Tuesday, October 11, 2011

M IS FOR...

M  IS FOR...
MONKEYS
Last year we were fortunate enough to be able to take a cruise from San Diego down to Peru. The really neat thing about it was that we got to see a number of animals in the wild.  We had seen them in zoos, of course, but not actually wild.  We took a side trip back into the jungle where we saw crocodiles, sloths, toucans, iguanas and MONKEYS.  Capuchin monkeys to be exact.  A local family left watermelon out for them and they sure seemed to enjoy it!




This trip also incorporated several shore stops in MEXICO where we frequented MARKETS...




and listened to MARIACHI bands.... 

                                                                                            Credit to Wikipedia

Sadly, most cruise ships are no longer stopping in Mexico and several other central America countries because it is just too dangerous.  The drug cartels have taken over a lot of areas and the extreme violence involved in their turf wars as well as other things means that the country is losing much of its tourist trade.  We were fortunate to visit before conditions became so bad.  We were, of course, aware of the armed guards that were ever present and accompanied our buses and ship while in shore. Living so close to the border we are well acquainted with the problems.  It is such a shame because Mexico has much to offer the world. We have a Mexican church which meets on our church premises and the Mexicans I know are wonderful people.

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Please visit some of our other bloggers who participate in ABC WEDNESDAY by clicking on the link.  This is the ninth round and fifth year of this project, thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her trusty team.

22 comments:

Gigi Ann said...

The pictures of the Monkey's are so cute, and the story about Mexico is interesting but so sad as well.

Roger Owen Green said...

Always loved the colors of Mexican garb.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

EG CameraGirl said...

You were so fortunate to go there before things got so bad!

Jane and Chris said...

We have a Spanish service once per week at our Anglican church for the visiting migrant workers. They are kind friendly people.
Jane x

photowannabe said...

I would love to have one of those colorful blankets hanging on that line.
Its sad that the cruise ships aren't stopping at certain places in Mexico. Its rough for their economy.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow! Mexico eh? Love the travelling posts Chris. Dxx

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous photos, Chris!

Martha said...

Great minds think alike, at least when it comes to monkeys. :)

Wanda said...

Love that you take us on your travels via your blog. This was a great entry for the "M" word.

Chubskulit Rose said...

That's a beautiful monkey!

Nanka said...

Nice peep into Mexico if only it was not for the sad part!! Lovely people and much color in life there!!

MorningAJ said...

Looks fantastic. It's a shame that the turf wars are making life difficult. It can't be easy for the majority of ordinary Mexicans either.

snafu said...

Great pictures and a wonderful trip, but what a shame that so much greed is destroying a country and cutting it off from the rest of the world. According to recent news reports the drugs cartels are now behaving as guns for hire for terrorists.

Gattina said...

Beautiful market photos and the monkey is so cute !
Gattina
ABC Team

Scriptor Senex said...

A great selection of M's - thank you. Love the hanging cloth in the market - so colourful.

Meryl said...

I love those market colors!!!

claude said...

Excellent choice for M, Chris !
I love Mexican Music.

ChrisJ said...

Hi AJ: It is so bad for the Mexicans because many of the police are corrupt also. The people are literally dying by their thousands in barbaric ways!

Anonymous said...

I hate to read about the drugs and cartels taking over. But the part seldom spoken is who is buying the drugs and using them? Probably your neighbor or the guy who repairs cars or maybe the green grocer.

Tumblewords: said...

Mexico is a beautiful country and the people, for the most part, are friendly and happy. It's sad to see what has happened to it.

Elizabeth said...

That little girl's expression is just captured so beautifully. My two eldest are going out to Mexico soon to help set up an orphanage out there, so it was great to see a little of what awaits them. x

sandy said...

I remember seeing that sweet little girl somewhere else on your blog. Anyway, sure wish it wasn't so bad there..would love to travel now that I have time and see that part of the world.