Job Discussion Forums

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Seems everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting, so it's time to roll it out.

Some of us here are thinking that Xochimilco would be the spot for this one.

So, Saturday, September 22nd at 2 PM, we'll meet at the Embarcadero in Xochimilco. You have to be on time so we can all launch on the same boat.

The trick is, which embarcadero to launch from? One takes you through the more islandy, wide water areas. Kinda nice but fewer people and less Mariachi boats. The other runs through more of a residential area, has lots of people, and many vendors.

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Sorry, got my dirt class from 2:30 to 4:00. I will be cooling off with the sensual, erotic feeling of smooth, luxuriant clay oozing through my fingers.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:37 am Post subject:

I just made my plane reservation for my return, and, if all goes well I will be landing at Benito Ju�rez a little before 10 pm on Friday, September 21! Unless I'm really, really out of it from jet lag, I'll try to meet everyone in Xochimilco around noon on the 22nd. But it's a long trip from where I'll be living, so I might not get there in time. Guy, could you make the meeting time a little bit later than noon?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

This one's for you, so yeah, let's make it 2 PM? Some of us can meet you at a different rally point to go down to Xochi.

thelmadatter · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject: vote

I vote for the more tranquil route. Done the high-traffic route several times, the back way only once. Means though that we have to be sure that we are well-provisioned (for dixie that means beer Laughing

)

MO39 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

I was hoping to make it to one last get together before I leave (I have decided not to stay in Mexico), but alas, my flight is on September 11th.

notamiss · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

Greatly regret that I won't be able to make it on the 22 and meet you all. I live only a short walk away from the busier embarcadero. Since I am on the spot, maybe I can help out anyway with some local organizing, like scouting out a meeting place and posting photo & map of same; how to get there, both by car (& where to park) and public transport; and making some suggestions for an eating/drinking place.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject:

MO39 · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:10 am Post subject:

notamiss · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject:

I've put a map here: http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=embarcaderosmaprk3.jpg (How do you get it to appear in the posting?) More information to follow.

notamiss · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Referring to the map http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=embarcaderosmaprk3.jpg, the Fernando Celada embarcadero is the easiest one to reach by either car or public transport, but there is not parking; anyone bringing a car would have to take their chances on nearby streets (another, more secure option would be to park at the nearby Sanborns which is about a 15-min walk or 2-min. taxi or bus ride away). This is the embarcadero Guy mentioned that is more islandy and watery, and less populated. Caution; I've had the experience of being quoted a price of 50% more here than at the other embarcaderos. The gringa factor wasn't involved, because this was with the Mexican family doing the asking.

The Nativitas embarcadero (aka Zacapa) is the main touristy one. Lively, crowded, noisy. Ample parking, and reachable by public transport, though the directions for getting there are slightly more complex. Large craft market. Nice t-shirts; most of the rest is cheap stuff, though there are some exceptions if you look carefully. Lots of food and drink for sale. Although I don't get a vote, since I'm not going to be there, this embarcadero is my recommendation. The "lively, crowded, noisy" I mentioned above are all plusses in my book. If you go on the less populated part, there isn't much to do or see. We've done this paseo countless times (every time we have have a foreign visitor) and we never get tired of it. If you opt for this one, I can direct you to my father-in-law's cousin's widow's family's carnitas stand where you can buy your lunch. Nothing like family connections, is there?

This embarcadero is pretty large, so if you decide to meet there you'd need to identify a particular spot. If needed, I can scout out a rendezvous point and post information.

The Caltongo embarcadero leads to the same area as the Nativitas one, just starting at the other end. I'm not too familiar with it from the landward side, so I'm not sure about the facilities. There might be some food and crafts. I'm pretty sure there's not much parking, if any. If you're interested in this one, I can check it out and provide more information.

On the other hand, departing from Caltongo, you can also opt to pass through the lock and head up-canal, which takes you to the area accessed by the F. Celada embarcadero. Watching the trajinera get hauled up the lock is somewhat interesting in itself.

There's plenty of food and drink available on the canal itself, so you don't necessarily have to take it with you, except that the available drink is beer and regular pop. If you want harder stuff, or diet pop, you'd want to bring your own. The food is elotes and esquites, candied apples, crunchy snacks like potato chips, and that type of stuff as far as I can recall. There are also some "floating restaurant" boats that will serve up a full chicken mole, rice and tortilla dinner.

Gary Denness · Guest

Slightly diverting from the topic, but only slightly....!

I have taken it upon myself to set a new world record on the Metro - travelling every stretch of the network in the shortest time possible. Why? Umm... Rolling Eyes

I did a blog for it, and there is an explanation there! Plus other details.

http://mexicanmetromarathon.blogspot.com/

It's only half as crazy as it sounds I promise! People do this for metros all over the place. Besides, I'm hoping to raise a little money to save some turtles. I have Red Eared Sliders at home, and they are sooooo....cute?

I have one or two students who have expressed interest in joining me - a few hours free English practise the necessary bribery there!

If anyone fancies joining in, send me a message, or reply to this. If there are a few, maybe we could even have a race?!

Failing that, you can always sponsor me, and help save some turts! Smile

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

Thank you, Melee. If you do move to Morelia, there might still be the opportunity to meet as I have made several dear friends here and am sure I will be back to visit them once in a while.

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

Any decisions reached on where to meet? I was thinking of trying to head north for the gathering and maybe spend an evening in DF.