Jaunary 7, 2012, Playa del Carmen, Policia

Throughout the town, we see police - in front of jewelry and watch stores, walking around, and, yes, even in front of Burger King.  And they all have machine guns.  It is a strange sight, something we never see at home.  What makes it even stranger is that we have felt quite safe in the Yucatan - and that sense of security is borne out by statistics.  Below are some policia photos - taken surreptitiously. 

January 6, 2012, Avenida Quinta, Vernacular Photographs # 2

Skeleton themes

January 6, 2012, Avenida Quinta, Playa del Carmen, Vernacular Photos # 1

Skin exfoliation by fish.  All you need to do is put your feet in this tank with little fish, and voila - gone all that nasty dry skin!  And without any nasty chemicals!   (Sorry for the fuzzy store sign) 

January 5, Vernacular Photography in Playa del Carmen, # 2

Frog-themed.  We have seen a lot of  restaurants and bars with a frog motif in Mexico.

January 5, 2012, Playa del Carmen, Vernacular Photography # 1

Playa del Carmen is a resort town - and I am no longer a tall person.  Beautiful beach, all sorts of t-shirt and tschoke stores, and happy hours starting at noon (which would be much better if I were a drinking person).  And a strong Policia and security guard (with semi-automatic weapons) presence.  Below are some photos from the strip. 

Blue people with white clothes

Policia with semi-automatics.  A fairly common sight.  We have been stopped by policia a few times crossing the border from one state into another.

Fidel!!!!

January 5 - Ruins at Tulum

Today we visit Tulum - palace, castle, residential buildings with a fortified wall along the ocean.  One problem, however, is that, unlike all the other sites we have visited, there are ropes around everything (except in certain places along the cliff's edge, so one could easily have a fateful/fatal step backwards....).  this means clambering up 45 degree steps, no closeup views of friezes, and no standing and staring in one place.  And lots of tour buses.  Still the buildings are remarkable to view, even if the feeling of being there is not as visceral.   Note frieze below has upside down baby.

January 3, 2012 Cemetery near Mocoroy, Quintana Roo