had a great break in Yucatan with my brother and sister, I think I wore them out, I didnt realise they wanted a relaxing holiday....
Visisted Villahermosa, Campeche, Merida, Uxmal, Chitchen Itza, Tolum, Puebla, Cordoba. DAvid got sick in MErida, so me and Jennifer continued on to Tolum and then met david and helen later in Villahermosa.
Yucatan is amazing, the clearest bluest water Ive seen in MExico and such friendly people. Its cool to travel now I can speak some spanish and talk to people.

the way home was a nightmare though, as we entered Mexico City there was a downpour of rain for about 15 minutes, it flooded the road completly and after waiting half an hour we slowly drove through the flood, was fine until water started coming in the bottom of the car, and then another car went past and sent a wave through the window! the water stank.

After the flood, I got lost trying to find our way back, and we did a dodgey turn at some traffic lights and got stopped by the police. he said we would have to go to the station and pay a fine of 10 days minimum wage, which is 45 pesos a day, so 450 pesos, but then he doubled it to 800 pesos for no reason, so after umming and ahhing in spannish about what to do, as I couldnt quite understand him, we decided to follow him to the station. but when we got back in the car, he called us over again and told me the other option was to pay the fine now, so I paid him 200 pesos and off we went. they are trying to clean up the police in Mexico city, but I dont think its working. people can get in trouble for offering bribes, as well as them for accepting it, but he practically asked for it. second time this has happened here.

anyhow, so much work to do, as I plan to leave next friday or saturday for LA. and have 2 presentations, 2 exams and loads of other stuff I want to do before I go home. Jeremy still has trouble with his Visa for UK so hes going to stay a bit longer here.

SARS is getting worse. got an Email from Fida a indonesian friend studying in Singapore:

"Yeah, about SARS.. people are definitely panicking. I think everyone (except my lazy self) has a surgical mask. (but i never saw anyone wearing it, which is strange since there are practically no more masks in stores)

They even put a special form in the library where you have to fill up the time of your arrival, the exact places you've been in the library and the time when you left. (A good note that it's easier finding an empty seat nowadays hehehe)

Plus the canteen people have to wear masks.. I don't know about you, but I kinda feel uncomfortable having my lunch served by someone who looks like he's handling chemicals (or just finished surgery) rather than food!

back in singapore on the 13th, so sorting out a reunion if you are there.
see you soon,
John

Very busy trying to wrap things up before the easter holidays, and scan some slides for my art teacher here to get some pocket money for Malaysia. My brother and sister arrived on sunday and we rented a car and drove for two days, we are now in campeche on the Yucatan peninsula and its going well, apart from the sand flies on the beach, which got us all.
weather i amazing, beaches are great, more Myan ruines to come before returning to D.F. Jeniffer came with us, but Joeslina went to Guadalajara instead.

Merida, Chitchenitza, and perhaps the east coast if we have enough time.
back next tues or wed, they leave on the thursday.
John

This weekend was rosis 15th Birthday party, the whole backyard was transformed into a party area for 5-800 people! not sure of the final number, was a huge event and went really well. Later on saturday evening was another party for another rosi, the wife of Hector, where I played guitar, not much, but a few beatles songs. they wouldnt let me leave until I had danced until 3am....

Sunday it rained, all day long, just like England, I stayed in bed all day and read "Bring home the revolution" by Jonothan Freedland, the case for a british republic, a very good read. Monday made a wire Giraffe in sculpture class. went to the cinema last week, theconfessions of Mr Schmidt, was good, weds are half price so going again tonight with MarieJose from my sculpture class. Went to a Juaness concert with her last wek as well, some Columbian pop star, was cool.

Siblings arrive in 2 weeks time, heading to Yucatan. planning to leave on the 27th ish.

Flu/Pnumonia in asia is worrying, friends in Singapore are panicing, 4 people have died in singapore and NTU has put exams back by 2 weeks and exchange students are leaving early. no reports in Taiwan as yet, but 65 have died in total 4 in Canada as well!? most in HK and China, but I think one in Malaysia as well, a bit worrying...

Going to the US embassy tomorrow for another protest here. Support our troops:bring them home. John