I don’t think my chamois will make it to Puerto Vallarta. You should see them all worn out and sun damaged….alot like myself actually. It´s hot here! Yesterday my barometer read 107F when we were at the peak of our ride. At this temperature I was really struggling. To be honest, I was not having fun anymore. The thought of hitch hiking to Puerto Vallarta was becoming quite common in my cloudy heat exhausted mind. Actually the last three days have been mentally exhausting like my good friend Anthony put it; `trying to maintain a Buddah like demeanor’ when dealing with pain, exhaustion, anxiety and danger. Nonetheless we have met some of the most generous people yet.
Big Mexico
Since we arrived in the big Mexico I have felt out of sorts. There are more people, more poverty, more trash, and a feeling of being less significant on such a large continent. We have however, been riding on a straight black flat freeway. On the brighter side there is an abundant array of new food and especially fruit to try. I think I have sampled 4 varieties of mangos so far. They just fall off the trees on the side of the road. Its sweet.
The People
Like I said before we have been blessed everyday by generous Mexicans. The crazy sailor in Puerto Vallarta was right….just tell them what you need and they shall provide even more than you asked for. Mexicans from what I can see really look out for each other. In Escuinapa we were told that camping beneath a tent that by days is a seafood stand would keep us safe. When we approached the owners they not only agreed, but offered their home, dinner, showers (the best shower of my life with just a bucket and a drain), and la alberca to wash our clothes. They had very little but they lived well and wanted everything they had. The father of the household said goodbye the next mornig with a tear in his eye and assured us we were like family. Kindness and selflessness like I have never seen before. When we havent stayed with a family PEMEX; the only petrol station in Mexico which has public bathroom and showers has served as our home and the workers have been more than helpful. Today we are staying not in a grungy PEMEX but a beautiful colonial house with a pool in San Blas. While we were in the plaza and my heart was breaking as i watched starved parched dogs on the street and attempted to give them water a sweet voice said ‘ you love them dont you?’ It was Carmen’s voice. A sweet middle aged single mother with a sun in Santa Cruz, CA. We talked about how it was mothers day and he had not called. I assured her we was thinking of her and explained that although I am far from my mum and often communication is tough I am grateful and love her still. I gave her a hug and wished her a Happy Mother´s Day since her son could not. She cried and thanked me. She invited us to stay at thier grand family home here in San Blas.
All in all this is hard. Riding everyday is hard. Thinking about what to buy that wont go off and where we will sleep is hard. At the end of the day however we are blessed and priviliged for the opportunity to safely execute this adventure.
one day you can be hunched over the MSR cooking chilaquilles meters away from a poo turd in the parking lot of a PEMEX station, and the next you are devouring your fourth mango poolside in a beautiful home with a bed waiting to give you rest
I think thats what keeps us going. The good outways the bad and we can pedal on.
Recent Photos
Im on a hot rollercoaster only im riding a bike
I don’t think my chamois will make it to Puerto Vallarta. You should see them all worn out and sun damaged….alot like myself actually. It´s hot here! Yesterday my barometer read 107F when we were at the peak of our ride. At this temperature I was really struggling. To be honest, I was not having fun anymore. The thought of hitch hiking to Puerto Vallarta was becoming quite common in my cloudy heat exhausted mind. Actually the last three days have been mentally exhausting like my good friend Anthony put it; `trying to maintain a Buddah like demeanor’ when dealing with pain, exhaustion, anxiety and danger. Nonetheless we have met some of the most generous people yet.
Big Mexico
Since we arrived in the big Mexico I have felt out of sorts. There are more people, more poverty, more trash, and a feeling of being less significant on such a large continent. We have however, been riding on a straight black flat freeway. On the brighter side there is an abundant array of new food and especially fruit to try. I think I have sampled 4 varieties of mangos so far. They just fall off the trees on the side of the road. Its sweet.
The People
Like I said before we have been blessed everyday by generous Mexicans. The crazy sailor in Puerto Vallarta was right….just tell them what you need and they shall provide even more than you asked for. Mexicans from what I can see really look out for each other. In Escuinapa we were told that camping beneath a tent that by days is a seafood stand would keep us safe. When we approached the owners they not only agreed, but offered their home, dinner, showers (the best shower of my life with just a bucket and a drain), and la alberca to wash our clothes. They had very little but they lived well and wanted everything they had. The father of the household said goodbye the next mornig with a tear in his eye and assured us we were like family. Kindness and selflessness like I have never seen before. When we havent stayed with a family PEMEX; the only petrol station in Mexico which has public bathroom and showers has served as our home and the workers have been more than helpful. Today we are staying not in a grungy PEMEX but a beautiful colonial house with a pool in San Blas. While we were in the plaza and my heart was breaking as i watched starved parched dogs on the street and attempted to give them water a sweet voice said ‘ you love them dont you?’ It was Carmen’s voice. A sweet middle aged single mother with a sun in Santa Cruz, CA. We talked about how it was mothers day and he had not called. I assured her we was thinking of her and explained that although I am far from my mum and often communication is tough I am grateful and love her still. I gave her a hug and wished her a Happy Mother´s Day since her son could not. She cried and thanked me. She invited us to stay at thier grand family home here in San Blas.
All in all this is hard. Riding everyday is hard. Thinking about what to buy that wont go off and where we will sleep is hard. At the end of the day however we are blessed and priviliged for the opportunity to safely execute this adventure.
I think thats what keeps us going. The good outways the bad and we can pedal on.