Aug 26 – So here we are in Celestún. The conference folks got back on their big bus and returned to Mérida last night, to catch flights home or travel onward. We had our packs on the bus with us, and checked into a very modest small hotel a block from the Gulf of Mexico. This is where our beach vacation begins.
This little town is about as different from Mérida as can be. If tourists come here, they only stay for a day.It rained yesterday, and the streets are quite flooded this morning. We got our feet wet before we got to the beachA calm, sandy beach with body-temperature waterLots of interesting birds Celestún’s claim to fame is its proximity to the Ria Celestún Biosphere Reserve, accessible only by boat. This is a place where flocks of pink American flamingos can be seen during mating season, but we are not here at the right time of year. Here is some flamingo wall art insteadSo what is there to do in Celestún?Eat chiliquiles for breakfast and fresh fish for lunchAdmire the jungle that separates our hotel from the beachCollect shells and swim every day – watching the pelicans dive for fish and then rest close to us on the water was a special treatSwim in the hotel pool every afternoonAdmire the wall artLook at the different ways to get around – the multi person moto…The three wheeled cart… taxi anyone?The bicycle…Or go on foot – just bring your own shade!Appreciate the goats next door Check out the churchStroll through the marketplace Visit our favorite bakery…and our favorite baker, Flor. She gave us a sample coconut macaroon, warm from the oven on our first day, and we went back every day thereafter.Watch another fine sunset – thanks for the leisurely days, Celestún. A very relaxing week!
Aug 22 – Today we got back on the big bus to return to Mérida. This time we are going to the northern, more modern side of the city so that Jim can give a presentation at the Parapsychological Association Conference. This is the reason we are here.
We checked out the Monumento a la Patria, carved 1945 – 1956, showing over 300 important Mexican figuresMayan warriors An eagle, devouring a snake, perched on a cactus – this is the center image on the Mexican flag Mexican historical timelineWide shaded sidewalks Fancy housesAnd who did we meet on the shady sidewalk? A lovely couple from Dallas Tx, passing out tracts for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They relocated here several years ago to join the expat community, and couldn’t be happier. Such nice people!There is wall art…and ceiling artDelicious foodLomitos Valladolid was my favorite – tender pork in a tomato sauce on a bed of creamy frijolesA mural in our restaurant – do you see Salvador Dali, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Di, Frida Kahlo, Gandhi and Gorbachev? How about Fidel Castro and Albert Einstein?Our hotel has a beautiful shady garden…with a resident peacock…and peahen A perfect shady deep water pool with hummingbirds sipping at the flowersAnd while I was lounging around with the peacocks, Jim caught up with his colleagues and gave an excellent presentation that was very well received. Good work, Jim!The conference ended with a bus ride to the beach at Celestún for a sunset swim and a feast of Yucatán foods. A gorgeous sunset!Good food with good friends A wonderful ending to our conference!
Taking Our Time 