Hi Ranger,
Think I've cleaned up most of the mess. The links to my photos have changed a few times and I changed again recently and thought I got all the bugs out but I guess not. Anyway if you start at page 1 it should all be there now- I just went through it. As to how this all came about, well that's a long story. Suffice it to say that at one point in my career I had worked exclusively with Mexicans all day long and grew very fond of their culture. Later my work took me in the direction of horticulture dealing with environmental remediation and ecological/plant based stormwater treatment.
During this time as I neared retirement age (55) I was taking vacations in Mexico with the idea that I would locate a place to retire where I could make it on a small income. Several trips later we spent 3 weeks in Quintana Roo- thought was, Bacalar might be the ideal spot, but when we visited we found we really weren't that crazy about that area. We really had hoped to buy land on that trip, and were disappointed. On our last few days in Playa before returning, our daughter mentioned that she had read online about Pueblo Sacbe and it seemed just like where a couple of old hippies would want to be..... so we took the tour and bought a lot the same day. Fell in love with it. That said, it is not for everyone. Without significantly more invested, than we will spend, life is rustic. No dishwasher, no AC, no blender, tv etc. We plan on having enough solar power for 12 volt fans and a few 12v electic lights. We'll cook on gas and have purchased a small gas fridge. I actually prefer the simplicity. There are bugs that bite of a number of types, possibility of running into snakes, tarantulas etc. Toxic plants like Chechen that raise a rash that looks like it was from poison ivy on steroids. But there is also a huge variety of native plants of interest, beautiful birds, caves, underground swimming holes, butterflies of every possible type and a wonderful variety of people of many nationalities who have similar values.
We've been living on our property about a month a year and building while we're there. First trip we cleared the property enough to see it and find a building site. Second trip the palapa was framed. The last trip the stone half walls, outdoor shower area, stone storage room etc were added. We've been fortunate to have made a good friend , Lynn, who is overseeing installation of doors and window screens in our shack this summer, so that when we move down (retirement) in January 2008, things will be very comfortable. They are working now on our composting toilet and water system. As for the reasons for this type of construction, you would need to go to the
Pueblo SacBe - Sustainable Community in the Mayan Riveria website to see building guidelines etc. Really quite an interesting site with lots of pictures if you are interested.
After we're there this winter, I hope to add landscaping and a wrap around porch. Glad you found it interesting, stay tuned for future progress.