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Saturday 28 September 2013

Getting there.. througth Mexico.

While there are many entry points into Guatemala, I have mostly chosen one that allows a gentler passage. This route is loosely called the Gringo Trail. 

This route involves experiencing part of Mexico. This gentler approach to me involves more of a connection with the people and a way to see some of the differences between Mexico and Guatemala. 

The Gringo Trail is a loosely string of popular places through central and south America. It wanders and meanders in around the Yucatan of Mexico, Belize and parts of Guatemala heading south. 

When some people say they have gone to Mexico a lot of them mean that they have stayed at resorts. Yes that is still Mexico but in reality a resort is a protected part of Mexico, a gated version. Here people stay on the resort playa (beach). Some take those small very escorted trips in air-conditioned buses that travel in over secured experiences into some minimalist market. I personally try to experience the real Mexico, ground level and with the real people. That involves stepping off that well marked trail. That involves getting away from tourist areas and into places where you are the only foreigner around. 




Mexico is a thriving country with so many facets to enjoy and experience. My route through Mexico and into Guatemala involves some of that experience. I usually fly in through Mexico City and then on a domestic flight to an international airport called Angel Albino Corzo. 

Angel Albino Corzo International Airport is situated just outside of Tuxtla Gutierrez and here stepping out of the plane, it is the first time you will experience that heat that Mexico has. It is that heavy heat one does not readily experience in Canada. Airport gantries are not air-conditioned so as the airplane door is opened this is the first experience of Mexico you will get. It hits like a hot wall of warmth up front and in your face. Not that it is unbearable as the humidity level here is not high as it is in coastal areas of Mexico.




A word of caution here.... taking pictures of any part of the airport is strictly forbidden. They can and have that ability (power) to take your camera from you. 

Take it from me.... I was personally warned!!! 
My camera stayed with me as I feigned innocence...


US dollars not used here!!!

Mexico is Mexico and they reserve the right to use their own currency only. 

Now there are exceptions, but be prepared and take some pesos with you when you travel. Make certain that the pesos you purchase at the bank or money changers at home are in pristine condition. Any bills that are torn, cut, marked or damaged in any way at all will not be accepted.

So you arrive... (yeah we landed okay) and from the arrival level you go downstairs where you will find many shuttle buses. Prior to boarding that shuttle bus you will need to purchase a bolito or ticket. They are not sold on the shuttle buses. 

I remember my first experience (a few years ago) with that shuttle bus and purchasing that bolito. As my first trip was going to be a short trip through Mexico, I had decided that I would just carry a few US dollars as they would be accepted everywhere, right? 

Wrong!! 

I was travelling with just US dollars which to my amazement were not accepted as legal tender in Mexico. They are actually not accepted in many places in Mexico.

The ticket seller wanted pesos and Mexican Pesos and nothing else. The ATM bank machine did not work. I had not taken the preparatory measure to purchase Peso's before I left Canada and so I felt at a bit of a loss as what to do. Checking over my shoulder I could see that the driver of that shuttle was getting impatient to leave. 

Luckily for me at the end of that very long counter was a car rental agency. The care rental agency told me they would exchange the US dollars I had into Peso's. I remember that it took four people and two languages to make it all work. 
They wanted to give me a fair rate of exchange and all I wanted was to find a way to purchase that ticket for the shuttle bus. To make it all happen and yes fast, por favor. 

That shuttle bus was my first adventure with Mexican drivers. 

Solid double lines it seemed, meant nothing on winding mountain roads. Drivers raced towards each other, their vehicles gliding past missing by mere centimeters. Paved shoulders of roads widening making passing spots. It all seemed to somehow work, as if some unwritten language of sense and reason was controlling everything. 

San Cristobal de la cases was originally the capital of Chiapas a state in Mexico. San Cristobal is alive with movement in many forms. Tourism is rampant. People travel to San Cristobal to learn espanol yes, but also to just be there. It is vibrant and carries its own spell. It has a funky, arty side to it. Interesting pokey little shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and hostels, tattoo parlours. There was such a relaxed feeling to the place. 






The one hostel I enjoy staying at, is owned by a Canadian Mexican couple. 

I found Le Gite del Sol http://www.legitedelsol.com like many of us do these days, online. I have returned to this hostel on several trips through Mexico and my way to Guatemala. 

San Cristobal de la Cases is a charming town and I like to stay at this hostel in San Cristobal because partly I know the route and that makes it easy for me and partly because I am treated so well there. Check it out for yourself... Le Gite del Sol. 





One of the things I like to do anywhere I visit is to check out the architecture around me and see what stands out a little or a lot. I look for interesting details.






Just walking by I found a stage theatre. Since I have had a background in theatre, I thought why not ask ask and see if I could take a look inside. I was pleasantly surprised at their hospitality and off I went to explore it.







Street dogs are everywhere south of the USA... 
They are usually well fed and love to enjoy their life just lazing about...




Ummm an interesting building for a fast food outlet




Getting there, wherever you're going to, can be fun, and an adventuresome time and yes and so very interesting.

Get off the bus and walk the streets, rub your face into the culture and experience the real Mexico.