People

Some of the more interesting experiences in Mexico were, of course, the people. As seems to be the case in most corners of the world, the Germans have taken root and, since it's in the Americas, those upright citizens of the USA have also taken a significant hold. There were also French people and, you'll be relieved to hear, lots of Mexicans. Some were obviously of Mayan descent while others were of Spanish ancestry.

It was quite sweet in a way - and rather odd - to see young American goth-type people, all pallid, coloured hair, tattoos and piercings, large tee-shirts and big boots trying to survive in the heat and humidity of the Yucatan jungle. Like lost souls in paradise not entirely sure how to act and react. They were quite cute in a way and stood out a mile. The Americans also seemed to travel around in packs, groups of them rather than 2s or 3s and were, in the main, loud.

The Germans were like German tourists all over the world, well, except for one tourist. What shall we call him? O yes, sock man. He already had a deep mahogany tan, an all-over tan since he wore knitted, um, baby socks over his genitals. No, not speedos, not jockstraps, not thongs... knitted little pouches just large enough to encase his genitals. One had a piece of wool like a string over his hips and around his bum like a thong, the other was seemingly elasticated (possibly?) with nothing to hold it in place. Astonishingly, when he left the hotel to go home he wore florescent pink rompers, plasticy looking short-shorts with elasticated legs... Most odd but hey, he seemed to enjoy himself so why should I worry?

This is starting to sound terribly stereotypical, but the French smoked and talked loudly. The few British were quiet and polite. What is it about us, eh?

The Mexicans were generally very friendly although a few, in the more touristy and water-selling places were a bit jaded but most were still polite and smiled. The gardeners at the hotel all made a point of stopping what they were doing and saying 'hola' when I walked past, maybe because I took an interest in the plants? The breakfast waiters all routinely asked whether we'd had too much tequila the night before (the answer was always 'no'). At dinner in the lovely restaurants along Fifth Avenue the waiting staff were so incredibly polite and 'leave people alone' it was actually difficult sometimes to order a second beer (and that was heartbreaking for me). Everywhere else in the world it's 'one more beer?' before you have a chance to finish the first. They also made it difficult to pay, like it was impolite to hand over the bill...

I loved the holiday and I loved the hotel. No television for two weeks, no newspapers, no radio, no computers... just hot sun, beautiful beaches, interesting sights, adventures ... it was wonderful. I want to go back.