We spent several days at a beautiful RV park in Sayulita which suited all of us really fine. There were beautiful beaches which we all lazed around, except for Dan who rented a surf board for 24 hours and used it for as much of that time he could. We walked into the town which offered all the typical souvenirs, you’d expect and a fabulous Cake Lady that Kevin wanted to marry so he’d have endless cakes.
It was December 1st and we were rested, bathed and jumped back on the road. None of us said much of anything all day falling in and out of naps as we drove along. Kevin devoured a book.
Puerto Valeta was one of the first major cities we’ve seen in some time and we were greeted by a Mexican cop looking for some extra American money. Luckily we had all been warned about the scene we were caught in. Sterling was driving in the left lane and was pulled over. He should have kept going. but didn’t and had to leave $20 tip with the cop who so kindly told us not to do that again and reminded my son he should find his passport and license if he was to drive in Mexico. Ce le vie! That’s what I call swift justice! We later met a man in Acapulco who was from Germany and had paid 2 cops off for as little as $10 each.
Flowers are beautiful with pinks, purples and red being used for landscaping and near homesteads, while the countryside is lined with flowering trees in vivid green, yellow with violet colored morning glories which grow wild and are especially fond of wet, swampy areas.
The refrigerator door just fell off - it usually just opens every time we take a sharp right. The stove door fell off last night. The hot water heater never worked. We lost and replaced the gas tank cover. Our tires are going along quite well. The brakes often smell like burning something or other and have started making a jingling noise. We’ll need to get them fixed soon enough. We’ve almost ran out of gas again this morning. We found a tiny village where the guy was selling black market gasoline for $4.00 for 2 liters but then we were desperate. He threw in 3 cups of freshly brewed beef broth with onions and cilantro. We’ve gone in and out of vast miles where they won’t accept American credit cards and others, further south who gladly do.
We’ve been lured by signs that say Play Azula for quite some time, about a day and half. We only went 100 miles each of the last 2 days. Getting gas, groceries, money exchanged, and finding a spot for the RV have all become the chores for each day often sucking hours from each day. I learned long ago the mother who just went food shopping is the one who has the gang of boys around. Some things you can count on. The best part about the meals is the abundance of fruit for $1.00 or less so we buy it often but you need to because it’s so ephemeral in the heat.
We’re seeing lots of horses, pigs, chickens, goats, burrows just grazing especially alongside Route 200 which we have been following for miles along the Southern coast. There are also piles of coconuts and large groves of palm trees. We hardly ever see mountains anymore because we’re in the mountains.
It’s been my pleasure to feed these young men. I’m used to cooking for a family of 4 anyways.
I’m sure that over the past 25 years there have been plenty of people who have feed my boys on more then one occasion. Dan is great - I caught him having Doritto’s, spoonfuls of peanut butter and a beer for breakfast or a ham sandwich as an appetizer to whatever meal I’m making. Kevin is naturally thin, lanky and tall.
The southern shore of Mexico is not un-like driving along the shore of California, just more of the Pacific. We wind in and out of different topography, the flowers, palm trees and mountains paint a glorious landscape for us, constantly changing with every passing mile.
Sterling and I went to a Catholic Church in the town square of celebrating Mass for the beginning of advent. The center of most all Southern towns have a communal courtyard. We hung around this small fishing village one night on the street. The hitchhikers found a spot on the beach and enjoyed seeing an early morning fire. Vendors set up on Sunday morning with Mexican pottery you see available everywhere around here. Some vendors sold used clothes (jeans, shorts, etc.) and we moved on.
Other observations include: Twenty vultures eating a freshly dead black cow. Two goats fucking. I love seeing people tie their horses up while they go into a shop, or when they’re at the beach, or even just riding along the side of the road. Lots of older men use horses and wear jeans, a crisp white shirt, boots and a big white straw wide brimmed hats. After work today we saw someone walking home with a sewing machine and another walking home with his machete.
Coconuts are plentiful in big piles on the ground. Reminds me of Lobster Traps in Coastal Maine. Quite evident it’s a major source of their income.
The 3 young men have decided most Mexican women aren’t very pretty but when they are they are totally, over the top, beautiful. There are lots of young pregnant girls here. And also lots of umbrellas to keep the sun away.
Kevin spends much of this trip looking out the back window while Dan sits up front and helps navigate since I can’t read the signs and he can. He’s so helpful with keeping us on track. We'd probably still be in Northern Mexico if it wasn't for Dan. . . a blessing and a curse.
We started our day today, December 4th on the shores of Acapulco. Acapulco Bay is a semi-circle so as we drove in during the early evening it was pretty spectacular with the city lights coming on in all the terraced houses. It was kind of like driving into Times Square for the first time, but not quite so cheesy. I really expected to see the typical American hotels but not so we took any exit because it said Playa (beach) or Marina or something that meant good and sure enough we ended up on a Mexican tourist town with a beautiful terraced hotel where we went in for coffee and tea overlooking the bay with a cool breeze, internet. Perfect way to start the day.
We drive most of the days while it’s wicked hot so we can have the AC on in the Peace Mobile, but at night we find a small village or beach to camp out in. Last night was beautiful. We were parked in a police / town hall lot in the center plaza and watched local boys place Basketball, old men chatter, the women had a candle lighting ceremony celebrating Aids awareness. Dan and Kevin jumped in and played BB, Sterling and I played cribbage and enjoyed walking around and checking out the local church. A wonderful night to a beautiful day. Things are good in Mexico!
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