AVALON

From one spiritual town, Tulum, home of one of the three Speaking Crosses, to another, the Celtic Isle of the Dead, home of the Holy Grail.
I am staying here for the summer, to pursue my photography and to teach Archery.

TEFL finito

The end of my level 2 spoken English class fell on the Mayan day of Lamat: Fertilise the Cornfield and Learn.
Very hard work, lots of laughter, and knowledge learned by all, teacher and students alike. But so worth it for the friends made and the dreams shared. May those dreams be fulfilled.
My time here in Tulum is coming to an end, so many sights seen and emotions felt, that I need time away to reflect on what has been a very powerful 3 month experience here in the Yucatan.
Time to see my daughters!

Beer Buddy: My 2nd scorpion, a very lively little chap.

As I post this, I have heard that my friend Miguel has been involved in a car accident, thankfully not badly hurt but unable to work for a while.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Miguel.

Mahahual and Muyil

A well deserved weekend break from teaching took us all to the sleepy town of Mahaual on the Mexican coast, perfect for lazing on the beach and snorkelling on the reef. Soon to be the next victim of mass tourism, bringing wealth to the area, we hope, and the inevitable damage to the reef, lagoon and mangrove ecosystem.

Been snorkelling for the first time in my life, an amazing if a little scary experience, viewing life on a fringing reef as if you are in an aquarium. Attempting to climb back in the boat highlights just how weak I have become, a long way to go to get my upper body strength back. Kudos to my 11 year old daughter for scuba diving.

Thanks to the Fireflies for their amazing display of dancing light in the darkness of the mangroves under a fabulous star filled sky.

Had a rather bizarre conversation with some of my students, about witches and spell casting. I have been told to visit a particular restaurant in the back of beyond, where I will be cast with a spell of love.
Now all I have to do is find it and we will see what happens!

A short trip to the ancient Mayan town of Muyil lying within the Sian Kaan bio-reserve reminds me of an event that happened 27 years ago in Nepal while visiting a Hindu Temple complex, the first 2 pictures of Garuda guarding the complex came out half exposed and the rest blank, today my 2 sets of camera batteries failed as we approached the sacred Crocodile shrine amidst the lagoon swamplands. Make of this what you will!

TODAY : HOY

17118 Suns have risen over my life, THe M1 motorway in England and the Mini motor car.
Thanks are given for each and every sunrise, as it is each and every day.
I wonder how many full and new moons that has been.
Soul and Spirit embarked on the path unknowing.
Soul and Spirit may depart the path unknowing.
The Journey is now. The Dream is now.
Now is Life.

Tulum TEFL

Four weeks training with seven hours teaching classes makes me a qualified community Teacher of English as a Foreign Language, with a certificate and all, according to Global Vision International.
But the best qualification can only be what our students think. Judging by the banner, the smiles, the friendship shown and the fact that everyone came to the end of course fiesta, I guess we did a good job.
Most of these great people will be joining the next set of classes at the Tulum house of culture, which will be my first entire course, 16 lessons with 18 students.
I have been thinking about what to do after the next 6 weeks are over, unfortunately it looks like the Mexican government has made my decision for me, we all have to leave the country at the end of March when our work visas expire.

Sacbe: Mayan word meaning 'White Road' and the name of an environmental community being created at Playa del Carmen. With money you can join this project aimed at promoting sustainable living; solar and wind power, recycled waste water, compost toilets and other ideas. An interesting place to visit, with an amphitheater built into a cenote. An unusual counterpoint to the large housing estate development as a neighbour.

XOOK SHACK

Say cheese!
Xook is the mayan word for "teaching" and is pronounced "shock".
Very appropriate due to the workload and pressure of learning how to teach English and being part of a team running and expedition base!
First lesson to local people was on day 3!
We have geckos all over the walls and they have a great vocal call, bats fly in and out, I have watched ants carrying grains of rice from the bin and I have seen my first scorpion, which I successfully removed from the building. Oh and of course cockroaches.

ZAMA

6:15am. Awoke with the Sunrise on my first morning in Tulum, the "City of Dawn" (Zama is Maya for Dawn). Very meaningful after a late night of ´deep´conversation with new friends.
Breakfast of fruits and yoghurt.
Spent the day on my bit of Caribbean beach soaking up the sun and a bit of swimming.
Looking forward to starting my real working adventure on Monday.
Nos vemos alrata!

Hasta luego Merida

Interesting and colourful Spanish colonial buildings crowd the main plaza, just as they were at the founding of the city on January 6th 1542, although unfortunately built upon the blood and sweat of thousands. The newly restored houses look great painted in white with pale blues, yellows, reds and greens. The great haciendas of the 19th century Sisal magnates are truly beautiful in their ostentatious display of wealth.
With many museums, the oldest cathedral on the peninsular and numerous market stallholders to browse, one´s time can be spent in a most leisurely way, when not trying to learn Spanish. But for me the most interesting place is the Governor´s Palace with a display of murals by Fernando Pacheco showing the Mayan history of the peninsular.
A city is a city, they are the same the world over, people living their daily lives as best they can, the same feelings and desires for themselves and their children. These thoughts mark the time for me to move on.
Thanks to everyone for friendship shown.

So begins 2006

New Year, New Country, New Language, New Friends.
4 Days in the city of Merida, Mexico. My head is exploding! trying to balance taking life easy with learning a new language and meeting fellow travellers, made enjoyable by new friends who understand; Rafael from Merida, Gerard from Barcelona and all the staff here at the Nest Hostel - stay here if you visit.
People say one must think in Mexican - thinking in English is hard enough!