-"Senorita, you want some tequila?"
-"No thank you."
-"You want a beer?"
-"No thanks."
-"A margarita?"
-"No."
-"How about a boyfriend?"
-"No." *laughing*
-"You want to coochie coochie?"
-"No." *officially creeped out*
On my cruise this summer, our first port of call was Progreso, Mexico. This was the first time I had ever been out of the country. (Unless you count the UN in New York City. It's technically international territory. I don't think that counts though...) It was an interesting experience to say the least. From what I was told, Progreso is fairly new as a tourist destination, or at least as a cruise ship destination. So it still has a very traditional feel to it. I felt like I was walking a town in the middle of Mexico rather than the Yucatan (besides the safety factor, crime is very low on the Yucatan). Let me back up... I was very anxious the morning we got to Progreso. My dad was so sunburned and miserable that he decided to stay on the ship, so that mean it would just be my mom, sister, and me. None of us had ever been out of the country before. None of us had been on a cruise before, so we knew nothing about the procedures of getting on and off the boat. Our plan was to take a taxi downtown (the pier is very long, so you have to catch a ride to land), do some shopping, then head to the beach. So we go down to the lower deck that was announced as the place to debark; I think they scanned our ship cards, then we stepped out onto the gangplank where they took several pictures. There were shops right there on the pier, but we had heard it was cheaper in town so we just walked through those without stopping. When we got to where the taxis were, there was also a bus with a sign that said it was free transportation from cruisers. My mom wanted to take the taxi, because she wanted to be sure to get to the shopping, but I was so nervous about getting lost. So when I saw that most people from our ship were getting on the bus, I convinced my mom that it would be best to stick with the others. I'm glad we did. It was a totally free ride down the several miles of the pier, through the border security, and a few blocks into town. It dropped us off right at the International Shops. We also drove right by the beach, so I paid close attention how far it was and how to get there so we could walk. We did a little bit of shopping there, but I think we were all unprepared for just how intense it is to shop there. I knew it wasn't like America where you browse on your own and pay the price on the sticker. I'd been told to haggle with the shopkeepers. But I didn't realize how much they were going to be fighting for my attention. Every way I turned someone was yelling "Senorita!" "I have something for you Senorita." It was very overwhelming. We didn't stay at the shops too long. We knew we would have to come back through to catch the bus back, so I figured I could buy whatever I wanted then and not have to carry it around. Plus, I wanted to see what else was around first. So we walk out on the street and realize we are seriously in traditional Mexico. It was very cool. It was also pretty scary, mostly because my mother has zero street smarts, doesn't do much traveling, talks to everyone, and doesn't know how to say no. Saying no is a very important skill when you go shopping in Mexico, because almost everyone you meet who realizes you're a tourist is trying to sell something. My mom couldn't say no and keep walking; she would stop and have a conversation. Meanwhile, my sister and I are fighting off dozens of other people approaching us because we're standing still waiting for my mother. I did get to have a nice chat with a man who told me all about how he'd been to the U.S. three times. The last time he was in Miami, but drugs and fancy women were his undoing and he lost everything but his life. I wasn't sure where this conversation was going, so I was thankful I could say "It was nice to meet you, but I have to go now" as we moved on. My mom saw a market place she thought would have good shopping. We somehow ended up in a local food market where we were the only non-locals in sight. No one ever bothered us. Actually either very friendly or ignored us, but my defenses were on full alert so I really did not want to be the only tourists around.There were crates full of fruit, women making purchases, a lot of flies and heat, and a funny smell. It was really neat to see where the locals shop though. (Even though it made me thankful for the air conditioned supermarket back home!) I don't think my mom was impressed; she wanted souvenirs! So we just walked through quickly back to the street. Even though I was nervous about being in a new situation in a foreign country, no one ever made me feel unsafe. I also noticed a heavy police presence. No doubt to be sure the tourists, and our money, stay safe and keep coming back. As we got closer to the beach, the streets started to be lined with shops targeted toward tourists. They were filled with souvenirs and silver jewelry they all claimed to be real, who knows what really was. I also got offered a lot of tequila. Just like in the shops, owners yelled as we were walking by "Senorita!," "Senorita, I have a necklace for you," "Senorita, would you like some tequila." I got very good at saying the word no. Here's a conversation I had with a restaurant owner as I'm walking down one side of the street and he's yelling from the other side of the street: -"Senorita, you want some tequila?" -"No thank you." -"You want a beer?" -"No thanks." -"A margarita?" -"No." -"How about a boyfriend?" -"No." *laughing* -"You want to coochie coochie?" -"No." *officially creeped out* We did end up buying at a few of the shops on the street leading to the beach. I bought a "silver" bracelet. The two men in the shop went on and on about how it was real, how it was imported from their hometown, and how they were giving me such a great deal. They even weighed the bracelet and pretended to consult one another on coming down on the price. I don't know if it's real silver or not, but it's pretty and it has the Mayan calendar on it. So whatever, I got a cool souvenir. They also asked if I spoke Spanish. I said very little, "dos clases a la universidad." He told me about his hometown and how he hoped to see me there someday. I played along because I wanted a good deal on my purchases. The other man asked if my mother was married. Mexican men are very forward. After we left their shop, their neighbor said it was his "turn" and we bought several things there. Then we went in a shop with an American owner who told us that guy was a criminal who threatened to kill him and had been watching us. So about the time I was beginning to relax, I got creeped out all over again and thought for sure we were being followed. Oy. The American shop owner gave us several tips about visiting the town. His shop sold things made my the Mayan people. Am I the only one who didn't know they were still around?! Apparently there is quite a large population. The proceeds from this man's shop goes to help them with things like education. I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or not, but then I saw several newspaper articles and pictures hanging above a desk in the back corner. We finally made it to the beach! The American shop owner had told us to be aware of using chairs or tables, because many of them were owned by people who would try to charge us large amounts for using them. Also, there were no lockers in sight, and we didn't want to leave our things unattended, so we took turns sitting on the sand while the other two swam. We also didn't bring our towels because my mom had heard the beach was no good there and didn't think we would swim. Whoever told her that was wrong, the beach was great. We still had to deal with people coming up to us every couple of minutes trying to sell something, but the sand was perfect and the water was a beautiful blue color. It was very appealing. After swimming, we decided to find some food then go back to the ship. It was suggested that we should just go back to the ship where the food was free, but I wanted to authentic Mexican food darn it! Unfortunately, every where we passed either had a menu with prices that were either extremely expensive or in pesos (I couldn't tell), only had outdoor seating (it was very warm), or we couldn't communicate because I know very little Spanish. I finally gave in and agreed to go back to the ship to eat as long as we could for sure get Mexican food the next day in Cozumel. We had to take a longer route back, because my mother told too many people trying to sell things that she would come back. She knew they would hold her to it, and we just wanted to get back on the ship. For example, as we approached the beach several girls asked if we wanted massages. My sister and I said no. My mother said she might, that she would be back by. Then she gets caught up in a conversation with them and the next thing you know she's surrounded. I finally had to walk back over and physically guide her away. She just can't say no. All these girls had given her their names and made her promise she would come back to them. Here's photographic evidence. So we took some less "touristy" side streets back. Again, everyone was either friendly or ignored us. We never felt threatened. And away from the shops we didn't have people harassing us to buy things. (Though I was still a little worried we were being followed by that shop owner.) We finally made it back to the shops. We purchased a few more things then boarded the bus to ride back to the ship. This time I was facing a window on the edge of the pier, and I realized just how narrow the road was. Plus we were driving several miles out, so my introverted brain automatically goes to worst case scenario of driving off the edge and being trapped in a bus while it sinks in the ocean. My brain likes to scare me like that. Of course nothing happened. We made it back just fine. We trudged through the shops, though border security, and back to the ship. Here are a few pictures I took as we made our way back. One of my favorite photos is the one of the armed guard on the pier. He had a really big gun, and I wanted to take a picture but wasn't sure if I was supposed to. So I tried to do it quickly and discreetly. Only later did I look through and realize he's looking right at me with a slight smile on his face. He looks like a really nice person. By the time we got back on the ship I was exhausted, wet, covered in sand, and starving. So we took turns showering, ordered room service, and napped/read in our room until dinner time. Here's my room service. A turkey sandwich never tasted so good, and oh THAT CAKE.
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AuthorI love to travel as often as possible. I like taking day trips around North Texas, weekend road trips, flying cross county for a week or two, or jumping on a cruise ship for a foreign country. This year I've driven across most of the Southern United States. I have a slight obsession with New York City (and am due for another trip soon!). Archives
July 2015
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