On the road again!
January 20th, I’m sitting at the very mediocre bar lounge, of the very mediocre Quality Inn in Philadelphia in company of my new best friend Jean-Benoit, a fella from Joliette I’ve met barely 5 hours, being served by a year ravaged waitress with no smile, my Jeep close to 15 000 km away in Campeche, Mexico, and , as in so many times in my life, I’m wondering: How the Hell did I manage to get here!!
Simple, after 3 great weeks of resorts, amazing scuba diving (that included 3,5 meter sharks and underground caverns), meeting great people, and one of the best New Years Eve party in the last years (punctuated by hostel potluck, biggest sangria jar ever, and the 35$ bottle of vodka at the mambo Café in Merida), I dropped my girlfriend at the airport, and found myself missing her like crazy.
So, did what anyone would do, managed to get hold of the last overnight bus ticket of the day from Campeche and booked at 300$ return flight Cancun to Ottawa, after a 7 hour bus ride, barely not making it on time, I ended up leaving the 30 degree heat of Mexico for the minus 20 of my lovely hometown!!
Spent an amazing 2 weeks home, to find myself, on the way back, on a overbooked flight in Philadelphia. The desk stewart asked for volunteers to stay behind, offering a night in Phily, money for food and a 200$ discount on any US Airways flight… Not being a man to say good bargains. And a chance to see the Rocky statue, I accepted, and ended up meeting Jean-Benoit who was in the same situation as me. Figured out we were heading the same way and offered him to join on the trek.
We are now January 29th, I’m in Guatemala, have a bad case of the runs, writing this blog in a hippie compound on the edge of lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes, and still asking myself the same question… How the hell did I manage to end up here!!!
The 9 last days have been filled by the craziest driving I’ve ever done. Palenque to San Cristobal is only 190 km… IT TOOK 7 HOURS of managing narrow mountain roads, going through roughly 300 speed bumps, avoiding barrages made by begging kids, and realising that radiator problems at 2400 meters high, is not the most pleasant of experiences.
But saw the most amazing waterfalls, stayed in the best Hostel in San Cristobal, met a fella who’s been drving around the world for the last 5 years (see his website at www.heartofdarkness.com.au), visited mayan towns where they sacrifice chikens in churches, and discovered Guatemala, one of the most beautiful country I’ve visited.
Bacci tournament this afternoon, topped with poutine, courtesy of the ex director of production at Le Devoir, who reinvented himself as one of the coolest bar owner in Guatemala!
Simple, after 3 great weeks of resorts, amazing scuba diving (that included 3,5 meter sharks and underground caverns), meeting great people, and one of the best New Years Eve party in the last years (punctuated by hostel potluck, biggest sangria jar ever, and the 35$ bottle of vodka at the mambo Café in Merida), I dropped my girlfriend at the airport, and found myself missing her like crazy.
So, did what anyone would do, managed to get hold of the last overnight bus ticket of the day from Campeche and booked at 300$ return flight Cancun to Ottawa, after a 7 hour bus ride, barely not making it on time, I ended up leaving the 30 degree heat of Mexico for the minus 20 of my lovely hometown!!
Spent an amazing 2 weeks home, to find myself, on the way back, on a overbooked flight in Philadelphia. The desk stewart asked for volunteers to stay behind, offering a night in Phily, money for food and a 200$ discount on any US Airways flight… Not being a man to say good bargains. And a chance to see the Rocky statue, I accepted, and ended up meeting Jean-Benoit who was in the same situation as me. Figured out we were heading the same way and offered him to join on the trek.
We are now January 29th, I’m in Guatemala, have a bad case of the runs, writing this blog in a hippie compound on the edge of lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes, and still asking myself the same question… How the hell did I manage to end up here!!!
The 9 last days have been filled by the craziest driving I’ve ever done. Palenque to San Cristobal is only 190 km… IT TOOK 7 HOURS of managing narrow mountain roads, going through roughly 300 speed bumps, avoiding barrages made by begging kids, and realising that radiator problems at 2400 meters high, is not the most pleasant of experiences.
But saw the most amazing waterfalls, stayed in the best Hostel in San Cristobal, met a fella who’s been drving around the world for the last 5 years (see his website at www.heartofdarkness.com.au), visited mayan towns where they sacrifice chikens in churches, and discovered Guatemala, one of the most beautiful country I’ve visited.
Bacci tournament this afternoon, topped with poutine, courtesy of the ex director of production at Le Devoir, who reinvented himself as one of the coolest bar owner in Guatemala!
posted by transamericatrek at
11:06 AM
1 Comments:
Hello - great journey. Your info about the Mexican border was very useful. I think I understand from your blog that you are coming south! If so we might meet somewhere. We are in Brazil at the moment but heading north along the coast.
You can see our route at www.atlanticrising.org
Good luck with your adventures.
Lynn
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