Incidents of Travel to the Yucatan

Vacation Time

After spending time in and out of hospitals for the last six months, and recovering from a “non-invasive” heart procedure, it was time for me to take a break.

In July, I had planned to revisit the Mayan region of Mexico with Aurora. We had been there on our honeymoon in 1993. At that time we saw the important Mayan ruins near Merida at Labna, Sayil, Kabah, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza. 

 Snake Staircase of Chicen Itza Pyramid in Yucatan.

In 1993, we finished with a visit to Cancun to see my brother Philo, who I hadn’t seen in years. This time, Philo had passed away. He lost his fight against cancer 3 years ago. 

Phil with the twins and Coral

But distance and work responsibilities kept me from seeing his widow and my nephews in Cancun until now. I thought I would combine the trips. Aurora and I would visit the beach and see how Merida and Cancun had changed. I’m working on a film about Angkor Wat in Cambodia and am intrigued by some of the parallels between the pyramids of Yucatan and the temples of Vishnu and Shiva in Angkor.

Naga sculpture in Angkor

 The trip would allow me to investigate more about the ancient civilization of the Maya and any possible parallels between the two cultures. At the same time I’m collaborating with translator friend Teresa Loret/Tapanandini Devi on some publications and translation projects such as Gaudiya Kanthahara in Spanish Gaudiya Kantahara as translated into Spanish by Tapanandini

So I really had four different goals: A bit of a romantic getaway; anthropological research; see my long-lost nephews; and see my translator. That was back in July. The doctor said "no." After all the analysis and "procedures" I finally got the green light to go after Christmas.

We made arrangements to meet my nephews in Cancun and, after two bus rides and a 4-hour flight delay, caught the VivaAerobus from Mexico City. We arrived at the famous tropical paradise at night.

I should add that my nephews are twins: Joshua and Uriah. Expert tattoo and graffiti artists, they go by “Happy” and “Twin.”

The twin known as "Twin" drove us home from the airport.

"Happy," Me, and "Twin"