Acapulco

 

Acapulco

We have been having some technical difficulties in working with Google Earth.  We are trying to get them straightened out so we can get things posted.  We apologize for the inconvenience of not getting our postings up in a regular manner.  We are writing the blog, and getting the pictures ready, but are having trouble completing the process.  Keep checking in.  This morning it looks like I will be able to get this blog posted to the trip, but I am not sure about the pictures.  We may have to start a second adventure site so stay tuned.

Jen writes:

A seaport nestled into the Sierra Madres, Acapulco’s most well-known for its cliff divers.  It’s turned into an annual competition with competitors from around the world.  Today, we watched 7 nimble divers swim across the small channel, climb up the rocks in bare feet, then do some stretching exercises while watching the waves gently roll in.  Cliff diving is a family tradition. Each trains for 3 years.  The cliff is 136’ high and they dive into 15’ of water.  They have no other job, retiring around age 25.  We were told that nowadays there are no accidents in the dives.   Generations ago, there were broken wrists, shoulders, ribs, and such.  Note the Catholic shrine on the platform.

Acapulco has grown exponentially due to the many movies filmed here and the rising tourism trade.  In 1949, population was 40,000.  Now it is 2 million strong with 50% living on the far side of the hills seen in the pictures.  After the cliff divers, our passenger van drove up into those hills to see the topmost site:  La Capella Ecumensa de la Paz (ecumenical chapel of peace) whose 140’ high white cross can be seen from the bay. This lovely and quiet spot is the cherry on top of a gated district of hillside homes with their own half-moon shaped swimming pools. It was built as a memorial by a very rich French mother for two of her four adult children who were killed in an airplane crash as they traveled between Mexico City and Acapulco.  The Two Hands statue is also in their memory—two right hands reaching to form a brotherhood.

As we drove toward two more sights, the tour guide mentioned all the Volkswagon Beetles seen everywhere.  “Here, we call them belly buttons.  Do you know why?“   Lots of wrong guesses. “Because everyone has one!” he chuckled.

Only a few moments later, traffic on our main highway suddenly backed up.  Looking ahead, we noted that every car, bus, scooter, truck, and taxi was being diverted.  As we neared, we noted policemen waving vehicles onto side streets.  Our guide rolled down his window and learned that there was a surprise demonstration ahead.  That was the beginning of a 2-hour drive on overloaded side streets and just enough air conditioning to keep all of us from overheating.  We ended up foregoing our last two stops, feeling grateful to get back on the ship for coolness and bladder relief. 

An hour later, a Mariachi band came on deck and played under an awning.  I felt sorry for them all dressed in their heavy outfits in 88 degree heat, but they added a festive ambience.  Our ship sailed at about 4:30 that afternoon, so we roamed between outside decks taking photos and visiting with folks.  Overall, a lovely day of learning.