I went to Mexico for vacation last week.
Where in Mexico? The vast land, which used to be called the Imperio Mexicano, has a variety of regions, much like our own British Columbia, so I have to say where in Mexico. I went to Cancun, located in the state (Mexico is also called the United Mexican States) of Quintana Roo, located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Yes, the same peninsula that saw a variety of prehistorical and historical events occur, such as the Mayan civilization, as well as the extinction of the dinosaurs after an asteroid hit a region close to the peninsula millions of years ago.
For those wondering what Quintana Roo is named after, it is named after Andres Quintana Roo, who was a liberal politician, lawyer and author who lived in the 19th century and was influential in the Mexican War of Independence when Mexico broke away from the Spanish Empire. He is commemorated as well in the soccer stadium in modern Cancun. Quintana Roo was a territory from 1902 to 1913, when it became a part of the state of Yucatan, located to the northwest, and then became its own territory again in 1915 until 1974 when it was granted statehood.
I, unfortunately, could not visit any of the tourist attractions or historical sites there. (I was able to visit the Chechen Itza and a couple of Mayan ruins during my last visit to Mexico). This is because I only had five days, which I spent in a sort of cycle of lying on the sandy beach, swimming in the waves and then walking from one side of the beach to the other. I also listened, quite unfittingly, to black metal throughout - three bands: Bathory, Darkthrone and Mayhem. (Maybe my next vacation should be to Scandinavia, where all three bands are from.)
So it was not particularly memorable. However, I do highly recommend you take a trip to the tropical paradise and I do think it would be a good idea to visit the historical ruins of the Mayan civilization. And to some of you who may be concerned about Mexico (with reason, as it can be quite violent) - the resorts are actually heavily guarded. You’ll be safe there if you do decide to visit.
Now, what had occurred in the world while I was gone? Wait, what is this? Did Mr. Small Loan of a Million Dollars just hit us with a 25 per cent tariff on several products? Did the Canadian government under Justin Trudeau, who called us a “post-national country with no core identity” decide to suddenly be performatively nationalist and say “Buy Canadian instead?” (Oh, now we got a 30 day reprieve from Orange Man's wrath, how good.) Is BMO still trying to shut down the 100 Mile branch with no explicit explanation besides possibly focusing on a digital-first growth operation?
Maybe I should have stayed in Mexico.
