Wednesday, October 29, 2008

10-29-08 A day in Campeche

Lost a day somewhere, have to go back. I may have taken two days off in Campeche. Today I got provisions because tonight I am taking an overnight bus to Xuphil (say it like eshupeel), the center of the Rio Bec region. When to a few of the Maya muesums in town. One musesum is a 'architectural' muesum which is baically all the cool parts of buildings ripped out and put in a room. Kind of dissapointed because all of these things are so much more impressive in their original setting. True, some of these come from small sites can would most likly be looted, but still dissapointing to go to a ruin and see the best parts gone.

Was tempted to go to a far northern example Chenes site earlier. Poorly known but for some unusual masks. Good thing I skipped, the masks are now here.

An incredable jade funaral mask from Calakmul.

A great example of polychrome ceramics. This is from a tomb at Calakmul or looted from a nearby ruin. So much of these musesums are recovered objects that have been looted.

The museums are housed in the old walls of the city. These forts were actually build to keep pirates out.

The modern architecture here makes you appreciate conservatism. This looks almost like a Frank Gehry, i think that is a compliment.

Hard to imagine this square UFO shaped buildng got built outside of epcot center. Behind the planters is the stairway, just like a 50's hollywood UFO.


Not all the questionable architecture is modern. This church is a great example of form follows function. Insead of the old fasion steeple, this one has a light house. Maybe they got extra money for it?


I think this snack roughly translates in english to 'blacky' with a little african kid eating it. This would not fly in the US, but most mexicans hate black people for some reason. I asked why Mexicans hate black people even though they are not in Mexico, I was told once in a while they pickup cubans fleeing in the Yuctan. Hardly felt like saying Cubans really aren't black.

Going by bus to Xuphil with my new riding partener tonight. Will be deep in the forest tommorow morning!

1 comment:

Traciy Curry-Reyes said...

Why would you even post something like that. Mexicans hate blacks. I am black and I am married to a Mexican, and I know several Blacks who are married to Mexicans. You do not know what you are talking about. Maybe some do, but you have generalized that all Mexicans hate blacks. Also, for your info Negrito or Negrita is not considered a derragatory term there as it is in the US.Also a little history 101 for you. The dark skinned Cubans are of African descent. In Mexico you will find Mexicans of African descent in Guerrero and Vera Cruz. Ok?