It has been an amazing 3 month journey through this beautiful country.
I’ll miss the friendly smiling faces, the simple fresh food and spices. The magical Yucatan and Mayan cultures. I will miss the creative energy. The music, art, street markets with home made crafts and home grown vegetables. I will miss the warm sunny mornings with fresh coffee and pan dulce, crisp mountain air, warm water and sandy beaches. I will miss sipping tequila watching countless sunsets.
Things I will not miss: all night Mariachi Bands, dusk to dawn barking dogs, roosters, stomach bugs and…..
Its been a crazy few weeks. I was sick for a about 10 days, plus another 6 days of no sleep from the meds. Was about ready to fly home but was still 2 days away from a major airport. The plan was to bus up the West coast from Escondido thru Acapulco and Colima. The State Dept issued a travel advisory to avoid. Kidnapping and armed robbery are rampant and we are unable to assist US citizens.
So I Took an aeroplane to Mexico City and on to Mazataln.
I was ready to go home. Sick, road weary and not eating much was taking away my health and energy.
Then I booked a sweet apartment ,3rd floor, overlooking the city. Most comfortable room in nearly 3 months.
So what do I do?. Reserve another 10 days here. Flying home on Feb 7 after 85 days on an unforgettable adventure.
I’m sure it is more than altitude sickness that I’ve been dealing with. Its been a full week and still feeling like hell. Its most likely a bacterial or parasitic infection. My guess its from brushing my teeth with tap water.
Walked in to a consulting pharmacist office for a $2 exam. Got Rx for an antibiotic and anti parasitic for $10. Must be nice to have affordable healthcare.
It hit me hard on day 3 in this beautiful mountainous city. Dizzy, nausea, short of breath. I’m not that out of shape as I huff and puff up the short hill to my room. Cant sleep, my body creating its own sewage system. Its cold, 40 some degrees, no heat, wrapped in a blanket.
Today is a travel day. I can barely move. Walking through the busy market to the pharmicia, thought I would pass out. Picked up some Advil, Pepto, and Pedialyte.
The hotel let me check out late for the 9pm overnight bus. We quickly dropped to about 2500 ft and the feeling of oxygen to my brain brought some relief. The 10 hour bus ride to sea level, with another sleepless night was rough. Arivving at 5am with a 3pm check-in was not a good plan. The manager was sympathetic and agreed to have a room ready upon arrival. Conviently located a few blocks from the bus station.
A nice secure building
Things like house numbers and directions are vague here. Several times they will send a street name and photo.
Ring the bell by the door on the left. Stand at the X. My daughter Myrna on the top floor will let you in. That would be the prison door on the right.
The room was small but comfortable. I slept most of the day. Fortunately there was a convenience store across the street. I haven’t eaten in 2 days. Stocked up on more fluids and Ritz crackers I slept another day.
Day 3 and I’m feeling much better. Oxygen is being restored to my bloodstream. Weak and exhausted, my body retaining fluids. I set out to explore the city of Salias Cruz.
Its 25 degrees warmer here. Warmth and some exercise feels good. This a dark and desperate city. Crumbling buildings along the main boulevard. No restaurants, just street vendors with plastic chairs and tables.
I walk towards the Malecon hoping to find a restaurant. There is a bar with old timers shucking oysters and day drinking. A mountain of shells in the hot sun. Not what I had in mind.
The port was abandoned, no ships, no containers. High concrete walls topped with razor wire line both sides of the street. Looks like a prison. Several people in the shade drinking Modelo and looking sketchy. Ya, good time to turn around and find my way back.
Safely back at my room and a light lunch I check out and take a pleasant daytime bus through the desert to Puerto Escondido.
I have sucessfully traversed southern Mexico from Cancun in the Caribbean Yucatan to the Pacific Ocean. Only 25 days of travel left.
Land of murals and Grafitti art. Elevation 2147 meters, 7042 ft. The high elevations bring out the art and colorful side of society. It draws a lot of alt people, musicians, Euro- hippies with their dogs, street vendors, local craftsmen selling vivid textiles. World class coffee and baked goods. A truly beautiful and gem of a city.
Stringtie 