Sunday p.m.

Went to Chichen Itza today. Early bus from Merida, then walked around CI for a few hours. Many tourists. Took late-afternoon bus to Tulum. CI was my first ruins site and it’s quite impressive, though I am glad I wasn’t alive then—too many beheadings. Also saw our first cenote but it was roped off. Tomorrow we will swim in one.

Spent the rest of Sunday chilling at Papaya Playa in Tulum. (We took a bus from Chichen Itza and transferred in Valladolid.) First we swam in the ocean and I’m pretty sure I saw a stingray. Todd and I both screamed a lot. He is afraid of seaweed. (Also, he thought Steve Irwin was killed by a crocodile—WTF.) Finally, we decided to risk our lives and we went in. Later while chilling on these hanging beds on the beach, we met a rich Mexican dude who travels all the time. [deleted, NSFW] .. said he’d return with directions to a secret awesome cenote. Never saw him again. I thought he was cute, but Todd thought he was fat and that I just liked him because he was rich. Also saw some topless womyn at Papaya Playa [although there was a sign that specifically said "This is not a topless beach." I guess there was a topless beach a few beaches away or something. I remained topped.]. I saw a guy who looked like Diego Luna [sadly, no pic]. Back in Tulum, I offended some Brits when they overheard me call their friend “Gaybraham.”

Monday woke up at 6:30 and took a beach stroll while Todd slept. Now we are heading to the cenote then off to Tikal [er, Chetumal. I was confused.].

The cenote ruled. We snorkeled among stalactites, fish, lilypads, and other foreigners and some people jumped from the top of the cenote and yelled stuff on the way down—¡Viva Mexico!, etc. I thought “USA” might be a bit much. Saw our first other Asian person [1 of 2 for the whole trip, it turned out].

Tuesday: Bus to Belize. We spent the night in Chetumal—last night in Mexico. In Belize they speak English, which was refreshing to me. Rode through Belize City and a few other places but kept going until we hit the border (la frontera). Crossed on foot to Guatemala [directly across the border we ate some tacos and a weird hamburgesa that was really just shredded beef on a roll - weird] and took a cab to El Remate [located on the eastern shore of Lake Petén Itzá], where we are now waiting for tacos and Todd just went to get us a room. The cab ride was bumpy and dark and twisty and exciting. [Most cabs don't have seat belts in the back, and the dudes in the front don't even wear them, so you have to hold on to something or you'll get thrown around.] I really hope DEET is all it’s cracked up to be. Harboring secret desire for Dumont Burger. In Guatemala the food gets heartier (?) and cheaper. Yum. [sappy part about missing my cats] Lots of cute children here who seem to really like me, especially a little boy at the Chetumal bus terminal whose favourite toy was a simple lime.

Mexico y Guatemala: Part 1

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