Foodie Paradise Palace Resorts Isla Mujeres

Welcome Drink Palace Resorts Isla Mujeres Mexico

Executive Chef Ubaldo Palace Resorts  Isla Mujeres

Calamari Palace Resorts Isla Mujeres Mexico

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La Isla Mall

La Isla Mall View of Restaurants

Chocolate City Candy

Chocolate City Restaurant 

Chocolate City Solider and Cowboy

Dani with Chocolate City Solider

Gondola Boat in front of Italiannis

La Isla Shopping Mall

La Isla Mall View

La Isla Mall at Dusk

There are days in Cancun when the weather is inclement. The first four days of our trip to Cancun the weather was cloudy, cool and windy creating chopping, high waves. We were not able to go on our boat tour and snorkeling to Isla Mujeres. A friend recommended that we go to the shopping mall. These are photos from our walking tour of  "Little Italy" themed mall in Cancun. It was such an unexpected pleasure to visit this beautiful shopping mall in the Cancun Hotel Zone.



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"A Not So Reality TV Star"

Dani and Janice in Cancun, Mexcio

There was a posting on facebook for a Reality TV show for the Travel Channel new TV series. We decided to apply and were chosen as finalists. They were casting to take over a tourist's vacation and upgrade it. We chose the March 3 date because it is Dani's birthday, so we decided to celebrate Dani's  birthday in Cancun whether we were selected or not for the TV series.

Danielle and New Friends in Cancun, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico was a last minute vacation getaway to grab fifteen minutes of fame on the Travel Channel. We were walking around Cancun's Mercado 28 and saw the filming of the show host on a motor scooter. We were interviewed along with about 8 other families for the chance to have fabulous vacation upgrade and appear on the Travel Channel. Unfortunately, we were not chosen to appear on the Travel Channel new TV series. We had a great time celebrating Dan's birthday in Cancun.





Have you ever been on a reality TV show?



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Video of the Day: Isla Mujeres Boat Trip - AquaWorld Cancun

AquaWorld Boat Crew

Isla Mujeres Daytrip Tour

AquaWorld Cancun

Kukulkan Blvd. Kukulkan, kilometer 15.2 Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

01 877 443 2188

011 52 998 8488327

www.aquaworld.com.mx 

http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/cancun-Isla-Mujeres-Mexico.html

http://www.facebook.com/aquaworld

http://twitter.com/AquaworldCancun

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150807-d153998-Reviews-Aquaworl...

• Toll-free from the USA & Canada: 1-877-730-4054

• Or from the USA & Canada: 011-52-998-8488327

• From Europe and the rest of the world: 00-52-998-8488327

• From within Cancun: 8488327

• Dialing from the Riviera Maya & Cozumel: 01 98 848 8327


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Video of the Day: Meeting of Two Worlds Xcaret Mexico Espectacular

Xcaret Mexico Espectacular

This part of the Ancient History Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show represents the blending of two cultures. The arrival of the Spaniards, the struggle of the Pueblo Indians, Evangelism of Christianity, the mixing of the two genres of music; singing and history brings us today to the proud, rich tradition of a Mestizo People.

Have you heard the history of Mexico as told by the Mexican people?



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Xcaret Mexico Passport

Xcaret "Inlet of Dreams"

In 1985 an architect by the name of Miguel Quintana Pali who had fallen in love with the sun and sea here, wanted to build the house of his dreams in this wonderful place. He realized that the beauty of this place, the caves and the underground rivers should not be reserved for a privileged few. He decided to build a natural park open to everyone. His three brothers Oscar, Marcos and Carlos Constandse joined Miguel in transforming the ancient port of Pole into what we now know as Xcaret.

Xcaret Park Tour Guide

The Xcaret Mexico Creed

"I believe in Mexico, the land of the sun, and in the vibrant turquoise of her seas; I believe in the Mayan World and in the age-old enigma of its sacred cities.

I believe in the whisper of the underground rivers, in the delicate balance of the coral reef and in the mystery enshrined in the nesting ritual  of sea turtles on the white sands of Quintana Roo's beaches.

I believe in the innocent grace of the manatee, in the healing nectar of the bees and in the perennial miracle of the caterpillars that transform into butterflies.

I believe in the magic of flowers which open the door to the soul, in their subtle perfumes and changing multicolored beauty.

I believe in the here and the now, in a world in harmony with the song of the dolphins and the colorful flight of the macaws.

I believe in the certainty that life must be one with nature.

I believe that there exists a paradise on earth with a name that evokes all that we have been, that we are, and that we desire to be: Xcaret.

I believe in the fullness of life.

I believe in Xcaret."

Waiter Wearing Traditional Mexican Costume

 "Paradise on a Peninsula"

The tropical breeze of the beautiful Caribbean Sea blow at Xcaret. Xcaret is the name of paradise in a magical peninsula in the of southwest of Mexico named Quitana Roo state.

Mexican Buffet

Chicken with Green Mole Sauce and Chicken Wings

Cenote Chapel

Cenote Altar

 Xcaret "Paradise in the Land of Cenotes"

The ancient Maya believed the cenotes were gateways to the Underworld. Cenotes are more like rivers because of the subterranean currents that circulate the water.

In the Yucatan Peninsula that have been recorded over 2,500 cenotes out of an estimated total of 6000.

Cenote Water Mirror

"Cenotes, or dzonot Maya, are caverns with pools of fresh water, which formed millions of years ago. When the Peninsula was lifted up out of the sea, it brought with it the limestone structure of the sea bed, creating a very loose surface that filters water." When it rains the ground absorbs the water like a sponge filtering the water. Over the years the rock dissolves and forms caves that flood, making pools of water which are cenotes.

Cenote under stairs

Xcaret has cenotes, underground rivers caverns and caves.Some people attribute cenotes to the Chixchulub meteorite. These geological formations are so uncommon. "Xcaret is a catalogue of the Yucatan Peninsula's exotic beauties."

Owl Butterfly

"The bearer declares that he/she is a lover of the turquoise sea that bathes Xcaret, and promises that he/she will smell the flowers, care for the water, and understand the song of the birds and the smile of the dolphins. Please provide the bearer with any help necessary, since he/she is traveling under the spellbinding influence of the light and color of Mexico's sacred paradise: Xcaret."

Are you ready to get your passport to Xcaret Mexico?



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How to Catch a Taxi from the airport to Cancun Hotel Zone

Janice eating Shrimp tacos during Taxi Stop

We are arrived at the Cancun International Airport without prepaid transfers to the Cancun Hotel Zone. This was a big mistake we soon learned that taxis charged $65 USD dollars one way for a cab ride from the airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone.  Before our trip, I researched the cost of a taxi ride from the airport to Cancun it was stated as $40 one way. We were surprised at the difference in the cab fare from the price quoted on the internet.

Pleasure Principle Adult Spa Ad in back of taxi

Pleasure Principle Adult Spa Ad in back of taxi

We decided to back inside the airport to the taxi desk. There was a sign that said 50% off taxis, so I asked the woman what the cost of a taxi would be to the cancun hotel zone. She quoted us the same $65 cab fare. We decided to reenter the terminal which was another big mistake because she sent security to get us. We were exhausted from lack of proper sleep due the excitement of the trip. We could barley think straight.  So,we told the security officer that we needed a minute to pray. That's just what we did, right in the terminal. We closed our eyes and asked the Lord for guidance. The officer gave us a puzzled looked, then walked away from us.

View of Taco Stand from Taxi

Our next option was to ask for help for a timeshare salesman that we had talked to earlier. He was kind enough to quote  us a shared ride rate of $32 round-trip for two people. That was a good deal compared to a $65 taxi ride one way. We signed up for his timeshare presentation and received a free dinner to Senor Frog's. We were grateful for his assistance.

Dani at Taco Stand

During my research, I saw that the Marriott CasaMagna provided airport transfers for $14 roundtrip if prepaid when booking a room package. I regretted not booking the offer online. We could have arrived at the hotel sooner without the slow shared ride or "collective" dropping passengers off at various hotels. My thought was that the hotel vans provided free shuttles from the airport to the hotel. As a flight attendant, I am accustomed to riding on free hotel vans and airport shuttles.  This was the wrong assumption because the hotel van drivers have a list of the expected guests who have prepaid for the airport transfers. If your name is not on that list he will radio the hotel to verify your payment for airport transfers, so it is best to book online.

Come Back Soon To Cancun

The best advice that I can give about getting from the airport to the hotel zone:

1) book hotel transfers online before flight arrival

2) rent a car

3) pay for a shared ride before exiting the airport terminal building

4) pay for a taxi at the taxi transportation desk before exiting the terminal

5) negotiate the rate of the shared ride or taxi ride



What has been your experience with transportation from the airport to the hotel in another country?



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Secret Money Saving Tip for Eating Cheap in Cancun

Here's the secret and it starts with the letter W!

WALMART!

Yes, Walmart. There are four or five Walmarts in Cancun. Tourists can ride bus R27 to Walmart. It is clearly marked on the front of the bus that it goes to Walmart. You can't get lost. When you get on the bus ask they driver, if he goes to Walmart. He will verify if you are on the correct bus. He will take you to the true downtown Cancun area. This Walmart is located in a quiet, safe residential area. You will many locals and tourists shopping at Walmart. English is spoken at the store and by many locals, so not to worry about the language barrier.

Taco Sandwiches

Walmart is a great place to shop for bottled water, snacks, fruit, breakfast items, sandwiches, beer, wine and souvenirs. All the prices in the photos are listed in pesos. We made several visits to Walmart to save on our dining out budget. You can dine out once a day at nice restaurants and purchase groceries to cover breakfast and lunch. This is a perfect place to stock up  if you are staying in a condo or timeshare with a fridge. Walmart is a great place to shop if you are accustomed to certain American foods or having a difficult time adjusting to authentic Mexican Cuisine. It is a great alternative to fast food restaurants. You can load up on groceries, then catch a taxi which is waiting outside the front door to take you back to the Cancun Hotel Zone. Tazis costs about 125 pesos from Walmart to the Hotel Zone. You should discuss the price of the taxi beforehand to prevent surprises. There is a  Sam's Club next door to Walmart so take your Sam's Club card with you to Cancun, you can probably save more money with a family or large group.

Beach in Cancun

One day we went to Walmart to shop for fruit, bottled water, limes, sandwiches and salad to prepare our picnic for the beach. It was perfect to play in the ocean, relax on the beach, warm our bodies in the sun and graze on our lunch at our leisure.

What money savings tips do you use to save on dining out during vacation?



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A Little Spanglish Goes A Long Way - 10 Spanish Words You Must Know

AquaWorld Guest Services

Basic Spanish Words You Should Know Before Your Trip to Mexico.

1) Hola - Hello

2) Buenos Dias - Good Morning

3) Senor - Mr.

4) Senorita - Miss (It is a compliment to address older women as Senorita, it makes them feel younger.)

5) Por Favor - Please

6) Gracias - Thank you

7) Buenos Tardes - Good Afternoon

8) Buenos Noches - Good Night

9) de nada - your are welcome or it is nothing

10) Adios - Goodbye

Spangish is a combination of Spanish and English. It is a mixture of the two languages to describe someone's attempt at learning to speak Spanish. Do not fear your lack of ability to be able to carry on a full conversation in Spanish, locals will appreciate your attempt to say anything in Spanish. Basic common words of greetings or common courtesy words go a long way in making a pleasant memorable vacation. Even you learn and use only the word Hola or Hello, you will be received much better than if you just speak English.

One reader Ian, Baja By Bus made this comment on a previous post. ..."Secondly, please learn and be prepared to use at least a few words in Spanish. People will respond to you much better if you can at least say “hola”, “adios”, “por favor” and “gracias” when you need to. Imagine if a lost tourist came up to you in your home town and didn’t even say hello in English before asking for help. A little effort goes a long way…"

Ian, Baja By Bus

The Mexicans are very warm and friendly people. You should try saying "Hola" or Hello to everyone. It will make your vacation in Mexico more enjoyable, who knows maybe you will make a few new friends too?

Do you have any experiences to share about using "Spanglish"?




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Mexican Cuisine Designated UNESCO Intangible World Heritage

La Cocina Mexican Restaurant Buffet

Xcaret Park describes itself as a water park but it is actually closer in description to an interactive open air museum. The visitor experiences 3,000 years of living Mexican History and Culture. Most open air museums have period actors dressed in costumes to lead tours of the history of the museum. Xcaret Park prides itself on authenticity. The Mayans are verified descendants of the Mayan lineage. The Mexican cuisine is authentic as well with dishes from various states and recipes that are centuries old. La Cocina Mexican Buffet at Xcaret allows visitors to feast upon a large selection of Traditional Mexican Cuisine that includes breads made from a 500 year-old recipe. Xcaret Park has its own corn patch from which corn tortillas are made fresh every morning. Xcaret  Park is a true Eco-system with food being recycled for compost.  Xcaret Park  preserves and gives voice to the Mexican point of view of Mexico's Culture and History.

Mexican cuisine - fundamental element of cultural identity - Intangible Heritage of Humanity

Mexican Bread 500 Year Old Recipe

UNESCO states "Traditional Mexican cuisine is a comprehensive cultural model comprising farming, ritual practices, age-old skills, culinary techniques and ancestral community customs and manners. It is made possible by collective participation in the entire traditional food chain: from planting and harvesting to cooking and eating. The basis of the system is founded on corn, beans and chili; unique farming methods such as milpas (rotating swidden fields of corn and other crops) and chinampas (man-made farming islets in lake areas); cooking processes such as nixtamalization (lime-hulling maize, which increases its nutritional value); and singular utensils including grinding stones and stone mortars. Native ingredients such as varieties of tomatoes, squashes, avocados, cocoa and vanilla augment the basic staples. Mexican cuisine is elaborate and symbol-laden, with everyday tortillas and tamales, both made of corn, forming an integral part of Day of the Dead offerings. Collectives of female cooks and other practitioners devoted to raising crops and traditional cuisine are found in the State of Michoacán and across Mexico. Their knowledge and techniques express community identity, reinforce social bonds, and build stronger local, regional and national identities. Those efforts in Michoacán also underline the importance of traditional cuisine as a means of sustainable development."







Did you know that Traditional Mexican cuisine is included in the Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico maintained by the National Council for Culture and Arts?



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5 Tips for the Novice Traveler to Mexico

Yesterday, I received a call from my son in response to the article (Mexico: Chimamanda Adichie admits being guilty of “The danger of a single story”). I wrote questioning the State Department warning that Mexico is unsafe for travel. My son reminded me that I am a seasoned traveler who speaks Spanish, so I would feel comfortable traveling to Mexico. He proceeded to tell me stats of the drug cartel and deaths of Americans in Mexico. We had quite a lively debate for twenty minutes on the safety of Mexico as a country. His research stated that primarily the unsafe areas are in northern Mexico near the border towns. He defended his position and the State Dept.'s position by saying that 120 deaths of Americans is too many. I concur that death of one tourist is too many.


As flight crew members working flights to northern Mexico, security measures exist to safeguard pilots and flight attendants from being kidnapped. Airlines provide warnings to flight crew not to travel alone in certain areas of Mexico. During layovers to El Paso, Texas flight crews were warned by the airline not to cross into Juarez, Mexico a border city.

There is good reason for the warnings, especially for novice travelers. However, the State Department has modified the warning to include areas for which there are no travel advisories to Mexico.

Golf Cart on Isla Mujeres

These are a list of  12  popular tourist destinations that are safe for the novice traveler  or any traveler to Mexico.

1. Cabo San Lucas

2. Oaxaca

3. Cancun

4. Playa del Carmen

5. Riveria Maya

6. Tulum

7. Merida

8. Chichen Itza

9. Chiapas

10. Campeche

11. Mexico City

12. Tabasco

Isla Mujeres Boat Trip

Now to put on my first time traveler hat. Here are five tips for the Novice Traveler to Mexico:

1. Contact a travel agent that specializes in Mexico who can share personal experiences and make recommendations for example Apple Vacations Reps are very knowledgable.

2. Read TripAdvisor and ask questions in the forums.

3, Talk to family and friends about their trips to Mexico.

3.  Sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which a free service by the U.S. Government for U.S. citizens to register their contact information. It allows the U.S. Government to assist you in case of emergency.

4. Follow the guidelines of the Safe Trip Abroad by the U.S. State Department as well as  Tips for Traveling Abroad.

The U.S. State Dept. says, "Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day.  The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality.  Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes."

Do you have other tips to share with first time travelers to Mexico?


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Mexico: Chimamanda Adichie admits being guilty of "The danger of a single story"

Mexican Resort Pool 

Chimamanda Adichie shares her visit to Mexico a few years ago. She states there were debates about immigration. In America, immigration becomes synonymous with Mexicans. There were endless stories of Mexicans as a people who were fleecing the healthcare system, sneaking across the border, and being arrested at the border.She remembers walking on her first day in Guadalajara, Mexico  watching the people going to work, smoking, and laughing. She first felt a slight surprise, then she was overwhelmed with shame. She realized that she had been so immersed in the media coverage of Mexicans that they had become one thing in her mind. "The abject immigrant."  She had bought into the single story of Mexicans and she could not have been more ashamed of herself.

"So that is how to create a single story, to show a people as one thing, as only one thing over and over again and that is what they become" said  Chimamanda Adichie. According to her "it is impossible to talk about the single story without talking about power."

As I watched this video and listened to Chimamanda Adichie discuss her visit to Mexico I reflected upon the recent U.S. State Advisory warning on travel to Mexico. The media presents "a single story" of the entire country of Mexico as being unsafe. The media shows images of drug wars, kidnappings, robberies, and murders of tourist. Why is the media scaring the American public into believing that Mexico is unsafe? The media depicts Mexico as a poor country that all Mexicans desire to escape and live in the U.S.

As an expat who has lived in Venezuela, Argentina, Turkey, France and Belgium for six years, I have the advantage of watching and hearing news coverage in other countries as well as from other viewpoints. My language skills allow me to comprehend the news and truth in other languages. Living as an expat allowed me to see how the American media feeds the American public the same news over and over and over. Americans mistakenly believe that our news coverage is a comprehensive viewpoint of world news. It is quite to the contrary. It is the complete opposite.

When the opportunity presented itself to travel to Cancun, I considered the U.S. State Department warning on advising against travel to Mexico. I decided that if the Travel Channel is still filming a TV series in Cancun it must be safe. Besides I had met travel agents last year on one of my flights who told me how safe Mexico is as a tourist destination. The travel agents were not buying into the "single story" that Mexico is unsafe.

The facts on Mexico Tourism:

1) Tourism represents 3rd largest portion of Mexico's Gross Domestic Product

2) Mexico ranked 10th globally in international visitor arrivals

3) Mexico is the only Latin American destination in the top 10 for international visitiors

4) 2nd after U.S. in top visitor arrivals in Western Hemisphere





The truth is Americans love to travel to Mexico. Follow the Mexico Taxi Project to find out the reasons Americans love Mexico.

Why is the American Media intent on destroying the Tourism to Mexico with the lies that it is an unsafe country?



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Photos of the Day: Isla Mujeres Beach & Town

Lighthouse on Isla Mujeres

Motorcycle on Isla Mujeres

Beach Massage Cabanas on Isla Mujeres

Turtle Farm Isla Mujeres

Have you enjoyed the beaches of Isla Mujeres?



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Video of the Day: Mexican Coffee Recipe Demo at Club Solaris Resort

Mexican Coffee Demo

Have you ever tasted Mexican Coffee?



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Isla Mujeres Day Trip AquaWorld Cancun- Visit to Turtle Farm

Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm

Turtle Farm 

Turtle Farm Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm

Our Isla Mujeres Day Trip included renting a golf cart for 350 pesos and driving it to the Turtle Farm. The admission to the Turtle Farm is about $3 US. Dani loves turtles. The Turtle Farm is not just for children. It actually has more creatures than turtles. There is a guide that gives an interactive presentation about all the sea creatures. There is an indoor aquarium area and outdoor pools filled with turtles. I wish we could have spent more time playing with the sea creatures.


Isla Mujeres offers swimming with the dolphins as well, but we ran out of time. So that is on our to do list for the next visit.




Have you visited the Turtle Farm at Isla Mujeres?


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Photo of the Day: Isla Mujeres Golf Cart

Isla Mujeres Golf Cart

Have you ever drove a golf cart on Isla Mujeres?


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Island of Women - Isla Mujeres Boat Trip with AquaWorld Cancun

AquaWorld Boat Cruise

AquaWorld Cancun is located across the road from Marriott CasaMagna Hotel. When we first arrived in Cancun the weather was not the best. There was a cold front, so the weather was a cold 70 degrees. Believe that is cold for Cancun. Locals were wearing jackets. Although the 70 degree temperatures felt good to us, the wind and rain hampered our beach activities. The first three days of our vacation in Cancun was so cloudy we began to wonder what happened to the Sun in Sunny Cancun. However, the weather finally broke on the fourth day of our trip, so we rearranged our  AquaWorld Tour to Isla Mujeres Boat Cruise.  We were ready to experience snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea as the waves had calmed down a bit for us to attempt swimming in the sea.

This was a fitting tour for  two women headed to the Island of Women during March the month of the Women's History in the U.S.A.

Why do women have an island named after them, I wondered as we sailed aboard the wildest boat trip ever? Our boat crew shared the story of the naming of the Island Women. The Mayan goddess of fertility Ixchel's sanctuary was on this 5 mile long island. The Spanish landed in 1517 to discover many women shaped idols. This is how the island got its name Isla Mujeres or the Island of Women. After that, fishermen and pirates left their women folk on Isla Mujueres for safekeeping while they sailed the high seas.

Check out the photo gallery of highlights from out Isla Mujeres Boat Trip hosted by AquaWorld Cancun.

AquaWorld Cancun

AquaWorld Boat Crew

AquaWorld Boat Cruise View

Isla Mujeres Day Trip Includes:

• Fast boat ride from Aquaworld Cancun to Isla Mujeres


• Optional Snorkel Tour – snorkel tube is yours to keep!


• Unlimited beverages


• All snorkel equipment including life vest


• Delicious buffet lunch


• Optional Island shopping tour


• Entertainment


• Natural aquarium and swimming with Pepe the friendly shark

If you can't tell by the photos, we had a blast on the Island of Women - Isla de Mujeres. The pristine white sandy beach and the turquoise  sea is amazingly beautiful. We soaked up the rays of sun, splashed in the warm salty sea, lounged in the hammocks, gorged on unlimited alcoholic drinks and a Mexican buffet lunch.

What are thoughts about Isla Mujeres or the Island of Women?


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