A First Timers View of Cozumel- The Good and the Bad

[Christi]

As for kids being in school rather than out hawking goods, thats great and I agree. On the other side of the coin though is that in Mexico public education only goes to 3rd grade if I remember correctly, after that the parents must pay. I doubt many of the poorer families can afford this expense no matter how necessary it seems.

Living in Alto California we have great Mexican food. The local places here are as good or better than most of the places we ate in Mexico, but not cheaper. This doesn't apply to across the board however, because most of the bigger places are "mexican like" food,adding their own spin, some are good, really good, but others? We went out last night for a friends birthday party, nice place, great upscale location, mediocre Mexican food, oh well.

Primary school = elementary school
secondaria = Jr. high school
Collegio = high school

Public school is required through 3rd grade at the secondaria level, which would be like 8th/9th grade in the US. Each school has 1st through 3rd or 4th grade rather than continuing on after elementary school up through 12th grade. Make sense?

HIgh school things get much more expensive which is why many kids don't get the opportunity to continue on. Either the families can't afford to send them and/or they have to put the kids to work after secondaria to help support the family.

As mentioned in another post however, the overall economy has actually improved with the increase of tourism from the cruise ships...so more families ARE able to send their kids all the way through school.

There is also a charitable organization on the island started by a group of AMerican Women called Chrysalis. This organization is like a scholarship program for the econimically challenged families with children who mantain above average grades, have good attendance, etc. This program allows the kids to continue on the "high school" by paying their tuition, uniforms, books, shoes, and supplies. Read more about Chrysalis here: http://geocities.com/smallsal/chrysalis/

 

[herman]

Ok, guess I have to get back in this.

"OH...I wanted to add something about the service in Mexico that many people are unaware of.
In this culture, it is considered RUDE for the waiters to bother you while you are eating and they do not bring the check until you specifically ask for it. They take your order, bring your food, and do not approach the table unless they are asked to. It is not customary for them to check on your every few minutes or even once during your meal until prompted by you. "

Christi, I am well aware of this and I can assure you this was not the case, it's kind of hard to get a waiters attention when they are no where in sight or worse yet 3 or 4 of them 20 ft away and still ignoring you. I know the difference in island time and/or non intrusive customs and poor service. This was poor service.


"Just HAD to comment ....One of the funniest, most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time ! Like saying the pizza is better at Pizza Hut then in Italy..HA HA HA HA "

Now this I do take some offence to, Becky I do know the differenc between Taco Bell and authentic Mexican food. I stand by my statememt, in dish for dish comparison several restaurants here in Raleigh beat anything I had while in Coz in quality, quanitity, value and customer service. I admit this is based on the resort restaurant and several others that were in the more tourist areas. I suspect that finding some of the more local restaurants would have been better.


I have no doubt there are some great places I missed and I am sorry I did. My report is based on my experiences as well as those of others I was traveling with. I will likely return some day and if my experience is different, thats what I will post. I believe in giving everyone and place a second chance. I would also like to point out that the restaurants and vendors were the only negative points in my trip report, the resort and the dive operation I gave high marks to. And there were 2 restaurnats that I praised as well. I call things as I seem them, good or bad.

 

[halocline]

Just HAD to comment ....One of the funniest, most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time ! Like saying the pizza is better at Pizza Hut then in Italy..HA HA HA HA :flame:

Actually, the pizza in Italy that I've had is nothing special....never having been to pizza hut, I can't comment on the comparison, but I get your point!

I've been fortunate to travel extensively in several parts of Mexico over the past few years, and I've rarely had any problems with food or service. Christi's right on; it's in the culture that waiters leave you alone unless you ask for something, and thank god for it! OTOH, as a caffiene addict, I can relate to the frustration of not getting your morning coffee RIGHT NOW... but traveling does mean you need patience and some flexibility. Maybe next time, order a cappucino "bien cargado" or "well charged" and as soon as they bring that one, order another. It really works!

 

[Christi]

Herman,

There is no need to get defensive in regards to my comment, I was not attacking you or your comments. I did not single you out nor was I even referring to your post specifically. My comments were stated in general terms since the subject came up. I hear the complaint quite often that "the waiters never came to the table after they delivered our food" or "we sat there forever waiting for the check" so I thought I would take the opportunity to throw out that tidbit of information for those that don't know, as my post stated.

I have no problem with your review of Cozumel, and it didn't offend me. I know that this is not heaven on earth for everyone. Believe me, there are days I wonder what I'm doing here and why I gave up my cush upper middle-class life to live here. I don't have regrets, just bad days like we all have no matter where we live...it's just easy to blame these bad days on being in a foreign country sometimes

When I reflect back and ask myself why I am here...it always comes back to the same thing for me...the people, the natural beauty, and the very "simple" way of life here...and the diving of course. Cozumel does have a very special charm that grabs ahold of some people and doesn't let them go. That's what happened to me, but I know it doesn't happen to everyone and obviously it didn't happen to you. I hope that next time you have a much different experience.

I also know there are much more physically beautiful places but Cozumel is home to me now and it is the most beautiful place to me. I'm a homegrown Texan, but I've also lived in Hawaii (north shore Oahu); Grenoble, France; Cozumel of course...and I've traveled extensively throughout other Caribbean destinations, the Hawaiian islands, and Europe, including all the Greek Isles and Cyprus...so I do have a pretty broad frame of reference.

My favorite thing to do now besides diving of course...is to drive or ride north to Playa Azul, and do my morning swim in the ocean. I've found myself saying to myself..."WOW, I live here" and it seems to make my day

 

[Cozoholic]

Actually, the pizza in Italy that I've had is nothing special....never having been to pizza hut, I can't comment on the comparison, but I get your point!

...for the exhagerations....

However, Italy, I understand has a different kind of pizza - similiar to our Margarita here - correct? Margarita is my favorite...Brooklyn, NY has the BEST PIZZA. But there is a place around the corner from my work that comes DAMN close - oh how I couldnt live w/ our my pizza

 

[herman]

Christi, after reading my post again, I need to apologize to you. It does sound pretty defensive and that was not my intent. Tell you what, next time I'm in town, you show me the best place in Coz and the wife and I will buy you and yours dinner.

 

[Christi]

Christi, after reading my post again, I need to apologize to you. It does sound pretty defensive and that was not my intent. Tell you what, next time I'm in town, you show me the best place in Coz and the wife and I will buy you and yours dinner.

No apology needed...and I'll be happy to show you my favorite spot...but you don't have to buy Having you enjoy a good Cozumel meal will be payment enough

 

[ggunn]

I stand by my statememt, in dish for dish comparison several restaurants here in Raleigh beat anything I had while in Coz in quality, quanitity, value and customer service. I admit this is based on the resort restaurant and several others that were in the more tourist areas. I suspect that finding some of the more local restaurants would have been better.

I don't think that anyone was doubting that you found Mexican food in NC that you liked better than the fare on Cozumel. I am sure that you realize, however, that most if not all the Mexican food one finds in the States is anglicized for US tastes, and does not accurately reflect what folks in Mexico actually eat. This is, I suspect, what struck some of us as funny.

 

[zinmaker]

What is authentic Yucatan or Mayan food? We have several Mexican Restaurants where I live, including two from the Yucatan region. One of them in my opinion is tex-mex the other I thought very authentic, with the white refried beans, are those authentic, and a prawn enchilada that can't be beat in my opinion. Including the worst service anywhere that would make any Mexican restaurant in Mexico seem fast(Just plan ahead before going) .
I have had the best Surf and Turf I've ever eaten at La Prima, the next time I went there it was just very good, must have had my expectations set too high

 

[scubajim]

Sometimes Prima's is hit and miss. I used to love their veal parm but last Dec it was just OK.