Final Post

Well it seems my trip has come to an end. I'm now across the street from the airport paying too much for the internet with 6 hours to kill. That's ok, I like airports!
I did end up getting some dental work done. Unfortunatly, I went to late and couldn't get my tooth fixed perminatly. I need a root canel, but merely got it cleaned out and temporarly filled. Which is sweet, it doesn't hurt anymore. The dental work, basically a filling, was $30. The dentist was a nice lady with a nice little shop. The drugs she perscribed me were $20. $50 total, not bad!
I took a van to Oaxaca City (cheaper and faster). Then I decided to spoil myself and take the 1st class bus to Mexico city. Only 25 seats, full reclining seats with footstools. All the movies you want in Spanish, not one in English, but all signs were in Spanish and English. Comfortable chairs. All in all, not worth it. Should have just taken 2nd class. Now I must go a pay too much for everything, 200 peso cab ride, come on. It was only 120 for a 6 hour trip to Oaxaca City. Fucking gringo tax.
I'm looking foreward to returning and seeing/talking to everybody. I'm also looking forward to getting back to work.
Later

Still Here

Yup, still in Zipolite. Well, I'm in a house now not far from the beach. I was going to go somewhere else south, but I didn't like it and came back. I got a ride there and just went back with jeep. The guy who was driving said I could just stay at his place and I've been there for 3 nights or so. It's about a $400,000 house that overlooks the ocean and a lighthouse. The pool is being filled today. The owner is a guy from west coast USA and has 30 properties, 2 in Mexico. And no, I did't have to do any special favors to stay. I did do I little work on the house to help out but not much. I also met some other Canadians who have a condo close by. I should be there in a day or two. I haven't been playing much frisbee due to lack of coach. I did, however, aquire a new one. How can you not fit a frizbee in a backpack, I said to myself, as I took it.
Spencer, my spanish still sucks. I generally ask if they speak english first, if not I start pointing and making hand gestures. Like sheraids, but when they guess I usally don't know what their saying. I can politely ask for things. Here they mostly speak english. The toughest thing so far, in Antigua, I had to buy antibiotics from a pharmacy. 5 stores untill someone spoke english.

Zipolite

I intended to stay in Zipolite for 3 days or so. 8 nights or so. What did I do? Swim, frizbee, chess, reading and eating. That sums up my time there. Ok, gotta go.

Hola

Well it s been awhile hasn t it. I got caught up with all the fun in San Cristo during Semana Santa (easter). Hoards of people go to San Cristo during this holy week, as it turns out. More venders, mostly of food. The food was basic to the area, but man to they make a good hotdog. The vender says stuff for awile and you smile and nod then for 10 pesos, you get a regular hot dog loaded with fillings and hot sause. There was a parade with scantally clad woman dancing, and a fair. Oh yes! Surprisingly, it was pretty much what I m used to back home, but in Mexico. In Mexico, they serve you beer. Bumper cars were awesome, though I felt a bit of a target, hit the gringos! As you enter the fair you find out where the t.v. sales man came from. Their selling blankets, like the guy at the auction, selling, never taking a breath, unfoldding and refolding, throughing them back and forth with the conspiror who ties them up and hands them to people as the pay, never knowing how they knew that the peolpe wanted blankets in the first place.
There was a bull fighting event, I didn t go cause we got there late. Other than that I did some shopping and now I m in Zipolite on the beach. Doing nothing. Maybe something tomorrow but no promisses. After this beach, another one. God help me!

Tullum

So I finally got to taste the ocean. The water is better than amazing. Here I have 3 other travelling companions, we´ve been moving around together for about 3 weeks now, barring El Mirador. So, we stayed in town for a few days eating the free breakfast (you have to cook it yourself, but there´s coffee, eggs, toast and pancake mix) and taking the free bus to the beach. 2 days ago the four of us got a cabana with an unobstructed ocean view. We came back for more supplies. I am actually avoiding the sun now. I´m on the verge of burn almost all the time now. That´s about it. Just been chillin on the beach. Oh yeah we went to Cancun for a day, the girls had to pick up something from fedex so I went alone for the ride and to check it out. Clearly spring break is not there, and it sucked. The resort beaches were small and dirty aswell as the number and size of the resorts ruined the view. I wish to never return there. Ok, well, time to get some beer to bring to the beach.

El Mirador

130km in six days through the jungle! Machete swinging, fighting off Jaguars and playing with monkeys. We ate Tucans and snakes and played drinking games with scorpians.
That would have been cooler.
It was actually a pretty easy trail, because it really was a trail. At the begining it was wide enough for a car to pass. The more remote the smaller it got. Pretty level, we just had to hike for long periods of time. 2 days were eight hours and the rest were four to six.
We started at the end of the road, a small town called Carmalita. Dust and old, never before had I seen a porta potty turned into a shower. We took off from there, grateful to get out of the uncomfortable shuttle on the horrible road, headed for Tital (or something close to that spelling) the first of five ruins to be vistited. It took about 6 hours at a medium pace. My leg behind my knee cramped at the end, still fun though. Almost all the ruins on the trip wew still covered, we simply climbed the steps, simple peices of wood held in place with two stakes. When it got really steep at the top they put a rope, not always fasten to something trustworthy. The view from all were breathtaking. Jungle as far as the eye could see. After a marvolous senset, the jungle seemed to come alive. We were told though it was mainly a form of jungle chicken and possible monkeys (not howler). Never the less it was kick ass. As we stayed on the ruin, becoming a buffet for the insects, the stars slowly appeared. Not a single tree or trace of light to hamper the view.
More walking. Get in the zone and go. This is a long one, around 35km. Not much wildlife to see. You have to focus on not tripping up too much. We did see some nice birds though. We had a guide, a cook, and a muler to look after the mules who carried sustanace. On day two the cook was suppost to meet us with lunch ready. He didn´t show. Hunger took over and we ate the weakest hiker! Then the muler came up and we ate some watermelon and oranges for dessert. The guide and muler then realized that the cook could be lost, it was only his third trip after all. He showed up in time to cook us supper and blamed a lazy mule for his troubles. Flustered, he smoked a joint and comenced cooking while we set up the hammoks. We had arrived at El Mirador, said to be the first of the great Mayan cities. We had a day to check out the ruins there and have a nap. Alex the cook made an amazing vegetable soup for lunch. There were a couple of cool attractions there, my favorite was the Jaguar Temple. Said to be for the great ruler named Jaguar claws, or something like that. Also a cool stone carving was uncovered not to long ago, still perfect. It decorated the street, something nice for people to look at or a demonstration of power, either was it was nice.
Now it was time for the easy hike to Nakbe. The path leading to city, when close, actually made you feel like you close, approaching something spectacular. This made it easier for me to try and walk in with my minds eye over 2000 years behind, trying to see it in all it´s splender. We climed two temples and went another hour to a bog, where we could get water fot the mules. The bog was quite nice. It had sticks layed down on something and the reeds or whatever was growing in it were flatened so you walk on the water. The they cleared a hole so you could fill up jugs, The ruler they put in said it was three feet deep. No toilet here, watch out for snakes when your doing the duty. It rained that night, some thunder and lightning. The guide set my hammok up in the kitchen. I had the best spot that night. We want to sleep outside. Stupid rain.
Sadly there was a casualty at Nakbe. Left behind, but not forgoten. My gold rimed sun glasses. I now have new ones, but they are a sorry excuse for sun glasses, compared to the beloved gold rims. I´m happy that a man of the jungle will find them. I just hope he treats them right and gives them a nice spot to rest at night.
Another long day of hiking. I was at about 95% and feeling good. Often making the pace or speeding away for some solitude. The destination was La Florida. This camp was pimped. Thatched roof over a struture that can accomidate around 10 hammoks. Nice Kitchen set up, complete with shelves and enough seats for all. Next year all the camps will have that and admission will be charged. Lucky us, I liked the make shift set up. simple strutures with tarps pulled over.
We made it back to Carmalita easily and enjoyed a beer. A cold drink was nice even though the weather was nice to us pretty much the whole time. Not to hot.
Now I´m in Tulum, Mexico and went swiming in the ocean for the first time on my trip. It was nice but no sun. Now I´m hungery.

Change of Plans

Ok, change of plans. Instead of going to Belize I'm going to go on a 6 day hike to a ruin called El Mirador. Said to be the first and most impressive Mayan site. El Tigre (close enough) is said to be 78 meters high. We set off at six am tomorrow to walk all day in the blistering heat. The trip includes all food and water, plus someone to cook. Donkeys carry the gear, all I carry is a daypack with personal belongings. My big pack is stored in town as part off the deal. Then I'm going to skip Honduras and Nicaragua because I don't feel I gave Mexico a fair shake. So then I'm going to go to the Caribbean to to finally taste the salt water.
Cheers!

Flores

Yes, Mike J, I would love a lava proff canoe. I thing it can be done. I threw a stick an the lava and it didn t burn, it just chilled. By the way the other picture was from Lago de Atitlan. The top of San Pedro Volan. Still the most beautiful place I ve ever been to. I m now in Flores and saw the Tikal ruins today. It was pretty cool but way to expensive. The best part is: the construted the temples so that when you clap in certain spots it literaly makes a bird noise in the echo. Clever. Also they are alined to the stars and all that fancy stuff. Since I m up here I m going to go through Belize to get to Honduras, there is a waterfall there I d like to see. 43 meter drop they say. Today is ridiculously hot in the rainforest. When we got back from Tikal I had the best swim I think I ever had. The water was also warm so we had to seek out cold spots. I m not complaning. Can t do pics on this computer, oh well.
Later.

Pacaya

That´s right. Can you see how close I am to lava! If not look a bit harder. If you assume that it´s hot there your right. But the amazing thing is, one step close is a difference of maybe 100 degees. It hurts. I jabbed at it with a stick tring to get some out to lite a smoke on, but holding a 4ft stick at full arms lenth is painful. We aren´t that far up. at the top it´s constantly erupting. Boom and all. The weather wasn´t the greatest so that view was hindered but I think I got some good shots of it. Also, apparently about 4 years ago it had a sizeable eruption that came vary close to people a too close for comfort to the town. By the way the lava was crazy thick and it´s close to Antigua. I´m at El Retrio and Lanquin now. The spelling is close so I think you can find it on a map or something. They have a website. I´m getting pressure off because those pics took forever to download. Next time I´m find a good internet cafe I´ll pay and others can´t say I´m on to long.
Later.

Now Leaving San Pedro

It s been good times here in San Pedro. I took a week of spanish classes here. I really ejoyed them. It was 4 hours a day, one on one. I learned a lot but I will be studying my notes for awhile before I considered doing another week somewhere else. On tuesdy there was a soccer game, students against teachers. Surprisingly, we kicked ass. The soccer field was cool. It was in a compound with walls on 3 sides of the field and fence on the other. The walls helped me alot. Really easy to play the wall, and they just kinda bounce off of you. It was alot of fun. I also climbed San Pedro volcano. That was an intence hike. 2 and a half hours. The incline increased just under half way. It got to the point when I wondered if was ever going to end. It was all worth it when I reached the top. Sitting on rocks on the top, in between two layers of clouds, the view slowly unvailed itself. It was amazing. Yesterday, we climbed the nose of the Indian face. It kind of looks like an Indian face looking up, with huge eye sockets. It turned out to be more of an adventure then antisapated. First the collectivo driver brought us to the wrong place then demanded his money. The we caugh another one, which was much more fun. This collectivo was simple a small pick-up truck with a handrail at chest height and built up sides. This guy droped us off somewhere weird but close enough and we started to make our way up. This was not a tourist trail. It was suppost to take a half hour, we doubled that. The trail we found was hardly a trail, and at some points definatly wasn t. It was way more fun then the suggested route. Then we collectivoed back to town in time to see half of the 3rd period and Crosby s winning goal. I m quite happy we won. I also kayaked across the lake to the jumping rocks. It took awhile because I was also making sure Issac, from the Danforth, didn t get hit by a boat. He swam across probably the narrowist point and it took him an hour and fifty minutes. I got sunburn on my feet and I still don t like it. I also went to Chichi. I m not even going to try and spell the whole thing,
it s on the north side on the lake not actually on the lake. It s suppost to be the biggest market in central america. I wasn t that impressed but it was good. I bought some stuff. The ride was awesome. It case you are not aware. Lago de Atitlan was made by a huge volcano that errupted and emploded on itself, reaching 1000 feet deep in someplaces. Around the is all mountains and I think two volcanos. So, everywhere you look is beautiful, especaily when you on the lake, though I didn t bring the camera because tipping on my kayak was a really threat. I didn t tip.
It s time for a breakfast burrito and book my shuttle to Antigua. Sorry about the delay. Time flys when your haveing fun.

San Padro

Well the border crossing was interesting. There isn t a bus that goes directly to the border, so we had to take a cab, not far the rest of the way. Thankfully I met some girls from Quebec on the bus ride from San Cristo, one of which spoke spanish. I just kind of followed. When we got there (the border town starts with a M) finding a bank mashine was not easy. I tried taking money out but after I did all the beeping no money came out. So far nothing has come through the bank so hopefully I won t have any issues. From the border 6 of us took a collectivo (15 passenger van) 5 hours to Antigua de Lago (lake Antigua) central south of Guatamala. Then it was a boat ride in the rain and choppy waters to San Padro (south side of the lake). The stairs leading up to town was at this point a waterfall and the streets streams. Through the rain some guy took us to Yo Mama, the hostal I m at. It hase a pool table. One corner is lower then the others, good to know. I brough a beer with me from San Cristo, and when I poped the top it opened with force of an 11 hour travel and hit me dead center of the forehead. I now have a semi-circle cut on my forehead complete with waves of the bottom of the cap. Needless to say, laughter insuided. I should have seen that coming, but I didn t. The cap actually hit the ceiling after my head. Great. I hope it doesn t scar. Also, I met a guy from my area, also a regular at the Detroit eatery. Tomorrow I start spanish lessons. 90us for 5 days, 4 hours a day, one on one. Also they offer salsa, and other things in the evening included. Oh, my hostal is about 3us a night. I ll work on picure taking, no more letting Lindsey do all the work. P.S. it s a nice 23 degrees today. How s the weather there?

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Since my last post I have spent 2 nights in San Cristòbal de Las Casas and 3 in El Panchen, just outside of Palenque. Then another night, and tonight back in San Cristo, leaving in the morning for San Padre in Guatamala.
Allow me to start at the top.
In San Cristo we stayed at Casa Babylon. By far the best hostal to date. Nice rooms an lots of space. Last sunday we were here we participated the weekly event of going to the cantina. This means that we went to a place where Dustin, Lindsey and myself were the only white people there. 0 The food came so fast, we had to keep pace. many different food that I had no idea what they were. In them were shrimp, chicken, beef and others. Ordering a beer meant two. Total cost...50 pesos. Then there was Palenque. Beautiful and all that but, the only difference in ruins is the setting. We got an awesome place in El Panchen on a second floor with a balcony. 25o a night for all three. The rainforest lived up to it s name with a full day of rain. Otherwise it was great. Now back in San Cristo, I m being rushed to finish so I can join the fiesta of the 8th year of Casa Babylon, complete with food for 60 pesos. So next time you read from me I ll in San Padro Learning Spanish. For those wanting to see pictures go to Lindseys blog. They are gone now so I ll have to figure out how to do the pictures.
Enjoy your weather!

Greetings from Oaxaca

Well, 8 hours on the road through the ran and flooded roads, we arrived in Oaxaca around 7 two days ago. We had one day in Mexico City of weaving through cars and going into a mall where security carries fully automatic weapons. So much police and military. I´m now used to seeing AK-47 while walking on the steet, even here in Oaxaca. Oaxaca is amazing. Iǘe spent most of my time in the Zocalo (the park at the city center, every city has one) eating awesome food with live music. Last night we check out the night life (5 of us for anyone worried about night travel) and found a live band. Amazing, best female bass player I´ve seen. They played some english songs but they were much better when they sang in spanish. And...we ordered a case of beer (20) and a packet of cigs for 420 pesos and they opened our bottles for us. Our friend from France got hit on by a guy. It was funny. We are in Mezkalito Hosal which is winning as the nicest of two. It´s more like a hotel. I´m sitting beside the sunny terrace. Life is tough here, some how I´ll make it through. Were not spending much time here this time. South quick the travel back north slowly. Tonight we have an 11 hour ride toSan Cristobal de las Casas. Jungle time!
For more frequent updates check out Lindsey blog at lindseyinmexico2010.blogspot.com
P.S. Thanks for your comments. The style will remain freestyle and I have yet to check what I´ve written, and will continue that trend.

Mexico City

Hola. I´ve safely arrived in Mexico City. The differences between Mexico City and Toronto are not subtle. For instance, the cab ride to the hostal. It turns out that driving is more like a race here. Lanes are simply suggestions. The driver turned right from the left of the road completely cutting of traffic. People weave through the cars. Many of the streets are blocked of but traffic still goes through so you have to watch your back. Were right downtown across the street from the national musem. The hostel is called Hostal Moneda. On the street hundreds of people just lay their good on the sidewalk a scream, some with megaphones, for you to buy. 7 eleven is every two blocks or so. I could use all my cameras memory space on the old buildings. I am writing this from the roof top bar at the hostal where last night they gave too many shots of tequela. We already met some other people, two girls each traveling solo. This is going to be an amazing trip. Today we go to the pyramid of which I will not attempt to spell.
Hasta Luego! (See you soon\later)