Revolutionaries and Swine Flu, Oh My!

We are in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

As for the Zapatistas we have seen lots of dolls, postcards, posters etc. But the checkpoints we passed through are easy because of the California plates and our light skin. The first they looked in, asked our nationality, and waved us on; the second they just waved us through.

As for Swine Flu there are a few people wearing masks, maybe one out of every 10. It seems people are excited the shutdown is over. We got into San Cristobal yesterday after an 8 hour drive from Xela. Thanks to the change to daylight savings and our having left early since everyone in the hostel in Xela was up at the crack of dawn, we were here with daylight to spare and enjoyed strolling the picturesque streets.

We left Suchitoto the morning of May 4 and after driving 9 and a half hours got to Xela just before dark. What a luxury to pull into a town where you don't have to look at the map! While we were familiar with Suchitoto, Xela was a good old friend that took very little brain power.
I was extremely excited when I realized that we could go to La Bakeshop for more awesome Mennonite baked goods in the morning before we left.

The only problem was we didn't leave the next morning... When Dave went to get the van, it started spewing oil! Thankfully the man who ran the parking lot had a nephew who was a mechanic. While we were for the nephew, there was time for La Bakeshop and the glorious cinnamon donut. The nephew came and the problem was a faulty oil filter we got when our oil was changed in Nicaragua. After a trip to two autoparts stores and about 30 minutes of fiddling by the nephew we had a new oil filter and no more spewing oil. The downside was it was already 2pm.

We had debated contacting Elsa, Marco, Maria (our host family from before) but decided not to because we didn't want to bother them, and we just wanted to sleep. But while waiting in line for the ATM, we ran into Marco who insisted we come to the house that evening to say hello. I am so glad we did. It was great to see them and talk about our travels.

Yesterday morning we had take 2 of driving to Mexico and it went off without a hitch. We also had our fastest border crossing of 25 minutes for both sides, including driving 4km between offices and me insisting we go in and make sure the car permit was in order, which it was.

Pictures soon. The wifi at our hostel isn't working and there isn't a card reader on the free computer...

Change of Plans!

Yes, that quickly.

Sitting around the square yesterday evening, Dave and I decided that we really don't want to wait to start heading home. Suchitoto is nice, and more Spanish classes would only help me, but the bottom line is, I am tired of traveling!

There, I said it. I am tired of hostels and cheap hotels and no screens on the windows and sleeping in the poison of mosquito coils or repellent so I'm not eaten to pieces during my fitful sleep. I am tired of roosters at 4am. I miss cooking for myself. I miss an abundant selection of veggies. I miss picking up the phone and calling my friends. I miss drinking water out of the tap. I miss wearing something other than my one pair of pants, my one skirt, or my one dress.

I won't speak for Dave and why he wants to go home, but I think it has something to do with climbing and being tired of the rules of the road down here. Just a guess.

Anyway, the new plan is leaving here tomorrow morning and driving into Guatemala. Spending the night in Guatemala. We aren't sure where, still trying to get info on the best route from Guatemala to San Cristobal.

May 5 crossing into Mexico and driving to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. A couple days there, then if Palenque is open going to Palenque for some more Mayan ruins, if not continuing towards Oaxaca City, probably a two day drive. From Oaxaca City to Morelia, again probably a two day drive. Morelia to Leon or Guanajuato. Then to Saltillo. Then to Texas.

Who knows how long it will take us, it depends on road conditions, what all is open, and how we feel.

But I leave you with these pictures snapped the past couple of days around Suchitoto. Which really is a great little town, and if it wasn't so hot and we weren't so weary, we would stay in longer.


The two little dogs that live at the tienda on the square. They are smaller than Louie, but act like they own one entire side of the square.

Scultpure at the Center for Art and Peace

Grass and cobblestones lead to the Square

Thunderhead. Dusk. May 2

Just down from the tienda and the dogs is a souvenier shop that transforms to a comedor around 5.

The Plan, or Pig Flu--- We Ain't Scared

We are itchin' to get home, but unfortunately there's the little H1N1 thing going on, and Mexico has closed down just about everything until May 5.

While we plan on being cautious and using good hygiene and common sense when we drive through Mexico, we are still going to drive home, and obviously that means going through Mexico.

Of course, what things will be like when we get home is another question, seeing as how Comal County (New Braunfels, where we're headed to see my family once we get into the USA) is closing parks and what not, I'm not sure how much there is to look forward to. But I do know that at least I'll have a kitchen and a comfy bed.

So here is the plan, subject to change, of course...

We are in Suchitoto, El Salvador, and happy to be here. We are staying in a nice little room with a strong fan and a gracious host, Robert El Gringo. Starting Monday I am doing 5 days of Spanish class, and Dave will probably head to the coast to surf. Friday or Saturday of next week we'll go back to the Ruta de Flores to see what's like on the weekend, then head into Guatemala. Probably spending the night somewhere along CA2, then into Mexico around May 11. Then we'll drive through Mexico at a reasonable pace given road conditions and how we feel. We promise to wash our hands regularly and thoroughly, and try our hardest to follow the other recommendations made by our beloved friend Dr. Krebs.