Translation of mähen

One of the most difficult problems I have (and I am sure that others have it too) is getting used to the superficiality of the life in the US. To be superficial means to me not to be able to recognize.
Other tourists needed to check out first before others could check in. I wanted to see the ruins on the same day and booked a tour in this little jungle settlement and waited for the tour guide.
We arrived at the next hotel, which was only two blocks away, again deciding from the outside, that we would not sleep there. I questioned the short ride, because on the map the two places were far apart.