Journey of Action: The Browns Prepare for Mexico

Ryan and Kassidy Brown, siblings from the USA, did what many of us do, when faced with the world's ills. They sat on the couch and watched documentaries, then felt a little overwhelmed by it all. With an almost obsessive need to learn more, and to feel like they were doing something, they joined various action groups. Newsletters poured through the post; e-mails collected in their inboxes. But then came the epiphany and their whole lives were about to change.



The Browns, a brother and sister duo from Nashville, Tennessee, realised that they were reading a lot about the problems. However, they were hearing very little about what people were doing, on the ground, to address these issues. They had faith in their own generation, whom they've dubbed the Millenials, as an age-group of 'doers'. So what were these twenty-somethings actually doing? The Browns decided to take a camera out on the road to find out.

Their 'Journey of Action' has already taken them through their home country, as well as Canada. They are seeking out inspirational Millenials and filming their stories. Topics include sustainable living, positive environmental working and community development. Their journey began in Alaska and will end in Argentina. They will enter Mexico at the end of the month. The Browns travel in an RV van, altered to run on vegetable oil, blogging and Tweeting as they go.






Ryan Brown (30) was a Nashville Spanish teacher; Kassidy Brown (25) has worked on Disney film sets. The siblings are both graduates of the University of Belmont. Both have degrees in Communications and Spanish. They have described their 'big idea' as:

We believe our generation, Generation Y, is aware of the social and environmental challenges we face on a local and global level, but they lack daily tools for action. At the same time, there are so many members of our generation that are making change a reality and who are changing the traditional systems of business, non-profits, and education for the better, but they receive little to no media attention. So, our mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire our generation through short form videos that highlight the culture of social activism.
Fast Company Article

They have already earned the respect of outdoor clothing company, Timberland, who have underwritten the $50,000 to fund their epic project.

Their trip through Mexico will include visits to our world-famous coffee plantations. Ryan and Kassidy wish to see how Fair Trade principles are progressing through the work of the Latino Millenial Generation.

To learn more about this remarkable couple, and their great vision, then please visit their website: Journey for Action.

Here are a couple of tasters of their work:





If you wish to see more then stop by their YouTube channel. There will be plenty of Mexican footage coming up over the next few weeks.

Travel in Cancún - Taxi!

One of the quickest, easiest, simpliest and safest ways to travel around the Hotel Zone is via taxi. The drivers know all of the main attractions around Cancún and so you may even get an impromptu commentary on the journey. You will certainly have a captive local, who is usually happy to share tips and stories.

There are universally agreed taxi fares in Cancún. Many of the hotels display them, on a board outside their doors. It is worth reading these boards and having a mental check-list of what you should be paying. Some taxi drivers aren't above overcharging, if (s)he thinks that you don't know the going rate. Ask the taxi driver the price of the fare before you get in and, though not mandatory, remember to tip him/her afterwards, if you received a good service. If you're travelling within Cancún, then a reasonable tip is 10-20 pesos ($1 USD). If you're travelling to or from the airport or one of the attractions within the city, then tip a little more. Obviously the amount you choose will depend upon the quality of the service. Don't feel beholden to tip, if you feel that the service was bad.

Incidentally, a taxi driver usually won't give you any change, so try to pay the exact amount. They do actually carry change though, so if you wish to receive some, please do press the point.

Taxis may line up at ranks, which are usually signposted with a frontal view of a taxi, in white, against a blue background. Alternatively, they can be flagged down with an upraised arm in the street.

Note that the taxi might not be exclusively your own. If there is room and another person flagging down the vehicle, then the driver will pull over and take them too. For the same reason, don't be surprised if you climb into a taxi to find someone else already sitting there; and don't feel that you can't signal for a taxi, if it is already carrying a fare. This might extend your journey slightly, if the other passenger is dropped off first. If you can't live with this, then you would be better off booking private ground transportation (see links at the bottom).

It is possible to hire a taxi for the day or part of it. For example, if you wished to travel to Chichén Itzá and stay there for 3 hours, then return to Cancún, then this could be worked out with the taxi driver. (S)he will wait at the site, so you are hiring the taxi for the entire duration. This can sometimes be cheaper and less hassle than renting a hire car; but allows you the freedom to devise your own schedule. Naturally, if you intend to do this, then you must negotiate with the taxi driver before you set off, so that there are no misunderstandings regarding costs and time. For long journeys, it is permissable to haggle the price. For short journeys, don't.

If you do not speak Spanish, then write down the address of your destination and show this to the driver. That avoids you being taken to somewhere else, because the driver misinterpreted your attempts at Spanish pronunication. However, many drivers speak perfect English and all of them will be used to driving tourists around.

Private Shuttle/Ground Transportation



The advantage of a private shuttle is that there will only be your party on it. There will be no stops between airport and hotel, unless you request one, and so the whole journey will be quick and efficient. It can save around an hour of time because of this. Most private shuttles are also air-conditioned, which is a bonus in the Cancún heat.

There will be some shuttles available for hire at the airport, but it's always a good idea to book one in advance. Many of those offering it at the airport will be timeshare representatives in disguise. You do not need to pay when you make the reservation, as that will be sorted out when the transfer takes place. However, do ask how you will recognise your driver. Most will stand at the airport entrance with your name on a card, but it is better to check in advance.

Shuttles cost between $60-$65 for a private passenger van carrying 4-7 people. This is for a roundtrip, so you will have the same van taking you back again at the end of your holiday. Some companies will ask for a portion of that during the first journey, then the remainder after you've been dropped off on the return leg. Some companies will want the entire fare paid up front. It is best to ask which is expected as you book.

Most drivers are happy to stop off en route, for example at a liquor store, if you ask them to. There will be no extra charge for this.
However, it is polite to tip your driver, particularly if they've helped with your luggage, been helpful with local information or detoured to a store for you. 20-40 pesos ($1-2 USD) is the standard rate.

Endless Tours Ground Transportation

Travel in Cancún - Fun on the Bus

The cheapest and most convenient way of travelling throughout the Hotel Zone is by taking a bus. It can also be a lot of fun. Cancún public buses are known for impromptu sing-songs, especially if someone brings a guitar along. They are also the quickest means of travel for musicians and DJs, on their way to entertain the crowds, and many seem to start early. Film sharing sites, like You Tube, are filled with shaky tourist footage of vibrant Cancún bus journeys. Happy, smiley faces abound; voices raised in song; guitars and makeshift instruments leading the way; all on a public bus.

Here's just one example, taken at night, presumably en route to or from one of the nightclubs:



The buses on the ocean side of the boulevard are heading towards downtown; those on the lagoon side are heading towards the airport. Both of them will make regular stops along the way. The rate is $6 pesos (60 US cents).

The Hoteles R1 buses go in a huge circle through the hotel zone, along Avenue Tulum and back to the bus station (crucedo). Therefore, buses run up and down Boulevard Kukalcan every few minutes. The R2 and R15 buses will go downtown, including a stop near to the local Wal-Mart.

They can only stop at the designated bus stops (parada). These are signposted along the boulevard as a blue square with a white picture of a bus on it. However, they won't necessarily stop unless you ask them to. If waiting at the stop, then stick out your hand. If sitting on the bus, then call out 'stop' or pull on the cord. Again, they can only stop at the designated bus stops.

During the day, these buses can be very crowded, so you may have to stand up. During the night, when most passengers are intoxicated and in high spirits, they can seem like a mobile party.

Major Routes

R1 - Take this route to go downtown, or to Puerto Juarez, Wal-Mart, Plaza 2000, Mercado 23 and the Cancún bus station.

R2 - Goes to Wal-Mart & Mercado 28.

Minor Routes

R15 - Goes to Wal-Mart & Mercado 28.

R27 - Goes along Tulum Ave to Plaza Las Americas where you catch the collectivo to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

There is an interactive map of the bus stops along the Hotel Zone here.

For those wishing to go further afield, then you will need to go to the bus station (crucedo) and purchase tickets. These will reserve your seat. There's no real difference between first and second class buses other than the fact that the former will reserve seats. There are also luxury buses available to go to places like Merida or even Mexico City. The longest single journey you can make on a bus is to Mexico City and takes 26 hours.

Ticket Bus has a list of all of the prices for long-distance trips via bus.