Ruinas Palenque

It's 6:30am, I'm not heating no rooster this morning, instead I'm hearing the sounds of exotic birds, well exotic for me, perhaps an annoyance to them. Was thinking I'd be hearing monkeys too, but no such luck.

One thing I've picked up on in México is these little buses called Colectivos. They have them in México City and I'm sure other places I've visited. But what's interesting is that they have them in Palenque as well and I need to take one to the Palenque ruins. The interesting part is that I have had a need to study to find out how they work.

Colectivos are these small buses with markings in their windows in marker, paint, colored tape or cardboard sign with the hand written destination. In México these buses are green and seem to have these predetermined stops. Here in Palenque they're white and if you look at one the wrong way they either scream out their window for your attention or do U-turns and will verify your need for their service. 
Here in México everything is organized, not just the crimes. Taxis belong to an organization and so do the colectivos. Having said that, taking a colectivo should be a breeze.

Anyway, today looks to be a very nice day. Bought a fútbol baseball cap yesterday for $285. Just had a nice full breakfast and their wonderful café listening to salsa music from the restaurant next door.

* * *

Mexicanos are so nice and gentle. I was lucky enough to find a colectivo parked downtown. I hopped in and asked how much. "Diez pesos," he says. "Pago aquí o la destinación?" I asked.  "Como te gusta," he replied.

* * *

The Ruins of Palenque are amazing. The pictures that you see in books, magazines and the Internet don't give it justice. The view is just like it was taken out of an Indiana Jones movie except you expect a team of Predators to come out shooting; it's unreal.

The jungle surrounding the ruins is thick and immense. Supposedly there are monkeys in this jungle, but they sleep during the day; supposedly. There's not much else to explain. Just imagine walking into this thick jungle and then discovering these immense structures which seem to have been abandoned.  You're surrounded by jungle, these huge ruins and the unknown. That's how it feels.

* * *

The museum on the other hand wasn't much to look at. I think most of the artefacts went to the museum of anthropology in México City. The gift had some ok things. For such an important archeological site, the museum and gift shop were disappointing; although I did buy some Chiapas coffee.

On the way out saw a colectivo heading back to centro and took that.

Now I'm sitting in an Oaxaqueno style restaurant. And like I do in all Mexican restaurants I ordered a beer and guacamole; great tasting as usual.