Jeanine, this is the best so far and that's saying a lot. Reynoldo is one of those characters you would be hard pressed to invent and lucky to meet. He grew fond of you immediately and that speaks to his good taste and your good fortune in friendship and with this land deal, too.
Thank you Lana! Reynoldo-such a weird and wonderful and intelligent guy. Mexico has so many characters full of vibrancy and life and not afraid to show it. The political scene has long changed, but then, he was quite a maverick. We learned a lot from him. And he was so generous with us in so many ways and we’d barely met him.
Reading this transports me to Merida! Reynoldo is such a cool dude and so accomplished. Love how he's so open, warm and communicative - and I agree that so many Mexicans are like that - after just meeting and spending a short amount of time together, you feel a real genuine connection has happened. Such a bright spot in your land deal proceedings, finding the right person. Love the Merida photos and funny thing, years ago I stayed at Hotel Trinidad too! The Maya Tren update is very sobering, and not too surprising considering reports of what appeared to be hasty construction with such little - or none - environmental studies and research. This project is very worrisome.
He’s one of my favorite people ever met in Mexico, along with our wonderful neighbor Roberto, RIP, who was incredible. He had a 28 ft sailboat and we had a 12 ft and we’d go out every Sunday to the reef and then sail up and down it. He, like Reynoldo, was like Mexico 101. We learned about politics, culture, tradition, recipes. Todo. I love that about Mexico! So glad you experienced it too Barbra!!
I have indeed experienced the warmth, charm and generosity of the Mexican people. And sure do love reading about your time there. What a grand friendship you had with Reynoldo!
I can imagine Reynoldo - traveling through Yucatan we came across people like him... so warm, helpful and friendly. Like you, part of the reason we love Mexico, especially the Yucatan is the people.
Thank you for the Maya Train update. We were there in January and I remember us commenting on some of the bridges they were building - one of them might've been the one near Oxkintok - how heavy rainfall would cause some damage to it all... anyone who knows the land in Yucatan would have seen the problems with the construction in some of the areas they were building it. Still sad about it all... I wish they thought it over a bit more and planned it better, if they felt the need to build it in the first place. I felt the construction was ruining the whole peninsula, yet hoped that once built, it may not be so bad...
So glad you got to experience the wonderful welcome and warm atmosphere extended to all in Mexico, Emese. And yes, the train is a sad state of affairs. Reports Have said it’s already picked up QRoo and southern MX economy but, who to believe. When Cancun started to really expand ages ago we noticed new jobs were going to people from elsewhere. Not locals. With the train, it’s over such a big area, who knows where and to whom jobs are going. The environmental issues will live on forever though, I fear. 😰
From what we saw, the jobs are once again going to people from elsewhere. In the towns near major construction areas, instead of the local dialect I was used to and loved, all we heard was Spanish spoken in and around Mexico City. Locals are not happy. But still as friendly as ever, if you go in smaller towns away from the train route. They still go out of their way to help if we ask something; that has not changed. The newcomers are less friendly though, it wasn't only by their dialect we recognized them. I'm sure they are not welcomed by locals, making them generally a bit defensive.
Everywhere we traveled along the train route, was making us sad. The worst of it we saw was in and around Xpujil, and, of course in Tulum... As much as we love the Yucatan, we felt we didn't want to return. :(
I'm enjoying your posts though about the old days on the Peninsula :)
Gonzo notary to the rescue - how fun. One does meet the most interesting people in Mexico. And thanks for the Tren Maya update - it reinforces my instincts to stay clear of it 😉
Reynoldo. He really topped the charts. Think we just saw him one more time. So true about meeting such interesting people. Quite different. Sad about the train. I hope somehow they can pull it together after all the fuss.
The ominous question: "Do many people have trouble with the military?"!
Do let us know when office furniture makes it to the Yucatan ;)
Yeah. Military roadblocks, not fun. And will keep ya posted on furniture choices. I just can’t help noticing every little thing!!
That observance makes the best writing!
Thank you! It was just such a curiosity to me. Your comment btw cracked me up! Very funny.
Haha I’m glad!!
Jeanine, this is the best so far and that's saying a lot. Reynoldo is one of those characters you would be hard pressed to invent and lucky to meet. He grew fond of you immediately and that speaks to his good taste and your good fortune in friendship and with this land deal, too.
I love your writing style! You have a knack for bringing the reader on every step of your incredible journeys. And this segment is such a joyful one.
Thank you Lana! Reynoldo-such a weird and wonderful and intelligent guy. Mexico has so many characters full of vibrancy and life and not afraid to show it. The political scene has long changed, but then, he was quite a maverick. We learned a lot from him. And he was so generous with us in so many ways and we’d barely met him.
I love Reynaldo!
Reading this transports me to Merida! Reynoldo is such a cool dude and so accomplished. Love how he's so open, warm and communicative - and I agree that so many Mexicans are like that - after just meeting and spending a short amount of time together, you feel a real genuine connection has happened. Such a bright spot in your land deal proceedings, finding the right person. Love the Merida photos and funny thing, years ago I stayed at Hotel Trinidad too! The Maya Tren update is very sobering, and not too surprising considering reports of what appeared to be hasty construction with such little - or none - environmental studies and research. This project is very worrisome.
He’s one of my favorite people ever met in Mexico, along with our wonderful neighbor Roberto, RIP, who was incredible. He had a 28 ft sailboat and we had a 12 ft and we’d go out every Sunday to the reef and then sail up and down it. He, like Reynoldo, was like Mexico 101. We learned about politics, culture, tradition, recipes. Todo. I love that about Mexico! So glad you experienced it too Barbra!!
I have indeed experienced the warmth, charm and generosity of the Mexican people. And sure do love reading about your time there. What a grand friendship you had with Reynoldo!
Jeanine your writing takes us on a journey, I enjoy it as mentioned before.
Thanks so much Tinashe.
Such detail, Jeanine! I could visualize Reynoldo, and the city came alive with your descriptions.
So great to hear, Priya! Thank you!
Great writing! Merida sounds amazing~!
Thanks David!! It is. I love colonial Mexico cities.
I love reading your stories about Mexico, Jeanine. Such lovely details and fascinating people.
Thank you so much, Clarice!! Much appreciated.
I can imagine Reynoldo - traveling through Yucatan we came across people like him... so warm, helpful and friendly. Like you, part of the reason we love Mexico, especially the Yucatan is the people.
Thank you for the Maya Train update. We were there in January and I remember us commenting on some of the bridges they were building - one of them might've been the one near Oxkintok - how heavy rainfall would cause some damage to it all... anyone who knows the land in Yucatan would have seen the problems with the construction in some of the areas they were building it. Still sad about it all... I wish they thought it over a bit more and planned it better, if they felt the need to build it in the first place. I felt the construction was ruining the whole peninsula, yet hoped that once built, it may not be so bad...
So glad you got to experience the wonderful welcome and warm atmosphere extended to all in Mexico, Emese. And yes, the train is a sad state of affairs. Reports Have said it’s already picked up QRoo and southern MX economy but, who to believe. When Cancun started to really expand ages ago we noticed new jobs were going to people from elsewhere. Not locals. With the train, it’s over such a big area, who knows where and to whom jobs are going. The environmental issues will live on forever though, I fear. 😰
From what we saw, the jobs are once again going to people from elsewhere. In the towns near major construction areas, instead of the local dialect I was used to and loved, all we heard was Spanish spoken in and around Mexico City. Locals are not happy. But still as friendly as ever, if you go in smaller towns away from the train route. They still go out of their way to help if we ask something; that has not changed. The newcomers are less friendly though, it wasn't only by their dialect we recognized them. I'm sure they are not welcomed by locals, making them generally a bit defensive.
Everywhere we traveled along the train route, was making us sad. The worst of it we saw was in and around Xpujil, and, of course in Tulum... As much as we love the Yucatan, we felt we didn't want to return. :(
I'm enjoying your posts though about the old days on the Peninsula :)
Very disappointing. Sigh. Thank you for reading my posts!!
Gonzo notary to the rescue - how fun. One does meet the most interesting people in Mexico. And thanks for the Tren Maya update - it reinforces my instincts to stay clear of it 😉
Reynoldo. He really topped the charts. Think we just saw him one more time. So true about meeting such interesting people. Quite different. Sad about the train. I hope somehow they can pull it together after all the fuss.