December 10, 2008

Well....you're getting two days worth of blogging on this post!

December 9, 2008
Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out there is something to remind you that you really have no idea about anything. All is good and we’re now in a little pueblo called Tlacotalpan. We wanted little and that’s what we got! We’re going to head out exploring now but the ride here was an adventure unto itself. Right from the moment I realized that Lynda had forgotten how to speak English to the time that we ended up at a hotel that wasn’t even on our list of possibilities here – its been one surprise after another.

I should clarify the bit about Lynda losing her English I guess......we were at the bus station in Vera Cruz trying to find a bus to bring us to this little place. I was asking the driver of the bus we had been told was the correct one if in fact he would be going to Tlacotalpan. (We’ve learned that you must get the same information from at least 3 sources before trusting it to be correct). The bus driver was speaking in Spanish very rapidly to me and I wasn’t having any luck at all understanding any of his words so I mouthed through the bus window to Lynda, (who was standing down on the sidewalk) to “help me” and all she did was look at me with the same confused look that some of the Mexican people give to me when I try to say something in English to them.

In the end it was all good though...the driver refered us to the yellow and white bus who then referred us to the green bus and voila.....here we are at our destination for just 570 pesos each (approx $5.70). The trip was super comfortable and the buses here are actually fun to travel on. When the driver stops at some of the points along the way....people come on to sell food and other things and on this trip we even had a duo (guitar and accordion) come aboard to serenade us for 4 or 5 songs. It’s a festive and at the same time relaxed place to be. And yes....we did buy some of the food someone brought onto the bus too.....it was delicious. Some kind of freshly baked sandwich with cactus and salsa in it. It was enough for the two of us and it cost 30 cents. I can afford to eat out every day here – it’s great!

Off to explore....this town that has a river.....not the gulf.....we left that somewhere along the highway coming out of Vera Cruz. The main industries here are fishing, farming and tourism (although we’re the only tourists in sight....and that’s fine by us). It appears that a few Mexican tourists may come here but there is not another gringo anywhere around since getting to the bus station in Vera Cruz.

Well....we’re back and what an afternoon it turned out to be. We started out walking around the town just to get a feel for it and before we knew what was happening we had wandered into a really quaint part of town where it seemed all the houses had been painted just for our visit. They were all of quite a substantial size and each was a different colour. Most had columns out front which added to the majestic ambiance and the road was spotlessly clean with white painted benches on the grassy boulevard and matching white iron garbage can holders.....it was really pretty! As we were admiring the area, a little old lady approached and began to speak to us in Spanish. We managed to understand some of the words and finally Lynda figured out that they’re currently filming a TV series/movie here in town and have been for the past 10 months. It will be released in February and is called Verana de Amore (Summer Love). Lynda is going to have to watch for it in February as she’ll still be in Troncones at that time and since we’re both certain that they filmed us walking past....she’ll really have to watch since we’re now famous in Mexico. You’ll never guess what their dressing room trailer had printed on the side.....it was Summerland (that was the brand name) so we had a good chuckle over that. The little old lady gave us a bit of a tour explaining how large the houses are and then invited us to join her at her house tomorrow morning for a bite to eat. We have her address and will do our best to find her place. It will be another interesting experience and how sweet was that for her to invite us over not knowing who we are at all. I think we may be her vacation too – this is a pretty sleepy little town.

After our “tour” with our new friend....we continued on our own and ended up along the riverfront at a little restaurant where for 280 pesos ($28) we had: 4 beer, 1 water, 1 coke, 1 shrimp dinner, 1 fish and shrimp dinner, and a ½ hour river boat sunset tour of the area for two.
Now we’re sitting at a little umbrella covered table right beside the zocalo and there are kids of all ages (1-15) playing hide and seek amongst the trees and statues in the town centre. The birds are singing and we’re drinking Tequila, Kahlua and Milk and loving every minute of it! The weather is warm and humid and there is a breeze blowing so I’m finding it the perfect temperature. Lynda on the other hand is currently wrapped in a tablecloth (our server just came to her rescue with one from inside the restaurant so she didn’t have to try to crawl under the one that is on our table) Really, it’s not cold...just the breeze is a little cool and when you’re kind of damp from the humidity....it can be a little cool.

We’ve decided that every town should have a Zocalo....what a great gathering place. It fosters such a sense of community and the air in the place is so social and festive every night. People’s schedules in Mexico are different. Kids go to school either from 7-1 or 1-7 and stores open around 9 or 10 and then close again at 2 till 4 at which time they open again till 8 or 9 or even 10. It really depends on whether there are any people around to be their customers or not. Workers are generally paid by the week and they get paid the same regardless of whether they finish at the scheduled time or not. There is such a relaxed air everywhere....a man selling some baked ham turnovers just came into the restaurant area where we are sitting to sell his wares and the owner of the restaurant doesn’t mind at all. Everyone is so tolerant and easy going. The other thing that is really obvious is how safe it feels. Kids of all ages are able to run freely about and there seems no concern at all for their safety. It is really nice to experience.

Don’t know when we’ll be able to get to an internet connection again so will just keep adding to this word document and copy and paste when the opportunity strikes. Don’t know where the wind will blow us next but for tonight....we’re really happy right where we are.

Till next time,
Lorrie

December 10, 2008
As Willie would say.....”on the road again”.......and here we are in a nice little city called Tuxtepec. We waved good bye to Tlacotalpan this morning just after 11:00 but before we said “adios” we had time to star in the movie once again. We were sitting at breakfast and minding our own business when the filming started all around us. There was a pirate on his ship (we knew he was a pirate by the flag flying from the mast) and a damsel in distress. They had a fight and before we knew what was happening...the damsel fell into the water....and.....Lynda dived right in after her to save her. You should have seen the look on the directors face when she bobbed up with the damsel in a very professional rescue hold. LOL....seriously though....we did find ourselves in the movie during breakfast and there was a pirate and a damsel and their stunt doubles did go overboard....but....Lynda held herself in check and didn’t go in after them. Instead she waited till a lull in the filming and then she marched right over to the two stars (pirate and damsel) and asked to have her picture taken with them. Of course they complied and the pirate even bent her over backward for a very movie like kiss (on the cheek). When Lynda returned to where I was .... she was flushed and blushing....those pirates will do it every time!

Before we went for breakfast we did manage to locate the home of the little old lady who had invited us over to her house the day previous. We had some help from a couple of locals to find the address but...eventually we located it and unfortunately she wasn’t at home. Although....had she been at home....we might have missed the movie making experience!

The bus to Tuxtepec took about 3 hours (only about 100 km) and now we have a 6 ½ hour wait till our bus to Oaxaca leaves at 10:05 tonight. On the upside....having an overnight bus means our bus trip is basically free since we don't have to pay for a hotel room tonight....there is a silver lining to every cloud. We’ll arrive in Oaxaca at 5:30 in the a.m. to discover what adventure awaits us there.

Till next time,
Lorrie