Mexico journal: Cancun

There is not much to say about Cancun; it is a prime tourist destination with the third busiest airport in the world during the pandemic. It also didn’t exist 50 years ago.

It is hard for me to comprehend Cancun as a whole because, well, I didn’t really see what others see. I was on the tourist strip, the part of Cancun where most hotels and attractions are, only once. And at the time it was empty(ish) because of the raging pandemic. Most of my time was spent in the self-enclosed Puerto Cancun, the rich part of the city, with the common excursions to the poor-er non-touristy parts (e.g. Mercado 23).

Only a few times did we go out for a walk downtown. I was advised to keep only a small camera on me and had a Spanish speaking person (and a lovely one at that) with me at all times. These parts of Cancun are perfectly safe for tourists, but given t…

The life at the main square (if you can call it that) has stopped. Only a few vendors kept their doors open.

Tourists were few in the downtown. This couple just arrived on the bus station from the airport and seemed like they were the only one there.

The said busses are running still.

But the markets linger mostly empty

Or they would be if there weren’t for an idiot with a cowboy hat.

The good part of the trip has been spent in car(s). And the reason for that is quite simple: it was safer. Both COVID-wise and me-carrying-a-very-expensive-camera(s)-wise, “hidden” and poorer parts of Cancun are better seen from a battered car. Was this overly cautious? Probably. But I didn’t want to get my cameras stolen at the very end of my trip.

Tamy’s dad took me around to see the “hidden” parts of the city.

And most of the pictures in these area were taken from the car window.

And most of the pictures in these area were taken from the car window.

I’m so happy that I’ve seen these parts, but not sure if I’d do it on foot, especially not now with the economy being what it is.

Little corsas are some of the most-seen cars in the poorer areas (this one was taken in front of the VERY expensive building however). They can still be bought new here under chevrolet badge.

The only real trips on foot were in the rich guarded area of Puerto Cancun

Which has beautiful seascapes, despite most beaches being closed.

And you can see the moon in the broad daylight.

Also given the way things are, between the “hurricane” and the pandemia, we’ve spent a lot of time in the apartment. Naturally, I’ve taken many pictures there as well.

I’ve discovered my love my love for actual mangos - not the stuff we get in Europe.

The punny t-shirts are still a stretch though.

This is a sight of Cancun at dusk/sunset. I was trying to capture comet Neowise which was hidden somewhere behind the clouds to the north.