently outside the territory where I lived.No once did I notice in relation to his rough conduct on the part of local people.I'm fragile Blondie with blue eyes,,its exotic for local people   ...but....just believe to my word for it, now I'm not trying to impress, trying to just say that Mexicans friendly and decent people.No argue of course, in Down Town at night one better not go.But I was there with my adult girl friend from Canada and we have not seen people criminal or dangerous situation for us there.Everybody can finds adventure on his fifth point only to their own stupidity ... So you can spend wonderful time in Mexico in any place and at any time and without risk to life if you remains a man and act like educated person. I forgot to add, when I stalled car in the middle of the main road at Is la Ho tellera is Mexican helped me to repair it ....

[LAman]

Thanks for your thoughts Sia, sounds like you had a wonderful time. Did you go with friends? And did you have any problems gettting visas? Where was your connecting flight/s?

I think staying in tourist areas and being careful at night are best ways to avoid any problems. I go to Cabo quite often and party quite late there...never feel in any danger but I am always aware of my surroundings.

[Sia]

Thanks for your thoughts Sia, sounds like you had a wonderful time. Did you go with friends? And did you have any problems gettting visas? Where was your connecting flight/s?

I think staying in tourist areas and being careful at night are best ways to avoid any problems. I go to Cabo quite often and party quite late there...never feel in any danger but I am always aware of my surroundings.

Hi!!!
I had flight from Moscow-Amsterdam and after to Cancun

a little bit long time of course but everything was perfect !

[Boethius]

As violence in Mexico was discussed on this thread, I thought I'd post a link to changes, for the better, in Mexico City -

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/security-central-in-mexico-citys-makeover/article2084076/

[ECOCKS]

Reality check from bullets and links on the page you posted.......

July 2, 2011

A Mexican state official says a Canadian woman was stabbed to death in a suburb of San Miguel de Allende, a colonial city filled with foreign artists and retirees.Guanajuato Deputy Prosecutor Miguel Angel Rangel-Zendejas says 64-year-old Judith Zena Baylis was stabbed 21 times in her home in Atotonilco.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/canadian-woman-slain-in-mexican-suburb/article2084598/

Three gunmen were killed in a shootout with police after more than 40 armed assailants lobbed grenades at a federal police station, authorities in western Mexico said Saturday.
The Michoacan state prosecutor's office said three police officers were seriously injured and two gunmen detained in the attack, which left gaping holes in the building from three grenade explosions and thousands of gunshots.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/three-gunmen-killed-in-mexico-in-police-shootout/article2084701/


It's GREAT that the Mexican government is at least being responsible for safety in their capital but the description of the neighborhood with "leafy boulevards" and children "kicking soccer balls in the park" also mentions three police officers stationed there for "sentry duty".

Spending time doing things where you have armed guards as a requirement for security just doesn't strike me as "vacation".

Mexico has a long way to go on this point. As the snowbirds return to the north from AZ, NM and even Baja, it remains clear to me that there is wary tension in the residential areas among those who have an understanding of conditions there. While some continue to scoff and ignore it, the body count, domestic and foreign, rises everyday.