Many of our readers know Jenny from the various Cancun message boards, or have met her in person. She has the most amusing “moving to Cancun” story I’ve ever heard and I asked her to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

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Jenny’s Story–Part 1

The story of my arrival to Cancun has been the butt of endless jokes and drunken anecdotes. Susan asked me to post my story so here goes.

After living in Cancun for over five years I have developed an interest in various message boards about Cancun and the surrounding area. I see a lot of posts from people asking for information about living in Cancun, doing research, getting a feel for the place etc. I think mmm sensible people, doing their homework before making their life changing decisions. Those fools that come to Cancun thinking it’s all palm trees, Margaritas and good times – just like they’re on vacation right? Well, that’s kinda what I was!!

My first visit to Cancun was for a week back in, lets see…August 1998. A week of fun, sun, and drunken antics. I stayed in what was Las Velas, a beautiful hotel which gave me my first taste of Mexico. After a week of drinking like it was going out of fashion and playing with the animation team, my friend and I decided “hey we can do their job, no problem!” So we went back to UK and began to think about our next holiday and the prospect of moving to Cancun for a few months.

In October 1998 we were jetting to Cancun once again. We arrived at the hotel full of anticipation of spending two weeks this time and checking out the prospect of working in this beautiful hotel. Little did we know that hurricane Mitch was approaching Cancun. Travel agencies were sending people back to the UK, the hotel was locking down – and what did we do? We stayed in the hotel with no guests, sitting outide our hotel room drinking beer. In the end the hurricane didn’t hit Cancun directly so no harm done.

We went back to England determined to sell our cars, quit our jobs, and pack our suitcases. Had we mentioned our hopes and dreams to the hotel? Noooo, that would be too sensible! Had they any idea what we were planning? Noooo, of course not! We knew what we were doing. Besides, how could they ever turn down two English chicks looking to help out with beach games?!

So full steam ahead…. we’re moving to Cancun!!

More to come…

Last week, I took a taxi from my home to Plaza Las Americas. The taxi driver spoke to me in Spanish, obviously. After a few minutes, I apparently passed some sort of test and the driver started speaking to me in English. I quickly noticed that his English was excellent and he hardly had an accent. I know that many people visiting Cancun do not speak Spanish, but sometimes like to hire a taxi for the day to do sightseeing on their own. For that reason, I got the driver’s name and phone number.

The driver’s name is Martin Osorio Pacheco and his cell phone number is 044 998 939 5325. From a land-line in Cancun, dial the number as listed. Calling cell phones in Cancun can be expensive when dialing from a hotel phone. Check the price before making the call, in order to avoid any surprises at check-out. (I learned that the hard way when I had to pay $100usd for calls to cell phones from my hotel room!)

Martin has a standard-sized taxi, but he can transport 4 adults. For a long trip (to Tulum, for example), you would probably be more comfortable with 3 passengers, or less. You can hire him for a full day or half-day…..or just for a quick trip within the hotel zone or downtown Cancun. He told me that he used to work in the hotel zone (based at Cancun Palace), but has had to work downtown since the hurricane. I would suggest calling him a day or two before you need his services, to make arrangements and to insure his availability.

I get many emails from people that want to move to Cancun. They ask about many things but, obviously, finding work seems to be one of the main concerns people have when planning the move. Other people have asked me about volunteer work in the area. I do my best to help every person that emails me, but I certainly do not have all the answers. I recently found this website: www.volunteerlatinamerica.com. Mexico is one of the many countries listed where you can do volunteer work. Cancun is not specifically listed, however.

Finding work in Mexico is very difficult, due to immigration rules that state a foreigner cannot take a job that a Mexican can do. It’s a great rule when it comes to protecting the people of your country, but not so great when you are a foreinger trying to make ends meet. Last week, a friend (a recent college graduate) told me about an organization called BUNAC. While it is NOT Mexico-related, I thought it was worth mentioning on this board because this organization helps you obtain a work visa for Australia and several other places…but NOT Mexico, unfortunately. If the organization does all they claim to do, I think this is a wonderful opportunity for any young person that hasn’t figured out what they want to be when they grow up…even though they’ve already been thrown out into the REAL world. The web address for BUNAC is www.bunac.org.

APPLE VACATIONS said it has changed its flight times to Cancun so that its passengers arrive and depart earlier in the morning when the airport is less congested. Apple said the change was prompted by Cancun’s airport operations converting to one terminal for all scheduled, charter and private plane arrivals, a move that has turned Cancun Airport into “one of the most congested airports in the world,” according to Apple. The new timetable means that Apple’s USA3000 flights from most cities now arrive in Cancun at 8:50 a.m. and depart Cancun at 9:50 a.m. For information or reservations, visit www.applevacations.com.

IBEROSTAR HOTELS & RESORTS has opened a two-story, 27,000-square-foot spa at its resort complex in the Riviera Maya. The full-service El Spa features 28 treatment rooms, a large saltwater swimming pool with an underwater music system and an enclosed courtyard with a shallow moat of moving water for hydrotherapy treatments. Guests of the Iberostar Paraiso Maya have free access to the spa’s wet areas, while guests of the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Iberostar Paraiso Beach and Iberostar Paraiso del Mar can use the wet areas if they book a spa treatment or pay an entrance fee. For information or reservations, call (888) 923-2722 or visit www.iberostar.com.

**This information is from Travel Weekly, a travel industry magazine.

Explore the Region: World Heritage Sites

In addition to the stunning turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea, the white sand beaches, the world-class nightlife, the abundance of fantastic restaurants, and the great shopping, did you know that this area of Mexico also has an astonishing five sites designated as World Heritage sites?

The World Heritage List was established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) at it’s 17th General Conference in 1972. The list of sites is updated annually. There are 730 places on the planet Earth that the World Heritage Committee has decided are so special that they have been designated as World Heritage Sites. These locations are recognized as unique geographic, cultural and mixed sites, and are given special government consideration.

The Yucatan Peninsula has 5 designated World Heritage sites:

Historic Fortified Town of Campeche

Campeche is a typical example of a harbour town from the Spanish colonial period in the New World. The historic centre has kept its outer walls and system of fortifications, designed to defend this Caribbean port against attacks from the sea.

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza

This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya, Toltec and Iztec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol.

Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal

The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals a knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and architecture.

Ancient Maya City of Calakmul, Campeche

Calakmul, an important Maya site set deep in the tropical forest of the Tierras Bajas of southern Mexico, played a key role in the history of this region for more than twelve centuries. Its imposing structures and its characteristic overall layout are remarkably well preserved and give a vivid picture of life in an ancient Maya capital.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka’an means ‘Origin of the Sky’. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region’s characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system.

http://whc.unesco.org/

Thanks to Gringa for this information!