After another busy year in Rome, I had a week-off while on my way to America. I only get to see my family once a year, which is very rare in Hispanic culture, so I decided to use these days to go to my hometown and see them.
Chetumal, Mexico is a small city in southeast Mexico. It's the capital of Quintana Roo, a state with popular tourist destinations, like Cancun, Cozumel, and the Mayan Riviera. Chetumal, though, while being the capital of the state is just a small border town. Although its airport is international, it has flights only to and from Mexico City. Up to a couple months ago, only one airline operated from there, Interjet. Aeromexico recently came back after years of absence, but with the same route.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7624781248_47741b05ee.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624781248/)
FCO-LHR-MEX-CTM-MEX-ORD-SUX-ORD-FCO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624781248/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
This trip, as I mentioned early, is a part of a larger trip. Most of the flights are with OneWorld partners, but none flies to Chetumal, so my options were either flying with Aeromexico and get SkyMiles, or flying with Interjet and get no miles. I really wanted to go with the first option, but their schedule would have meant spending a day less with my family, so I ended up going with Interjet.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7624782282_9c2529aebf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624782282/)
MEX-CTM-MEX (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624782282/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7624787588_3035daf481.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624787588/)
MEX-CTM-MEX Interjet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7624787588/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
As usual, you can go to my Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/with/7624787588/#photo_7624787588) and see the whole album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/sets/72157630360169960/).
MrDplus
Jul 25, 12, 11:36 am
After a long day flying from FCO to LHR and then on the MEX, I spent a night at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma. I will try and write a review as part of the larger trip report, but meanwhile this is a picture of the view from my room at sunrise.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7474350094_9f8ce75c31.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474350094/)
Mexico City - 076 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474350094/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
My flight was in the afternoon, so I spent the morning walking in the city. I'll include this walk on my next TR, but you can stop by the Flickr album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/sets/72157630359910280/) to see the photos.
At noon I took a cab to the airport. It was Father's Day, so someone decided to celebrate their dad by covering his cab with lots of posit notes.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7474415166_ab2d5a9119.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474415166/)
Mexico City - 153 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474415166/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
Once I got to the import I went straight to the check in counters. I must warn you now that I didn't take lots of pictures this time, and some of the pictures I took are blurry. I made this decision because last time I was in MEX, I was reprimanded twice by federal police officers for taking pictures, and I didn't want to go through that again.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7474467426_68d6ef2340.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474467426/)
Chetumal - 01 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474467426/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
Checking in was a breeze. I love all this Mexican airlines, that even though are considered low-cost carriers, don't charge for luggage, and even serve you some snacks on board.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7474469100_311710f379.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474469100/)
Chetumal - 03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474469100/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
After checking in I stopped by the American Express Centurion Club located land-side. It's my understanding that the land-side location is the only one where Gold card members are accepted. I had a drink and a Mexican snack there.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7474474346_b1df0966a8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474474346/)
Chetumal - 07 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474474346/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7474470584_200323f749.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474470584/)
Chetumal - 05 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474470584/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
About 20 minutes before boarding time I went through security and then on to the gate. I saw that the plane was going to be quite full, although I was still able to enjoy an empty seat next to me when the person sitting in the middle moved to another row.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7474475656_1f6b490b5e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474475656/)
Chetumal - 08 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474475656/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
When check in was called everyone rushed to the plane. It reminded me of my intra-European flights. I was the second to last to board, and I still found overhead space for my backpack.
Shortly before take-off it started raining. We still took-off on time, but I wasn't able to take as many pictures as I would have wanted to take.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7474478630_83e4e42f60.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474478630/)
Chetumal - 12 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474478630/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
As I mentioned early, a snack and drinks are offered complimentary. They are only a back of chips, and a nicely stocked bar that should embarrass any American carrier. Well, even the snack is similar to that offered by UA or AA in F on some flights.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7474483614_76fa776c8b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474483614/)
Chetumal - 19 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474483614/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
With this leg space, the trip was quite comfortable.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7474482844_9631c3da8e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474482844/)
Chetumal - 18 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474482844/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
If I remember correctly, every time I've flown this route, we always land on runway 20, but this time we landed on runway 28, which gave me an opportunity to take a few pictures of the bay and the city.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/7474488062_28e905facf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474488062/)
Chetumal - 25 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474488062/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/7474492376_81059e87a9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474492376/)
Chetumal - 30 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474492376/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7474495240_6383591083.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474495240/)
Chetumal - 34 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474495240/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7474496302_37359c6e9a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474496302/)
Chetumal - 35 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474496302/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
After we landed I tried to take some pictures of the terminal and of the plane, as I usually do, but one of 4O's employees rudely whistled at me and asked me to stop taking pictures. He didn't explain why, or even talked to me, but just whistled and made signs. That was definitely not the welcome I expected back home. I was still able to snap a couple pictures, though, before he stopped me.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7474500018_de8dfab130.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474500018/)
Chetumal - 41 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474500018/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7474500554_d641e7701c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474500554/)
Chetumal - 42 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474500554/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
On my next installment I will finally write about food in Southeastern Mexico.
MrDplus
Jul 25, 12, 11:48 pm
Chetumal is not a tourist destination. Well, at least not yet.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7474512968_e26a8d49ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474512968/)
Chetumal - 61 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474512968/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7474512144_55026ae517.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474512144/)
Chetumal - 60 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474512144/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
But something that I enjoy when I go visit my family, is having access to good and cheap food. While Chetumal is part of Mexico, and therefore you will find tacos everywhere, the flavor is unique because it has been influence by Caribbean culture.
This are some of my must-haves every time I go home. If you ever find yourself in Chetumal and would like to try any of this dishes, just PM and I'll give you all the information.
Let's start with a Mexican classic, tacos al pastor. This is marinated pork that developed from Lebanese cuisine. In my opinion, the best tacos al pastor are in central Mexico, but these were very good.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7474502604_2c148bf8ae.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474502604/)
Chetumal - 45 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474502604/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7474503400_696a4631e9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474503400/)
Chetumal - 46 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474503400/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
Next, we have lechón al horno, or roasted pig. It is usually served as tacos and tortas (sandwiches).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7474503994_cf350081c8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474503994/)
Chetumal - 47 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474503994/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
You can't go to the Caribbean and not eat seafood. The following pictures are from a lunch I had with my parents. The seafood sup and our first drinks were on the house. Then I had caracol al escabeche, or poached conch in a spicy onion soup.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7474505494_f1e4779bb7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474505494/)
Chetumal - 53 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474505494/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/7474506296_0338647e9e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474506296/)
Chetumal - 54 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474506296/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
If you've ever been to the Yucatan, then you've heard of horchata and salubutes. Horchata is rice water, while salbutes are some sort of tacos, with fried tortillas.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7474507072_a90b51cf43.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474507072/)
Chetumal - 55 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474507072/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
Another traditional dish in the Yucatan is cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork. Just as lechón al horno, it is served in tacos and tortas.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7474523140_cb943c2b93.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474523140/)
Chetumal - 72 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474523140/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
One of my comfort foods is empanadas. These are stuffed with beans, cheese, or ground meat and then fried. They are small and very cheap, but most of the flavor comes from the different salsas.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7474517860_d26da1c701.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474517860/)
Chetumal - 66 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474517860/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
Finally, my favorite, seafood tacos. On my plate you will see different shrimp dishes, but they have dishes with other kinds of seafood.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7474519924_d13278f4f1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474519924/)
Chetumal - 68 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/7474519924/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr
On my next installment I'll go back to aviation and write about my return to MEX.