Walking About Playa

[maestranba]

Originally Posted by pour favor

I spy a possible Johnny Rockets on 24th and 5th Ave. ?

I think that's Donato's building (from Pummarola). Is there a gym upstairs and a Soho next to it?

[pour favor]

Originally Posted by maestranba

I think that's Donato's building (from Pummarola). Is there a gym upstairs and a Soho next to it?

That's the one. Playa will likely have 2 Johnny Rockets but to me it's better than having 4 Starbucks in Playa.

[Libby]

Originally Posted by pour favor

That's the one. Playa will likely have 2 Johnny Rockets but to me it's better than having 4 Starbucks in Playa.

Turns out that what looked like it was going to be another Johnny Rockets is actually an American style diner called Cry Baby. It wasn't open for business yet when I last walked by, but it looks like they should be ready soon.

I'm working on a new Walking About Playa! Better really late than never, i guess!!

[Libby]

Read this post in blog format.

We had a carnival in Playa del Carmen recently. Our carnivals are probably much like the carnivals in your hometown. There's rides, games and prizes, uncouth carnies, and junk food galore!

Shoot 'em up game.


Bumper cars




Apparently one shooting game is not enough.


Ah! Thank goodness I can get my Jonas Brothers merch here in Playa!


Fun with inflatables.


Time for a snack. Corn on the cob with chile & lime juice. Add mayo if you please.


Pop enough balloons and you could win yourself a painted ceramic pig! Personally, I'd go for the SpongeBob SquarePants.


Papa! Papa! Por favoooooooooor!!!


Merry Go Round


Little caballero (cowboy)


If you missed this one, no worries! There's a carnival in Playa every few months.

[John]

I always found this humorous... If you shoot the target by the little boy in the yellow box, he pees a stream of water in the air.

Originally Posted by Libby

[redhairgirl1]

Great pics libby!! I missed you walking around town

[lovbuds]

We're watching air fares too ... hoping to get back down to Playa in January though. We've been missing your walks around town too Libby and happy you're back.

[DavidB]

We stopped at a Playa carnival a few years ago. The funniest thing we saw was the huge pile of used shoes for sale.

[pour favor]

Originally Posted by Libby

Turns out that what looked like it was going to be another Johnny Rockets is actually an American style diner called Cry Baby. It wasn't open for business yet when I last walked by, but it looks like they should be ready soon.

I'm working on a new Walking About Playa! Better really late than never, i guess!!

I'll eat cry baby burgers The gym upstairs is open now as well.

[Maverick69]

Originally Posted by John

I always found this humorous... If you shoot the target by the little boy in the yellow box, he pees a stream of water in the air.

Yeah, I got a kick out of that at Carnival this year.

[maestranba]

Originally Posted by pour favor

I'll eat cry baby burgers The gym upstairs is open now as well.

The question is, are they less expensive than JR burgers???

[LBelle]

Libby: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! This is the BEST thread ever!!!!!! Can somebody PLEASE make January 15th come quicker. I cannot wait to get there! Kicking myslef for staying at a stupid all-inclusive in Playacar now though. Those little boutique places in town look soooo awesome!

There's always the NEXT trip, right?

[HAWKEYE]

Libby, glad to see your back to hiking around town.
Craig.

[pour favor]

Originally Posted by maestranba

The question is, are they less expensive than JR burgers???

I figure with the rents on 5th the prices will be about the same and it's to expensive for me

[marissab]

Originally Posted by HAWKEYE

Libby, glad to see your back to hiking around town.
Craig.

me too!!!!

[Libby]

Read this post in blog format.

I wrote recently about Playa del Carmen's original zocalo or main square. Today I visited our more modern zocalo located in the center of the city bordered by Calles 8 & 10 and Avenues 15 & 20.

The official name of our zocalo is Plaza 28 de Julio (July 28th Plaza) named after the inauguration date of the municipality of Solidaridad, which includes Playa del Carmen. As far as I can tell, the zocalo was created in honor of the 10 year anniversary of the creation of Solidaridad. We recently celebrated our 15th anniversary, so this zocalo has been around for about 5 years.


The zocalo is a place to congregate. Many events, such as Carnaval concerts, Mexican Independence festivities and governmental ceremonies are held here. Smaller concerts are often held in this ampitheatre.


It is also a place to meet with a friend or take a break.


Most Mexican zocalos are flanked by the Palacio Municipal (City Hall), and Playa's is no exception. But the modern city hall of our young city pales in comparison to the beautiful colonial structures in many older Mexican cities.


On other sides of the plaza, you'll find a couple of hotels and newly constructed condos.

Sahara Hotel


Hotel Jabines


New Condos


These stone markers denote the city names of this area.




The sign on this tree says "I am an informed guardian. I care for and respect nature."


A bust of Mexican politician, Andres Quintana Roo, for whom our state is named.


On these stone tablets in the fountain are written the official hymn of the state of Quintana Roo. The hymn tells the history of the Roo.


The chorus translates as follows.

Jungle, sea, history and youth,
free and just town under the sun,
its tenacity a virtue:
¡This is Quintana Roo!





Although the zocalo is just a little off the typical tourist beaten path, it's worth a stroll to check it out. Bring your morning coffee or perhaps lunch, park yourself on a bench, and observe daily life in Playa del Carmen.