june

What a Way to Go: Life at End of Empire -- Screening

2007-11-21T21:48:32Z

I am taking a community social work class with a huge focus on environment, specifically climate change. The class is very interesting since it is exposing me to subject matter I am not exposed to in my other social work classes. Generally speaking I dislike group work but for some reason I was compelled to take part in group work for this class. Our task is to help raise funds for a Derrick Jensen talk that will take place in February. To raise funds we are screening "What a Way to Go: Life at End of Empire" next Wednesday and Thursday. If you are interested in the screening the information is below. When I have more information about the Derrick Jensen Talk I will post it.

Screening information

Date: November 28th and 29th 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Location: The Brunswick Theatre
296 Brunswick Ave (2nd Floor)

For more information about the film go to http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com/.
Go to http://www.brunswicktheatre.ca/ for information about The Brunswick Theatre.

The Trip

2003-11-09T20:13:57Z

We landed in Cancun at about 10:30am on Saturday. Three planes landed at about the same time so it was quite busy. The bus we were on had several stops to other resorts so it took about one and a half to two hours (I slept when other passengers permitted) to get to our resort (Barcelo Maya Beach Resort).

Saturday was a day of sleeping and eating. Buffet was sooo good I never want to cook for myself again. The variety was phenomenal. In order to not come back gaining 20 pounds I only had desert once per day and kept it to a minimum. I admit that I ate more than I should have the first 2 days. I also started reading The Count of Monte Cristo (I really enjoyed it :))

Sunday Duke and I got up at about 9am. After a Sunquest orientation we had lunch and decided to go into Playa del Carmen. To get into town you can take a cab which would cost about 150 pesos ($15 US) or for 10 pesos per person you can travel as the locals do. What does that mean you ask. Well rather than large buses to get around they have extended vans that stop off at places. The stops are along the highway/main roads. I found it strange that you don't pay till you get to your stop.

Playa del Carmen is really hot (I got heat stroke both times we went in to town). The shopping area for the tourists is along 5th Avenue. I must say I am not big on haggling system (I can't really call it bartering since I am not exchanging goods). I came out with a white linen skirt and wrap around top. Duke got a white linen top (actually perhaps it is cotton, shrug). I believe we returned to the resort at 4:30. For the rest of the evening we relaxed and I recovered from my heat stroke. That evening we had one of our a la carte dinners at the Mexican restaurant. Again the food was so good however the quantities were too much.

Monday was a day or reading and lounging in a hammock by the pool. We made use of the swim up bar.

Tuesday we went to Chitzen Itza. My film is being developed so if you want to see some pictures of the ruins then go here. We passed by several things on the way there. To name a few... A mexican prison, local huts, lots of forest/jungle. We made one stop before we got to the ruins/park. At the stop we had samples of Anise (unfortunately they didn't have any bottles left, it was really good) and tortilla.

I thought it was hot in Playa del Carmen... it was scorchingly hot in Chitzen Itza. Our tour guide talked about the ruins for an hour and then we had an hour to look around. I didn't know till I got there that the pyramid at Chitzen Itza is build on top of a pyramid. Duke and I climbed the inside and outside (we felt it for days since we foolishly sprinted up in the heat). We also found out that this will likely be the last year that tourists will be able to climb up since the ruins are made from limestone and are falling apart and because they are incredibly slippery to climb and descend. Did I mention that the steps are really steep and the inside is so humid you came out wet. After the tour we stopped off for a buffet lunch (It was ok, not as good as the buffet at the resort)

Wednesday was a day of rest and relaxation. More lounging by the pool and reading (finished The Count of Monte Cristo and I finished The Alchemist). We also had more drinks in the pool :)

Thursday was the wedding day. If you are going to get married that is certainly one way to go. I am in favour of short ceremonies. I have never been to a ceremony that was that short :) I don't think it was longer than 10 minutes.

Friday we took another trip into Playa del Carmen. I had a case of heat stroke again. Who would have thought you would be freezing in Mexico. The sad effect of heat stroke followed by the reality of going home.

Saturday we were up at 4am since our bus was scheduled to take us to the airport at 5:55. This time the bus ride was one hour since we didn't stop anywhere else. Arriving here was not fun since it is soooo cold in comparison. The temperature there was about 35 degrees versus the -7 it was here yesterday.

Change is good

2003-08-29T20:52:14Z

You will likely see a series of changes. Let's just say I am finding myself.

More random thoughts...

2003-08-29T19:38:14Z

I am getting more excited all the time :) The wedding in Mexico is taking place at Barcelo Maya Beach Resort. Duke is coming too :)

I have not been on a real vacation in a long time. Hopefully I will get my digital camera before I go.

Mars

2003-08-29T17:50:18Z

Mars is closer than it has been in 60,000 years. Check out what NASA has to say.

What to do during a black out - Blackout 2003

2003-08-17T15:57:51Z

Since the black out I have been living at the office participating in a sysadmin camping experience (geek camping). There is not much to tell about the experience. For more interesting news....

Take a look at Blackout images.

Based on the news reports power for the most part is back. For more information check out CBC or CNN

Wedding in Mexico

2003-08-12T13:59:12Z

Inquiring minds (specifically skanu) - No I am not getting married :) I was however invited to go to a childhood friend's wedding. Now I just need to convince my other half to go :) The wedding is to take place in the Mayan Riviera a place that I have always wanted to visit.

Information on the Mayan Ruins can be found here. For information on the civilization go here.

The Picture

2003-08-11T19:07:42Z

People keep asking me why my nick name is june. June is a variation of Jun the princess from G-Force (aka Gatchaman).