In Mexico anything that can be done manually is. They actually trim the long grass on the sides of the roads with sythes.
Spiffing up Palenque for the upcoming Fiesta.
View from the square.
Our hotel guard has a boil covered face. Be grateful I only posted a profile shot.
I started a little game of trying to walk across the pool's steppy stones. After several rounds of beers the Brits turned it into a competition in which two contestants meet in the middle and then fight Little John/Robin Hood style. Our remarkable Kiwi won easily. He's remarkably cat-like. He also has opposable big toes,thus he can grip the steppy stones.
Catemaco to Palenque – 275 miles
Mac and I left right after breakfast. We only had 275 miles to travel but we’re in a very hot area. I wanted to get in 150 before the sun got too high. We got lucky. It was overcast and cool all morning. We stopped around 180 miles for lunch and a short kip. The last 95 miles was in extreme heat but on toll roads. Mexican toll roads are paved well and can be ridden fast. We were in the hotel pool by3:30 and tomorrow is a day off. The group is going to the Mayan ruins, but I’m not. My sciatica doesn’t allow long walks in tourist groups. I’ll go to the Mayan museum instead. Tonight, as usual, everyone ate dinner in the hotel. They do this because they’re too smart to drink and ride a motorcycle. However, one of the only known benefits of being a tea-totaler is that I can simply ride into these towns and practice my Spanish as I wander around, exploring.
Tonight’s trip was especially nice. Palenque is the cleanest, crispest town in Mexico yet. It is newish and obviously geared for the tourist. But there are very few tourists right now. The whole town's population appeared to be in the main plaza. It is an elevated, tree lined affair in the main restaurant section. I sat at an outdoor table having a delicious meal while I listened to a good steel-drum group play island music, as the older ladies danced in their colorful though matronly dresses. I’ll be back tomorrow night.
Mac and I left right after breakfast. We only had 275 miles to travel but we’re in a very hot area. I wanted to get in 150 before the sun got too high. We got lucky. It was overcast and cool all morning. We stopped around 180 miles for lunch and a short kip. The last 95 miles was in extreme heat but on toll roads. Mexican toll roads are paved well and can be ridden fast. We were in the hotel pool by3:30 and tomorrow is a day off. The group is going to the Mayan ruins, but I’m not. My sciatica doesn’t allow long walks in tourist groups. I’ll go to the Mayan museum instead. Tonight, as usual, everyone ate dinner in the hotel. They do this because they’re too smart to drink and ride a motorcycle. However, one of the only known benefits of being a tea-totaler is that I can simply ride into these towns and practice my Spanish as I wander around, exploring.
Tonight’s trip was especially nice. Palenque is the cleanest, crispest town in Mexico yet. It is newish and obviously geared for the tourist. But there are very few tourists right now. The whole town's population appeared to be in the main plaza. It is an elevated, tree lined affair in the main restaurant section. I sat at an outdoor table having a delicious meal while I listened to a good steel-drum group play island music, as the older ladies danced in their colorful though matronly dresses. I’ll be back tomorrow night.
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