Tag Archives: Mexico

Holiday Card Fail… or is it?

We have FAILED at corresponding with family and friends this year since no holiday cards were sent. We even attempted a photo during our family Christmas gathering! Instead, we have resorted to using social media and this site to feature our greetings and wish our family and friends peace, love and happiness.

Have we really failed? Not in my mind. The money that would have been spent on cards and postage has been donated to the Mefi-Boset Orphanage in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico.

For some time now, I’ve been following, with great interest, the hiking and humanitarian adventures of an amazing, kind hearted nurse originally from our part of the globe along the Minnesota/South Dakota border. From time to time, items are purchased and delivered to the Mefi-Boset Orphanage by this individual living across the border in the United States. The images of these endeavors have spoken to my heart, especially after our visit to small villages and cities along the Copper Canyon region and northern Mexico. I am confident that our donation will provide some much needed items at the Mefi-Boset Orphanage.

It appears as though the Mefi-Boset kids are excited with the new arrivals.
Birthdays are wonderful when you can share with friends.
The person in the white t-shirt is Peggy, my contact for Mefi-Boset Orphanage donations.
Healthy food choices for the orphanage.
Children everywhere across the globe enjoy an ice cream treat.

Thank you, Peggy, for sharing these images of your visit and for all of your humanitarian efforts. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Por Favor…?

Divisadero, Mexico | Canon G5X | Topaz Edit

Best salesman ever. Who can resist those sad eyes and timid voice pleading, Compraras, por favor? He nailed it.

Glass Blowing in Mexico

I find myself mesmerized by the process as each step is carefully, yet quickly, completed. Noticing the bare hands, I wonder how many burns occur during a typical work week. I know I would need a first aid kit within close proximity.

Mayan Prayer

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Image by Joyce Meyer

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Image by Joyce Meyer

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Image by Joyce Meyer

Upon reading the translation of the Mayan Prayer to the Seven Directions, I sense gratitude and hope. (Click on link for full prayer)*Excerpts from the prayer:  May wisdom be transformed into right action… bless us with harmonies to end all war… all hail the harmony of mind and nature. I may have a different belief system and pray to a different God than the Ancient Mayans, but I also find their prayer timeless in an earthly sense.   Peace out.

*Prayer of the Seven Directions from thejewelledsky.com

 

Walking the Path ~ Coba Mayan Ruins

Imagine walking the same jungle paths as ancient Mayans living between 300 to 900 A.D.

Archeologists have estimated that 6,000 structures exist here at Coba, but only three settlements are for public viewing.wolls-1120351r Coba is not a single site, but a large group of sites connected to the central pyramid, connected by over 16 Mayan ceremonial “white roads.”wolls-1120347e4x6Don’t feel like walking? Take a Mayan Limo, which is a chauffeured tricycle, or rent a bicycle. Plan on 2 1/2 hours if you walk or 1 1/2 hours if opting for wheels.cancun-1120328eThe largest pyramid at Coba is called Ixmoja, part of the Nohoch Mul group of buildings.  wolls-1120332dmvUnlike other Mayan ruins, you can still climb this one. cancun-1120342eI’m not fond of heights and this pyramid is 42 meters (138 feet) tall, but I need to do this so I have no regrets.wolls-1120338eFrom the top the lush jungle looks like a green wilderness of wonder, but this gentleman meditating probably has his eyes shut. Good thing, since he is right at the edge. Not me!!cancun-1120341ewebThis thick rope is my best friend as I inch my way down the 120 stone steps of the pyramid finding the descent much more difficult than the ascent.
cancun-1120362eWe were part of a van tour group, which restricts the amount of time allowed. If I did it again, I’d look into another transportation option to allow more time at the ruin site. Or, maybe I need more friends along so we could put together our own DIY tour. Hmmm…
cancun-1120352dmvcrbgwebAs usual, souvenir shops are situated by the entrance/exit gate.cancun-1120355ecr2web…and dogs wander the streets.

For more information about exploring Riviera Maya destinations check out locogringo.com.

Here is a link to an interesting blog post I found within the locogringo.com site: 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Riviera Maya Vacation.

Hasta luego…

 

 

Fleeting Moments

Fleeting Moments…

Easter2015-33blendmayanwebBlend of beach at the Tulum ruins near Playa Del Carmen, woman at the Chichen Itza archeological site  and a wall mural located in Playa Del Carmen. 

The history and legacy of the Mayan people also appear to be fleeting as tourism and beaches are the key to survival. It is well worth the time to tour the historic sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza with a knowledgeable guide to learn more about their interesting past.  The history of the Mayan people is kept alive through archeological sites such as these.

Click on image for a larger viewing window.

 

 

Struggle past and present

The run-down streets portray struggle, while the earth can feel the pulse of a proud ancestry.

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Blended image by Joyce Meyer

HDR image of a neighborhood street in Playa del Carmen, Mexico blended with an image of a costumed Mayan gentleman taken at the Chichen Itza archeological site. Blended image layer transformed to appear to be part of the earth. Click on image for a larger viewing window.

 

 

Life can be harsh…

Life can be harsh for the disabled begging on the church steps of the Cathedral de San Gervasio in Valladolid, Mexico. This is the real deal and not a scam as the locals also give money to these individuals according to Mark Moxon’s Travel Writing.

2015Mexico-1080754blend4eIn turn, life can be harsh for the working class protecting their modest stucco homes and belongings with broken glass ledges in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

By the grace of God…

Beauty…

Kind eyes that have seen sorrow, joy and struggle with skin wrinkled by time and the sun.  Wisdom, courage ,  a long heritage  of civilization unique to the rest of the world.

Beauty…

Photography by Joyce Meyer
Mayan Woman