Trip Report: Mexico and Xoc-Ha

[rblackburn]

sometimes you have to prioritize your budget... guides or tacos/corona? new regulators or new underwear. choices people....

That's where I was going with the comment. You had to prioritize new gear over guide. I like your style

[rddvet]

Out of curiosity, what does Xoc-Ha mean in Mayan. I think Ha is water but may be getting that confused with something else.

[vinegarbiscuit]

Out of curiosity, what does Xoc-Ha mean in Mayan. I think Ha is water but may be getting that confused with something else.

Originally, my husband and I named our compound XOC-Ha because it draws on the imagery of one of the most joyous tarot cards: the Ten of Cups ( X of Cups). It represents almost an idyllic state of peace, harmony and love, where all your dreams and wishes have come true and you are delighting in your good fortune. We're not really into divination, but it seemed pretty darn apt. We abbreviated it to "XOC", because it sounded somewhat Mayan. "Ha" is indeed the Mayan word for water, so put the words "XOC-Ha" together, and you have the somewhat silly story behind our name.

A few days ago, though, we learned from our handyman - a native Mayan speaker from a village near Coba - that "xoc" means, "to count." So "xoc ha" means "counting water." We had absolutely no idea, but that only adds to the story!

[Dominick Gheesling]

Great report!!! Thank you. And thank you for all of the info on how to travel with cave gear!!!

[Dominick Gheesling]

Also, I hope you don't mind if I leave this announcement here.

Tickets are still available!!!



Get Tickets Here:

https://nsscds.org/shop/raffle-7-nig...son-at-xoc-ha/

[IowaCaveDiver]

Btw... I forgot to add that we were taxed for the sorb at customs in Mexico. They based the 16% tax on the price I told them we paid for the sorb... so about $15...not the end menthe world, but Marissa just informed me I should have argued a bit and explained it was for "personal consumption" and should not be taxed. I'll try that next time.

[Nitrogenius]

Btw... I forgot to add that we were taxed for the sorb at customs in Mexico. They based the 16% tax on the price I told them we paid for the sorb... so about $15...not the end menthe world, but Marissa just informed me I should have argued a bit and explained it was for "personal consumption" and should not be taxed. I'll try that next time.

It‘s always a gamble with customs if you are not a pure rec diver with standard rec scuba gear, but bringing in ‚advanced‘ gear.. Had to pay customs for my DPV once.. All arguing that it was for personal use did not help.
What I learned though, that apart from your personal gear (which should be free - with my DPV they argued it was ‚professional‘ gear and hence had to be taxed) you have an allowance of USD 500 on ANY items (so also for stuff you declare to saty there), this is the route you could have argued with the sorb as well.. they should not have taxed you for 100 USD value..

when I payed for my DPV I got such a hing.. in fact I called the value for the DPV to be 1000 bucks, so they taxed me on 500 USD value which was ‚over‘ the allowance..
In the end it is though.. they call a price you got to pay..
some little rip offs simply happen..
I also had once to pay a 80 USD ticket for allegedly parking on a bike lane (the was none and a ton of cars were parked like mine).. go figure there was only one ticket for the car with the rental plate, which was mine.. all local plates were ‚exempt‘
oh and btw the 80 bucks was because I payed within 5 days and waving to challange the fine.. otherwise the value to fight about would have been 160 bucks!!! which seems outrageous if you take it into perspective of local wages..

[joe k]

Well done, thanks! Roger & Nelly (& their property) are fantastic!