Merida mas

Rented a car. Because many of the touristy sightseeing spots are all over an hour away. Wanted to go to chichen itza

From paseo Montejo I rented a Nissan Tauru. Because of my lack of good espanol, this idiot person who was showing me the car treated me like I never drove before.However this isn't first experience. Perhaps he was being cautious and thorough

Upon renting a car, dealing with money, they treated me with respect when I spoke in English.

After I rented, he told me that there was distance limit to 400km when he asked where I would go. I was annoyed but seemed reasonable for one day of driving.

Went for this trip with Ekatherina. So far I have hung out with 5 different people and talked seriously with over ten people in Merida. The biggest significance besides the secure city is that these people don't expect me to pay for them like other places. They treat me as if I am a their guest in traditional way not like rich tourist cruising along. Many of them have a job and taking classes. Feeling of developed environment. It makes sense with better government, when people work hard they get the result back rather than having to blame on shitty government. This is motivating.

I really like and appreciate people who are driven for success. Perhaps that is the culture of the country with no culture, united states.

Chichen itza is the most expensive tourist spot in Mexico. $177 for non national tourist. Another $100 for government maintanence fee, another $100 for two people to get VIP access, but not official, getting back door Mexican way to skip long line.

I was there for about half hour, just walked around main pyramid with feathered snake, decided touch it with Ekatherina s encouragement, police immediately kicked me out. Ekatherina tried to explain but didn't work. For some reason I was ok with. Because that I will never forget and good story to tell. I can see rest in Wikipedia. Only thing I wanted to see was moving snake with shadow and I was already way too late.

After that went for a swim in cenote. It was $50 per person. That was more fun than pyramid. Swimming was fun. Fish was in there many, and they are not afraid. One fish touched me when I was still.