Mexico, safer than most people think...

[Bill]

Don't get me wrong, it's plenty obvious around these parts how proud I am to be Canadian, and how much I dig Canadian culture.

However, I've been to Winnipeg. Winnipeg does not have these...

http://www.mexicovacationtravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/tonina011-1024x684.jpg

And I've yet to be on a beach on either left coast or right coast or any of the Great Lakes, that have beaches or diving sites as lovely as the ones in Mexico. (not that there isn't good wreck dives or ocean diving in Canada, I just wish it wasn't so gosh darn grey and cold most of the year!)

On the other hand, we are very fortunate to have our own pockets of Mexican immigrants who bring their food and traditions to our wonderful Canadian multicultural tapestry, so it is entirely possible to find authentic Mexican dishes of all types here, as well as different products and in particular artisan goods, as well as music and dancing.

El Sol. One of my absolute favourite places on the Danforth in Toronto.
http://www.elsol.ca/

and a wonderful hole in the wall on Bloor street, Mexi Taco (don't let the name fool you).
MEXITACO: Authentic Mexican Taste

Terminal or post-classic high stackstone construction with a stelae. You've got me... where is that? Landscape says Mexico north of Oaxaca, small construction reminds me of Mexican influence in Guatemala. The stelae with that building style is confusing me.

[BOTZWANA]

That's where Andy Dupree and Red finally embraced each other as free men at the end of Shawshank Redemption...

It's Dufrane. Not Dupree. Dupree is the man that moves into your house and disrupts your life.

[samurainoir]

Terminal or post-classic high stackstone construction with a stelae. You've got me... where is that? Landscape says Mexico north of Oaxaca, small construction reminds me of Mexican influence in Guatemala. The stelae with that building style is confusing me.

Chiapas. Tonina was wonderful because it was off the beaten path and not overrun by tourists like many of the more popular sites.






And those San Cristobal waterfalls!

[Hector]

I forgot, I was in Chiapas as well. Yet another contrast compared the Mexico City, Cancun and the Yucatan. It was really fantastic to get away from tourist stuff and actually experience a "real city" where you didn't have to haggle for everything and a guy wasn't trying to sell you a cactus hammock every five seconds. Although in the norht, I really missed having the fresh grapefruit and Mango with lime and chilis that I could get on the street corner in Merida every morning.

An uncle of mine and his family live in Chiapas.

Very lush and green down there...home of probably the densest jungle in Mexico. The two things I hate about that region though are the humidity...and the damn bloody mosquitoes at night...

[Hector]

I'd like to go visit Andy and Red in Zihuatanejo

[Hector]

For me, I always think of this to sum up the concept of traveling.

Here is the one thing that always amuses me when I'm hanging out with friends from other countries visiting Canada. Many of them seem fascinated with our squirrels. Walking through parks or any kind of scenic nature, and I often find they want to chase squirrels and take pictures of them.

So my lovely spouse and I are in Mexico, and I am just fascinated by the Lizards! Particularly since they seem to hang around many of the historical sites. At one site I saw a big one go scampering across the grass and I go tearing after it to get some pictures. When I come back, of course there are many Mexicans who are quite amused, and my lovely spouse turns to me and says, "Dude, you remember that time that your friend Kevin was visiting us from Korea and chased Squirrels around the park with his camera-phone? Well apparently those lizards are like Mexican Squirrels!"

BTW...I love all those different tacos at Mexitaco...it's making me hungry...

[Hector]

It's Dufrane. Not Dupree. Dupree is the man that moves into your house and disrupts your life.

Sorry...my bad...

[Hector]

Anybody been to Teotihuacan (near Mexico City)...




...and climbed the massive Pyramid of the Sun?



Teotihuacan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I did as a kid...but today...no way...I'd have a heart attack...

[Hector]

Check this out in Guatemala...could be the world's largest pyramid by volume...larger than downtown Los Angeles...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voY8jNcuGe8

[Bill]

El Mirador is still four days hike in, so that's something that not many have seen. I met a man in Antigua that was part of the San Bartolo excavation; another sight that only a handful of people have been able to appreciate.
My favorite so far has been Mixco Viejo, just a few hours north of Guatemala City.

[Johnny]

Never been to Mexico. It is a place I have always wanted to visit. I would be lying if I said the media reports don't make it seem a little sketchy at the moment. I think it is like anywhere though. If you keep your wits about you and don't make foolish choices I would imagine you would be fine. I mean you can go to the wrong places in L.A. NYC and countless other places and find all kinds of trouble.

Sure does look a beautiful place from the pics you guys are posting though.

[cdhall]

I haven't read this whole thread but I think they have an Extraordinarily high Kidnapping ratio, thanks, I'd rather be dead most times.

And I live in TX and somewhere I was told, being a white guy who doesn't speak Spanish, NOT to go to Mexico without a Local. You will go to jail or get robbed or mugged or both.

OOPS.
I've read part of the AOL article, I'll read the rest later. But I want to add that I have a friend who goes there frequently, but he speaks Spanish. And I have a friend who moved there for 3 years and as far as I know that went well for him.

[Mikey]

Mexico would be good if it wasn't filled with so many Mexican's

[SeattleEd]

Oh yeah, love that place and the climb is not that bad for me.
Going back there again next year with the family to explore mexico properly.

Anybody been to Teotihuacan (near Mexico City)...

http://utacuernavaca2008.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/teotihuacan-2.jpg

...and climbed the massive Pyramid of the Sun?

http://deitchman.com/mcneillslides/images/pyramidofthesun.jpg

Teotihuacan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I did as a kid...but today...no way...I'd have a heart attack...

[samurainoir]

Anybody been to Teotihuacan (near Mexico City)...

http://utacuernavaca2008.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/teotihuacan-2.jpg

...and climbed the massive Pyramid of the Sun?

http://deitchman.com/mcneillslides/images/pyramidofthesun.jpg

Teotihuacan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I did as a kid...but today...no way...I'd have a heart attack...

YES! Now you've gone and driven me to bore you with my holiday snaps Hector.

We were also fortunate to visit some of the nearby sites that most of the tourists don't bother to check out. Some of the local restored dwellings and there was one place with an excellent preserved fresco.

It was certainly a steep climb, particularly in that heat! I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to the top. Worth it for the view though.

I really appreciated the fact that they had a museum on site as well. I found it utterly fascinating.

We also only had half a day at the Museum of Anthropology (I think I could have spent days in there), and missed the Museum of Modern art entirely.