Monday, October 16, 2006
My Mexico Vacation
hi
So, when I planned this trip, I had packed a million and one things into a month. And as I only have a week left, I realize I have DONE very little. I think I will have done half in three weeks of what Paul and I did in 10 days in Venezuela.But thats ok, because I have enjoyed it. ITs been awhile since I have taken some time and just chilled and not tried to jam pack my regular life or my vacation. Its been very revitalizing. Part of it has been that I have met some cool people so I kept changing plans. And now, after 5 day in San Cristobal in Chiapas, I am ready to leave. I mean to stay here one day at the most, but in trying to organize where I wanted to go into the jungle, I thought a tour would be better. But it was onlyl me, so the tour guy was like, wait a few days and maybe we can get more people. And now those days have passed and I am itching to go, and so was going to go on my own. But you know, travelling in a new place without knowing anything takes more time, so now I will go with the tour guy Alex, and one other guy, although it will end up to be really expensive. I guess partly because he will have to pay his food and lodging and stuff too. But he probably gets lodging and stuff freeish. Oh, well. But the cool thing is is that he has planned out with me how I can get back to Nica via regular buses through Guatemala. And although I have a ton of stuff, in no small part because I went crazy shopping here in Chiapas, I might do it. And then I can go to Tikal and maybe Copan, and see more ruins and birds!!!!
Veracruz conference was rad and fun. I ran into the guy, Ashley, who taught me all about banding birds, and we hung out a lot. We went dancing three times. Once to this great open air plaza in an allety, where the band performed on a raised cement staircase in front of an old colonial building. It was salsa and rumba, and all older epople, who danced the whole time, with little breakes between songs, when the women all fanned themselves. I also saw a beautiful exhibition of regional dance in the plaza one night. And another night went dancing at Mambo Cafe, which is like Salsa Disneyland with an amazing band of all HOT men, who wear tight clothers and dance and shake their butts and pretend to hump the speakers. But play rslly well too. And between sets they play reggaeton and techno and give out ballons and glow bracelets. I love it!!1 We were out till 4am and I was danced out!
I went scuba diving too. Not the best reefs, but still nice. I met a nice guy Daniel, who took me and two other people to a cool place called Lago Catemoc, and there were birds and monkeys, and we stayed at his aunts house in Alvarado, a fishing town. I ATE THE BEST SEAFOOD OF MY LIFE!!! I couyld live there just for the eats.
I stayed and hung out with those people for a few days, nothing exciting but really chill. And here in Chiapas, ALex the guide took me birding on Saturday morning and made me breakfast and we chilled. And Sunday we went rock climbing with an American friend of his josh and josh´s 7 year old daughter Kambria. More to the point, they went climbing. I tried, but man, it was HARD. And it seemed so much harder than when I tried it years ago. My hands are really weak! Even Kambria climbed for longer than me:)
Later that night I drank my firt Mezcal, which was really nice, which you drink with worm salt. Really, ground dried worms, chile, and slat, mixed together. But yummy. We were going to leave today for the jungle and Palenque, but plans changed and we go tomorrow. It will be fun, but expensive. But I think worth it because I think it would take twice as long for me to do it on my own, what with figuring everything out. And it will be pretty flexible. Really expensive, because like for three days he is charging me, but not including food or lodging or entry fees or gas. Really just pays for ALex to take me around. A little too much I think, but normally it would be that much, including everything if four people were going. But I guess I am also paying for convenience, because I could arrange it myself, but I would lose time, and maybe it would be like half the price anyway. And it will be nice to go with people, more fun and stuff. I will let you know how it goes.">Link
So, when I planned this trip, I had packed a million and one things into a month. And as I only have a week left, I realize I have DONE very little. I think I will have done half in three weeks of what Paul and I did in 10 days in Venezuela.But thats ok, because I have enjoyed it. ITs been awhile since I have taken some time and just chilled and not tried to jam pack my regular life or my vacation. Its been very revitalizing. Part of it has been that I have met some cool people so I kept changing plans. And now, after 5 day in San Cristobal in Chiapas, I am ready to leave. I mean to stay here one day at the most, but in trying to organize where I wanted to go into the jungle, I thought a tour would be better. But it was onlyl me, so the tour guy was like, wait a few days and maybe we can get more people. And now those days have passed and I am itching to go, and so was going to go on my own. But you know, travelling in a new place without knowing anything takes more time, so now I will go with the tour guy Alex, and one other guy, although it will end up to be really expensive. I guess partly because he will have to pay his food and lodging and stuff too. But he probably gets lodging and stuff freeish. Oh, well. But the cool thing is is that he has planned out with me how I can get back to Nica via regular buses through Guatemala. And although I have a ton of stuff, in no small part because I went crazy shopping here in Chiapas, I might do it. And then I can go to Tikal and maybe Copan, and see more ruins and birds!!!!
Veracruz conference was rad and fun. I ran into the guy, Ashley, who taught me all about banding birds, and we hung out a lot. We went dancing three times. Once to this great open air plaza in an allety, where the band performed on a raised cement staircase in front of an old colonial building. It was salsa and rumba, and all older epople, who danced the whole time, with little breakes between songs, when the women all fanned themselves. I also saw a beautiful exhibition of regional dance in the plaza one night. And another night went dancing at Mambo Cafe, which is like Salsa Disneyland with an amazing band of all HOT men, who wear tight clothers and dance and shake their butts and pretend to hump the speakers. But play rslly well too. And between sets they play reggaeton and techno and give out ballons and glow bracelets. I love it!!1 We were out till 4am and I was danced out!
I went scuba diving too. Not the best reefs, but still nice. I met a nice guy Daniel, who took me and two other people to a cool place called Lago Catemoc, and there were birds and monkeys, and we stayed at his aunts house in Alvarado, a fishing town. I ATE THE BEST SEAFOOD OF MY LIFE!!! I couyld live there just for the eats.
I stayed and hung out with those people for a few days, nothing exciting but really chill. And here in Chiapas, ALex the guide took me birding on Saturday morning and made me breakfast and we chilled. And Sunday we went rock climbing with an American friend of his josh and josh´s 7 year old daughter Kambria. More to the point, they went climbing. I tried, but man, it was HARD. And it seemed so much harder than when I tried it years ago. My hands are really weak! Even Kambria climbed for longer than me:)
Later that night I drank my firt Mezcal, which was really nice, which you drink with worm salt. Really, ground dried worms, chile, and slat, mixed together. But yummy. We were going to leave today for the jungle and Palenque, but plans changed and we go tomorrow. It will be fun, but expensive. But I think worth it because I think it would take twice as long for me to do it on my own, what with figuring everything out. And it will be pretty flexible. Really expensive, because like for three days he is charging me, but not including food or lodging or entry fees or gas. Really just pays for ALex to take me around. A little too much I think, but normally it would be that much, including everything if four people were going. But I guess I am also paying for convenience, because I could arrange it myself, but I would lose time, and maybe it would be like half the price anyway. And it will be nice to go with people, more fun and stuff. I will let you know how it goes.">Link
