San Cristobal de Los Casas

Other than to use the word breathtaking, I am not going to try to describe the city of San Cristobal de Los Casas. I have been walking around the city in a state of disbelief that there could be any place so beautiful. I don´t think anywhere I went in Europe even compares to this. If you don´t believe me, go onto Flickr and see for yourself. (http://flickr.com/search/?q=San+Cristobal+&s=int)




The following two headings will probably be reoccuring. Stay tuned.


Strange Things I Have Eaten So Far

Chihuahua·
Tacos el Pastor (when I think about some of the pastors I have met, this seems to be a reasonable use for them)
· actually a kind of cheese, but I prefer to think of it as the dog

Funny Signs

A very serious looking green RUTA DE EVACUACION sign posted on the wall of a tiny moneychanging business (evacuation route). The store was all of 12 feet wide with three walls and the other side was completely open. There was no other direction one could conceivably go in any situation. Fortunately the arrow was pointing to the side of the store that was completely open. I would hate to think of the confusion it could cause in an emergency if it were pointing in another direction.

¡Estoy aqui finalmente!

Well after months of preparation and about 3 million email to the school staff, I am finally here. My bags, however, have decided to see a bit of the country first.

Right now I am in a Cyber Cafe on the busiest street in town. Cars are zooming by at speeds I had forgotten exist. A football match is on the TV (of course) and the sound of horns blaring serves as a constant reminder that I am no longer in Victoria. The heat and humidity would have taken care of that had there been no horns. But although it feels familiar after having visited Mexico three other times, Tuxtla Gutierrez is different. The moment I stepped out of the airport, I breathed a smell that was two parts jungle and one part mountain air. Or perhaps that was two parts needing to shower, it is hard to say.

Tuxtla is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush green hills and small mountains. Except for the palm trees, the foliage seems different than on the coast. The energy of a Latin-American country is the same, but the people seem nicer and a little stunned to realize a foreigner is in their midst. Although I am clearly a novelty here, no one has approached me to sell me anything or been pushy in any way. The lack of aggressive sales pitches at every turn is both refreshing and novel. I like the people already.

Now I am off to Centro in search of tacos and cerveza. And adventure too.

July 14, 2006

Victoria, BC

Having traveled all over the place and having always kept a journal, I wanted to continue the tradition of recording my experiences. This time, I would like to be able to share my life with my firends who are scattered around the world. What better way to do this than a blog. I don't leave for two weeks, but wanted to get a start on the blog so I am an expert by the time I actually am in Tuxtla.