Comments for Doug's Travels

Comment on A day at the Market in Tlaxiaco, Mexico by doug

doug — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:57:37 +0000

Thanks Max for the commentary. Interesting to know that the lime and calcium carbonate helps improve the nutrient value of the corn.

There is a long sad history of pushing outside interests at the expense of local nutrition.

The Conquistadors banned the growing and eating of Amaranth for their own reasons. I think it may have been partly to subjugate the people.

Comment on Hotels in Yucatan and Campeche, Mexico by doug

doug — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:54:22 +0000

Hi Julia,

The camp is not well connected, so calling and using email does not work very well. Too bad, since I’m sure they loose a lot of business because of this.

You’re likely to be fine if you just show up. I wouldn’t be surprised if they could accommodate you even if they were full - they’re that kind of people.

Hope you get another chance to stay there in the future.

Comment on A day at the Market in Tlaxiaco, Mexico by Max Uhler

Max Uhler — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:26:11 +0000

Hi,

I live in Oaxaca de Juarez and have for 3 1/2 years now. My Spanish is terrible and I am going up to Tlaxiaco this week.
It’s good to know that English Speakers are more common there than here. Here, it is true, almost no one speaks English. As for the lime, calcium carbonate, that you found in the market; it is used in the process (called nixtmalization) that is used to make corn more digestible.

This is something that the indigenous people in the south of this country have known about since the beginning of time, it seems. Particularly, it allows your body to absorb Niacin from the tortillas. Thus it is only used in the preparation of the masa harina that is used to make corn tortillas. A lack of Niacin in the diet leads to rickets.

Sixty and more years ago it was thought more fashionable to eat flour tortillas. This idea was pushed by the federal government as they were trying to establish a stronger market for northern wheat. The traditional southern Mexican diet of the very poor was tortillas, rice, beans, chillies and, occasionally, a tiny bit of meat - not every day. This is actually a very sustainable human diet, containing all the vitamins, proteins, etc. necessary.

The substitution of flour for corn in the tortillas led to an entire generation of rickets. The elderly people you see in the markets - stunted, short and with matchstick legs, are the product of that government policy.

Comment on An Unfortunate Rooster by Jan

Jan — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:48:21 +0000

To see the animals suffer in this way can be a good reason to become a vegetarian. What a life this rooster had.. First locked away in dirty prison and then killed to serve for food in a horrible way (there is no way to be friendly killed as sometimes farmers argue). I had the lucky experience to have some animals around me in my life and they all gave me a lot of friendship, love and laughter. I see very easy that they have emotions, fears, much happiness if you give them the reason to be happy and, and they love life. As we are more intelligent and developed than them we should take care of them and not treat them in many horrible way saying it’s just a animal.
To realize all that it’s easy to be a vegetarian. In practice it’s not difficult to because there are many nice things to eat and even in Mexico where meat is main part of the menu it’s always possible to find something nice in restaurant. I have to say that I do eat cheese and eggs as I consider that they have a lower consiousness than living animals and they bring me the proteine and vitamine B12 which is a little more difficult to get from plants. I’m a healthy vegetarian which do a lot of sport for almost 20 years now and the proof that you don’t miss anything in your food if you become a vegetarian.
If fulltime vegetarian is a problem for you why not try first a few days without meat. In this way you already saving some lives and you do a positive contribution to life.

Comment on Hotels in Yucatan and Campeche, Mexico by Julia

Julia — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:11:02 +0000

I’ve been reading a lot about the Yaax’che campsite and I really want to stay there with my boyfriend in June 2009. Unfortunately I couldn’t reach them by phone (the line is always busy or disconnected) and they haven’t replied to my email. Do you know if it possible to go there without a reservation?

Thanks,
Julia

Comment on An Unfortunate Rooster by Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:27:02 +0000

What a sad story. I hate the way the poor rooster had to live in a dumpster. So many poultry factories that kill meat birds to stock grocery store freezers are incredibly cruel to these animals. The poor chickens never get to see daylight. There’s got to be a more humane way for providing meat to people.

Comment on Hotels in Yucatan and Campeche, Mexico by Mark Schneider

Mark Schneider — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:17:45 +0000

Doug,

Camping Yaax Che sounds just like what we are looking for. My wife and I have traveled fairly extensively in Yucatan, and usually have very good luck camping or staying at inexpensive Mexican hotels, and we particularly enjoy eating what the locals eat. You don’t mention where Camping Yaax Che is located, nor their rates. I also wanted to know if the rates included the meals. I can’t seem to find that info on the web. Yes, I could email them, but my Spanish is very rudimentary. Or, perhaps you know if they speak or read and write English?
Thanks very much. Good info.

Comment on Researching Henequen Rope Production in Yucatan, Mexico by doug

doug — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:29:51 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion, Jack.

I’ve long since been to Merida, and back. I did find quite a few interesting abandoned factories of various vintages, and a couple of working ones too.

I am a bit behind on writing about it though!

Thanks for to book suggestion. I’ll see if I can get a hold of that.

Comment on Researching Henequen Rope Production in Yucatan, Mexico by Jack Wall

Jack Wall — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:43:23 +0000

If you are really interested in henequen and it’s history, I suggest that you start in Merida, Yucatan and hit the surrounding towns to the north and east. There is also a small book entitled “Haciendas Henequeneras de Yucatan” -Imagines de la Historia. This is a wonderful book describing the beginnings and the end of rope making in Yucatan.

Comment on Alvarez Guest House - a Feel at Home in Merida by Roberto

Roberto — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:12:02 +0000

www.yucatanliving.com is an informational site for Mérida and surrounding areas. They have also received comments on the Casa Alvarez Guest House that can be seen at

http://www.yucatanliving.com/readers-choice-polls/best-small-hotel-in-merida-centro.htm

Roberto
Ciudad Juárez, México