June 12, 2008

Traveling in Mexico Hotels in Orizaba

Filed under: translation — admin @ 2:09 am

Where to Stay in Orizaba

There are a considerable number of budget-priced or economy hotels located throughout the city but when looking around at budget or even mid-range hotels in Orizaba, you’ll note that many come stocked with “ladies of the evening” who are standing at or just inside of the hotel front door. Make no mistake, many of these ladies come with “the gift that keeps on giving” - AIDS. Most well-run hotel establishments will not allow them and these hotels are usually marked as “family” hotels. You will have far fewer problems (or temptations) staying at a “family” hotel even if it’s located across from or next door to a “stocked” hotel. Keep your eyes open and BE CAREFUL at all times! Some recommendable places include these:

Name: Hotel Arenas
Address: Norte 2 No. 169
Phone: 725-2361

A small, family-run hotel located directly in back of the yellow-walled Parrish Church of San Miguel. There is an attractive, plant-filled courtyard fronting the economically priced rooms. Most have a TV and fan with private bath and are clean but unpretentious. The street out front is usually pretty crowded as it’s the market district, so there’s plenty of activity until about 9 pm when things go quiet. Singles / doubles are 100 pesos and 120 pesos respectively. Expect to pay slightly more during peak seasons.

Name: Hotel San Crist

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June 4, 2008

Traveling in Mexico Where to Stay in Cancun Without Spending Your Inheritance

Filed under: translation — admin @ 4:14 am

WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN:

If you’re dreaming of a bungalow on the beach and living with the sounds of waves lapping crystal sands as music to your ears lulling you like a lullaby - return to earth - those places cost far more than you’ll probably ever be able to afford as a working English language teacher here. If you’ll consider living as the locals do, then you’ll be off the beach, but only a few minutes bus ride away from the powdery, sugar-like sands of one of the world’s most pristine stretches of diatomaceous beach. Still interested?

Most of Cancun’s more affordable hotels are near the main bus terminal on the Avenida Uxmal or the Avenida Tulum. It’s an easy area to get to or away from starting from any point in the Cancun area. Buses to the beach and resorts run along the Avenida Tulum. It’s also a relatively safe area at night with plenty of places to eat, shop, and work located nearby. Note: Prices in Cancun are higher than in most other Mexican cities for the same or similar services and from there rise dramatically during the Winter months.

Hotel El Alux
Avenida Uxmal No. 21
884 - 0662, 884 - 0556

This small hotel has reasonably-priced air-conditioned (you’ll need it) rooms with TV, phone and hot water for 220 pesos, single or 240 pesos for a double. Staff is friendly and helpful. A travel agent and car rental agency are on the ground floor with tour information and budget-priced vehicles available. You can walk here from the bus station, just go to the corner of Avenida Uxmal, cross the street and go left for one block. It’s the multi-story pink building.

Hotel Cotty
Avenida Uxmal No. 44
884 - 1319, 884 - 0550

For about the same prices as the Hotel Alux, you can get lodging in this motel-style inn across and down the street a bit. It’s not as nice, but the services are adequate and rooms are clean. There are only two floors, so an elevator isn’t necessary and rooms open onto a central courtyard that doubles as a parking area. Make sure to get an air-conditioned room, the Yucatan sizzles in Summer. A restaurant is on the premises with inexpensive fare on the menu. It’s also open late.

Hotel Uxmal
Avenida Uxmal No. 111
884 - 2266, 884 - 2355

Two blocks further along the Avenida Uxmal, near Berlitz, this inexpensive, family-run hotel is popular with the locals as a “love motel”, since the Avenida Yaxchilan is closeby. No “working girls” or “ladies of the evening” though. So, it’s OK as an alternate if you’re having trouble finding a place soon after arrival. Check the room first before paying as quality can vary widely. Rooms with A/C are more, but worth it if available. Prices are around 160 pesos to 180 pesos. Some rooms are even less, but without A/C, though they do have a fan.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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June 2, 2008

Traveling in Mexico The Food in Orizaba

Filed under: translation — admin @ 2:13 am

SO HOW’S THE FOOD? : Well let me tell you

Good food is easy to come by in the city. There’s a generous variety of offerings as well. Local fare centers on huge sandwiches of beef, pork, chicken or turkey complete with assorted HOT peppers. Roast meat dishes and typical fast-food fare is likewise plentiful, as are the ever-present pizza and burger joints. Even in the majority of these, the platters are sizeable, filling and tasty. The central city area is brimming with choice places for almost any budget. Here are some to check out:

Name: Merendero Rosey
Address: Oriente 7 at the corner of Norte 2

A “torteria” or sandwich shop specializing in HUGE, freshly-made sandwiches of beef (carne), lamb (cordero), chicken (pollo), or turkey (pavo) priced from 5 pesos to 9 pesos. A wonderful bargain.

Name: La Gran Torta
Address: On Colon at the Parque del Castillo

Another great “belly-buster” sandwich spot which has more variety, including some piping hot meals as well. Their sandwich specialty is turkey and they will pile it on until you say “Ouch!”. Prices are so low that I fail to understand how they can possibly make any money - it MUST be the staggering volume of business they do. The place is knee-deep in people from opening until closing. That should tell you something. You’ve just got to try this one !

Name: La Pergola
Address: Oriente 6 and Sur 7 (on the corner)

A small, family-run restaurant with a full menu of local dishes including some pasta. Service is quick and the food though uninspired is inexpensive, tasty and filling. Entrees range in price from 25 to 60 pesos. The are such a bunch of other local eateries along this stretch of Oriente 6 that there’s absolutely no danger whatsoever of going hungry on this street.

Name: Mariscos Boca Del Ri

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