The Unique Flavor of Playa Del Carmen: Technology Friend or Foe, Google and Viator

I do not know if you will be able to blow up the trail marker with the words, but it basically explains there are the remains of three distinct Mayan villages in the city Playa del Carmen. They are remains that just pop up in the middle of things. Here is the transition from a well populated condo area. The jungle across the street from the condos hasn’t been eliminated for new building, not unusual. It is somewhat cooler than going to a park, and exciting to stumble upon the mix of ancient and urban. Greenery is commonplace here.

I may complain about technology too much, but, it sure can overwhelm an old man at times. Yesterday when I started this post I tried to schedule a tour to the crown jewel city of Mayan civilization Chichen Itza. It looked as though it would be a fairly simple process. 6 hours later I thought I was finished. Then I received an email with yet another change that warned me nothing would be set in stone until I received a confirmation by 8pm. No email so I sent them an email at 8:22. Then they confirmed the trip.

I will not bore you, or me, with the details of a 6 hour ordeal, but between Google lacking understanding of the streets in Playa del Carmen, many with Mayan names; and Viator (who I previously found to be great to deal with) changing the rules of the game mid stream several times, then telling out and out lies that perpetuated the email chain and a couple chats it was a 6 hour ordeal. Thus I ask the question, “friend or foe”? Maybe it really is nothing more than old man syndrome, or maybe the option to call and speak to people might work?

Enough of that. It got done! We went to Chichen Itza today, but I have had enough for one day and will return tomorrow with pictures galore.