travelling with a need to write

Up Early and off to Tulum’s Ruins, situated about 15 minutes out of town on the beach. The myan ruins were beautiful, set on the cliff side of this stunning place, With a small beach area and cove. It was a shame that you couldn’t touch anything or go inside but it was still interesting to read about the history and the purposes and just soak up the stunning serenity that oozed from the ancient stones. We arrived at opening time, I advise this, we were 4 of few that were in there then and about an hour and a half later when we were leaving tours and tours had arrived. After the ruins we went, again, to the beach and relaxed a little more.

At 3 I came packed up my stuff from my friends, bid farewell and jumped on a bus. I had received a text from friends from America saying they were in Playa del Carmen and that I should come and meet them for dinner, so I was off.

I Arrived in Playa del Carmen and met my friends to eat at this nice main stream restaurant and had tacos de camorones… (Shrimp tacos) yum.  They had a car so they then drove the hour to Cancun, passing many resorts. My friends offered me to stay, so I took up the offer, I felt like I was imposing on their holiday a bit but K reassured me that I wasn’t and listed reasons why J she’s awesome.

The next day we planned to go to Isla Mujeres but as on of the boys had to go to the hospital as he could hard talk or swallow and was in a lot of pain, we were to late going. Instead we went to a beach they had previously gone to, the sun was shining, the waves were small and the water was refreshing and cool. It was lovely. We spent most of the day here, after we went to Senior Frogs, big American chain bar/restraint/club and had cocktails. They even had a slide into the sea lagoon from the building, which T & Z went down. The cocktails were yummy, served in yard type glasses, which were ours to take. A couple of hours and cocktails later we returned to the hotel to cook. Me and the boys went to the pool and the hot tub, the hot tub was grubby so we didn’t stay in their long, but the pool was refreshing( very cold) and we were the only ones in it. It was cool and relaxing just chatting and drinking with the background sound of the sea.

The next day once more we planned to go to Isla Mujeres but woke up to slight rain and overcast, so we decided not. This day was slow and wet. First to a nice fish taco place in town and then to a mall for a wander and a film. We watched the new Tim Burton –‘Alicia y la pias marvillsa’  - Alice in wonderland. It was good, effect were amazing but the film lacked a big event. That night we went to a nice restraint and ate A LOT! Even took some back too, it was amazing food and a really classy and nice place. Later me and the younger boy went out to a club as it was St. Paddys day and the places were crazy. The club was called basic and was a big white dome placed on the water. The night was fun and crazy, the club dominated by guys, It was spring break and packed.

Thursday and Finally we made it to Isla Mujeres. Getting the ferry from the hotel zone, the slower one by accident, it took us about 45 minutes to get there with stunning views of the island. When we arrived we did the touristy thing and rented two golf carts to get around the tiny island. The town was small and colorful, buzzing with tourists alike. First we took the carts to a nearby beach and went for a swim, the sun was hot and I retreated to the shade for a small nap. After this we toured the island, me on the back of the cart, absorbing everything. The island was a paradise. The sea following the only high way had delicious smelling restaurants dotted along it and we stopped in one for lunch. Overlooking the sea towards the coast of Cancun and smelling barbeques fish, the food was great and the cold beer was well appreciated. After this we went to the main beach just up from the ports… reasonably crowded but not too bad that it would really bother you. Finally we returned the carts and jumped on to a fast ferry back to the strip. There wasn’t many sitting on the top of the ferry… we soon found out why after being splashed by the waves that the boat landed on, nevertheless we stayed and watched the sunset creeping through windows of hotels and between them, quickly drop behind the urban-scape. This evening we had reservations at a big Mexican place in the hotel zone, reservations we had to make in advance as it was a popular place. The food was nice, I had vegetable fajitas as I craved veggies once more. The free margaritas were a delight, the guacamole made table side was educational and damn good and lastly the bananas set on fire table side were heaven.

The next day ( Friday) we set off early to drive to Ek Balam, ruins about 3 hours from Cancun, just north of Valladolid. Arriving at the ruins we took the wrong turn and entered the little town of Ek Balam which contained small wooden shacks and small shops… tiny town and very native. It was beautiful. After turning back a little bit and asking a man in broken Spanish we arrived at Ek Balam. The ruins were huge, much bigger than Tulum and also you could climb 95% of it. We walked up the main temple and you could look over not only all of the ancient town but also you could look over the land for miles and miles, flat marsh land lay out un touched before you. Here you felt a whole world away from the commercialized bubble of Cancun. The Afternoon was spent on the nicer beach we went to soaking up the last rays my friends would encounter. Combined with beer, tortillas and dips it was a nice end to an day of exploring and climbing.  The last night for my friends spring break… of course it had to be spent out on the town for the younger boy so I joined. The hotel they were staying went to ceritan places each night and tonight it was ‘The City’ a huge club, that happened to have Snoop Dog atteneding that evening… that proved interesting. The sun came up and we and my new friend, Cortney, from L.A. decided to go back to our hotel. As I arrived my American friends were leaving to go to the airport, we bid our farewells for another 2 months and that was that, now it was back to hostels and pasta every night.

So I jumped on a bus to Valladolid, fell straight asleep and work up at my destination, perfect.

That Monday was relaxing, cooking, sorting playing. Then Tuesday was a mad rush to print and pack for my next adventure.

I had to get a taxi to the airport as there are no busses, which is poor but meh. The taxi was a huge 200MXP I was gob smacked, but taxis in la paz are expensive, and I had a nice broken Spanish chat to the driver. La Paz airport is tiny, as to be expected. The loud speaker to announce who was to board at the gate was a tiny plastic amp, there was only 3 gates and my flight was the last of the night, at 8pm.

The plane seated 56 people in total, tiny plane. Finally taking off at 9.15 nearly an hour after its departure time… but I didn’t mind as It cut off another hour of the vast amount of time I was going to spend in the next airport. The tiny airplane didn’t reach enormous heights and the view out of the window was awesome. The stars so clear and so many and the twinkling lights of the towns below shone bright. The plane also had one stewardess, so tiny and I was seated right at the back, it was great. Take off was alittle strange, the sun had completely set and they shut down all the lights in the cabin, completely, it was weird but the stars looked even better then.

I arrived at a smaller terminal and walked to the bigger one in Guadalara, there were a few people there obviously sleeping the night too as there were no more flights till 6am. I bought some Pringles and pop and set up a base, getting about 2 hours sleep in broken totals. I didn’t know whether the time zone had changed so I made sure I was up an hour earlier than needed, It had but all turned out well. The flight from Guadalara to Cancun stopped at Veracruz, Villahermosa and Merida… taking off and landing  4 times.. it was like a bus… falling asleep and waking up next to different individuals. From Cancun I hit playa del Carmen straight off and clambered to my hostel… the first nights accommodation I payed for in Mexico. Happy days.

Playa del Carmen wasn’t what I needed after that tiring airport sleepover, it was loud and touristy and hectic and VERY hot. Walking up the main Calle 5 was mental, full of souvenir shops and expensive restaurants, a nice mix of smells and music but combined with the pestering and things in US dollars it pulled down the atmosphere for me. In the evening I went out with 2 people from the hostel to a bar round the corner and played pool, after that I walked the streets again passing all the big clubs spilling people into the streets, loud, drunk and crazy… something that I normally can do, but I was knackered and wanted peace. The next day the heat was hell, I checked out but  badly wanted a siesta. Left my bags and wandered the beaches looking for shade, eventually finding some decent shade after about 2 hours… burnt. Yes. Of course. I watched the groups of young Americans, laughing and beaching, at this point I missed home, and my friends. Its not always fun to be on a beach when your on your own. I was heading to Tulum but was waiting for my friend to finish work so at 4 I left playa headed for peaceful horizons.

(Thursday) Arriving in Tulum I knew it was a whole world away from Playa, even though the resorts lines the coast on the way here still, the town consists of one main street and that’s pretty much it. I arrived and hopped into a internet café right next door to the station, 5 minutes later my friend happened to be walking across the road so I hailed him and his friend down. We went to eat at ‘ the red place’ their favorite taco place, which I have to say was really nice, and cheap J. After that we went to an amazing ice lolly place where they use fresh fruit in their lollies… needles to say the next few days we repeatedly went to these places. Amazing.

That night we went to a place called 307 at the end of the main ( and only really) street. Apparently it hadn’t been open that long, but the boys I was with were regulars. I could see why… cheap beer, ping pong table, darts, pool table, outside a patio area and an amazingly relaxed atmosphere. The People were extremely friendly and although it was quiet it was a lot of fun. I recommend this place to everyone. (they also show sport games and do a mean ki-lime pie amongst other foods)

The next day we went to the beach as this is where my friend worked ( kite surf instructor) although today there was no wind so he had nothing to do. Despite the lack of wind there were some mean waves and my friend suggested we go kayaking. We went out on a double, me at the front taking the brunt of the waves when we paddle out, he taught me what to do when riding a wave and that was that… we were off… It was amazing soo much fun riding the waves for meters and meters, leaning back to prevent nose diving into the water. The adrenalin rush was awesome… after a while my friend jinxed us an we finally capsized, but here the water is warmer so it was ok… but the force of the waves make it hard to get back on… but never the less we kayaked for hours more. I loved it.

Tulum beaches were beautiful, I stayed out of the sun a lot as my skin was already very burnt… haha. That night went much the same, red place, lollies and a drink in 307.

The next day the waves weren’t as big but so we paddled out further to catch some, I was in a single this time… a lot more unstable and it was all up to me. The hard work of paddling against the wind payed off as I caught some awesome waves, and it felt awesome. Doing it all on my own this time… much more rewarding. I burnt a little bit when I was out on the water as each time I thought I should go back I would catch a wave and want to do it again. J the rush. Today ( sat) was my friends’ birthday and we had got invited to a private beach house party by a Canadian group so we decided to go. Arriving at this beach house we were stunned.. it was huge and had a bar etc… looked like a club, very modern and arty. Right on the beach too. Free bar, awesome music and a very mixed bunch of people from all over the world. Needless to say it was an interesting, amusing and extremely fun night. The Canadian group were very alternative, per-say, they were sort of swingers, all love everyone crowd. Awesome people. Strange night.

Sunday was a lazy day, going out for some food and then recuperating from the night before. In the evening we went to my friends boss’s house for dinner. They served us hymika juice.. made from the flower, it was delicious. Also a very traditional dish which too was tasty. The family were extremely welcoming and amazing. Like everywhere in México, I love it.

Week  7

Jeese 7 weeks? Mad.

This week started at 6 am with a watching of the sunrise from our frount door balcony. Beautiful. The sunset is better but that’s only because every time it sets it really does take my breath away.  

At 7.40 I started my stroll along the malecon, 25 minutes and I was at my school and ready to learn. I was anxtious but it was a lot less scary that the one in spain even though I was on my own, but I guess I could go at my own pace then. The first day was great, finding grounds with my teacher alexis, a lovely Mexican woman with a daughter my age. After the class the groups have their break and I met the other students, all American and Canadian and over 35 but all really nice.

After I walked back, this time it was alittle hotter but still lovely. i did my homework like a good girl and went to the shop. Today was silvias birthday. The big 22. In the evening we made our way to a Chinese restaurant next to the CCC, it was me, s, C and N. perf. I ordered a seafood dish and it came out portioned for about 4 people.. I hacked at a small side of it and took the rest home, the same with silvs dish… C and N knew better and shared, still this massive dish only came to about 3 pound. I was gob smacked. When we got back to the house after we had carrot cake (yum) with a big candle in the middle  for silv. That day was a good day, productive, fun and celebratory. Awesome.

The rest of the week days pretty much went the same, up at 6 to watch the sunrise, walk along the beautiful malecon, school, walk back either along the beautiful malecon or through town practicing my Spanish. Do my home work, relax and then either go for a walk or hit the hay early. It was nice. Oh actually on Wednesday we did go to salipuedes in the evening to watch another football game, against new zeland this time, that was funny. Awful playing but mexico won in the end which was good, people are soo much happier when they win…

On Friday night me and silv we unsure what we were doing but ended up going to ‘the jungle’ club (at 12) which was hosting a marine biology university party, for the course  not themed… it was an awesome party, expensive yes.. ( well normall for back home but expensive here) after the party we went to an after party.. duh and ended up dancing here till 7 am… getting home at 7,30 after a short, interesting and full of photos walk back with S and C. good times. At 8 am, I was cooking pasta, still buzzed and really hungry, this is the time sil got a call… we were off to San Jose Del Cabo this afternoon… crazy!

Her aunt had booked us a room to meet them in a 5 star all inclusive hotel ( shes a travel agent and needed to try it out and treated us for silvs ( and mine to come ) birthday. ) we got the bus to SJC at about 2 and arrived there at 6, 200MXP quite expensive though. When we arrived out side the hotel I couldn’t believe my eyes, it had only been open for 4 months, and on average it costs about $400 per night. Crazy money. So you can probably guess how Saturday night and Sunday went… dinner in the hotels Italian returant… they had French japonise etc… with cocktails and wine. After this we ventured to los cabos main. Spring break. The first place we went had hugly expansive beers and a lot of American/Canadians… so we drank our beer and left. Found a smaller more local bar and got drinks for a third of the price, free tequila and an invite to a party ( we didn’t attend though) but still.. perfect. Sunday was hungoverly filled with buffet breakfast, shark and tuna cooked just for me, the swimming pool and its swim up bar with pina coladas… needless to say I felt quite spoilt. It was devine.

Week 6 J

La Paz- means peace… did I say that?

It really is too, so lovely and relaxed and friendly.

The gringo factor, as they call it, is quite high as it was named one of the top places to retire. And from that they are mostly older couples… not much that I can do with that.

The first few days of this week were spent roaming around the town, finding my bearings and making myself comfortable. I went to the market and cooked some amazing camarones and fish. Truly delisious.

On The Wednesday we went to salsi puedes again to watch the football game between mexico and Bolivia, Mexico won something like 6-0 an interesting game, fun to be around the people that had so much spirit for it. Even though I did completely knock over the projector when I went to the toilet at one point, extremely embarrassing, extreamly funny :p

On the Thursday I went to the language school that I found for an evaluation, to pay and to just see the pl ace. it was a large house, interesting artictcutre. They had a pool, but apparently no one used it at the moment as it is still winter! Could have fooled me. Ha. The woman, Julie, is from America and shes lovely, she isn’t a teacher though. I think most of the teachers are Mexican which is great J upon te evaluation… which constists of meria talking to me for a few minutes, I hear that there is no group for me as im not quite at the level of the intermidates. So its 2 hours of private lessons for 5 days, and she gave me a small discount so I was happy, anxtious and extreamly excited. On the way back I was productive and I went to the market and spoke all the Spanish I could muster and felt good about myself. J

That weekend consisted of a very tired Emillia. It was silvs birthday weekend and we went out on the firday, I think to Salsi’s. On the Saturday we took the bus to the closest proper beach, it had water slides going into it and everything, it was extreamly pleasant, very commericalised but nice all in all. It had a peir with a diving bord on the end which proved amusing. It already considted of perminant umbrella hut type things which I was glad for as I basked in the shade of course. The water was refreshing and nice, clear which makes a change.  In the sea that day I lit a candle and placed flower heads to float away as it was the day of my late granddads funeral who passed away a couple days before, it was hard and strange but I preferred it than going to a church as that’s not me, I have no links with the church but right now I am linked through the land and so is he.

That night we made our way to a kariokie bar, it was on the first floor and had no walls on one side, just a veranda looking over the malecon and the sea. I personally didn’t find anything to sing withing the few enlgish songs but the Spanish ones proved amusing with drunken s and festive with the lot. Was great!

One night this week we ate at a small ‘alternative’ restaurant. The emphasis on the alternative. We were stuck for food and walking for quite a while when we stumbled on this place. Tres Lunas .. or something similar was the name. It claimed to have recycled the majority of the contents it possessed inside, you wouldn’t question this as you sat on the plastic deck chairs and one swivel computer chair. The walls painted haphazardly with random signs and symbols. The light was low and random objects cluttered the space with the air filled with soothing Latin music. The food no doubt was lovely, various crêpes an empanadas.  A relaxing experience.

Roaming Monterrey was hard as the place was so big. One of the days we visited the main down town area we visited the main central park which had a giant water fountain which seemed to have statues of Poseidon and co in it. A truly glorious and epic fountain. We also visited the main Municipal palace which had Botero’s Fat horse facing it. The building itself is Huge and very dominating of the surrounding area. To the right of the building is the beginning of Monterrey’s man maid canal, looking nothing like the canals back home or even in Venice more like a 3 kilometers of thin swimming pool (which you can’t swim in, you can ride a boat though) Walking along the canal you’ll find various water features in different shapes and sizes with many different lights, exciting stuff. The canal path also encompasses many different restaurants, more expensive and tourist based. All in all it seems like a bit of fun really, Silvia tells me Monterrey felt they deserved a ‘lake’ as she called it so they built one to make themselves seem more important.

The rest of the week days were pretty much spent roaming and sorting things mixed with watching Mexicans play football outside at 11pm at night (they built pitches, amongst other things, in a gaping hole left by a dried up river that clings to the edge of the more central part of the city) crazy city people. I also went to the cinema this week, very mundane but it was odd because you focus on the film then it wasn’t until the end (because you generally get into ignoring the Spanish subtitles) but I forgot where I was for a moment… it was odd.

Thursday we went to the bus station and bought our ticket, that night I packed up my things which was a challenge ( they never go in the same way) and had my last night in Monterrey.

Heading south… Friday consisted of getting up and waiting really. We did some last minute sorting, we even made sandwiches. Then at 6 we headed off to and very nearly missed our 15 hour bus ride to Mazatlan. A glorious adventure with many, many bags as Silvia was moving all her stuff down too. It was the 4 of us… Da, Se, Si and I. The weekend has Begun!

The bus journey was pretty, we headed up in to the hills and precariously winded around and around the natural curves. Ariving in mazaltan at 9 am ish we hoped off the bus.. using that term loosly because of all the stuff we had and jumped ( another loose term) into a taxi which actually was a glorifed golf buggy… well alittle more substantial that that. Im not knocking it though, it was luverly, the breeze created was refreshing and you got to see much more than in a car. Id recommend taking one. So now it was Saturday and we dumped our stuff at the friends house and headed out wandering Mazatlan. Smaller than Monterrey by far but not a small city. Winding our way around we jumped into another cart which took us to the beach.. still in town. Here we made a nice little base in a stunning bar which terresed onto the beach, music playing and beer in hand, looking out to the sea in the hot weather… not bad for 11am.

We found out that the main carnveal was on the Sunday so the Saturday consisted of beach.. sea, with s and s running in mostly clothed… beer and music. The night we roamed into the cordoned off area full of stalls and food places and wanderd round amused. As the evening strolled on people started to move and sit on the edge of the sea ( promidade type thing) we followed and climbed down onto some rocks… Fire works began. The whole show was rather fun.. a lot of fireworks, some very large indeed, which ment a lot of photos. Yet the night didn’t end with a bang… after the fireworks we proceded to a bar which was actually cordend off street with chairs and tables filling the cobbeled lane. Here we continued the merriment, danced and listened to the live band… that night ended interestingly.

The Next day it was off to the beach again after a short stroll around the center. This time we made a better base on the beach and spent a nice time here. I took many many photos of the beautiful playa yet I didn’t go in this time. I was the only one. As afternoon set in we headed to to road by the sea and found a nice spot to watch the carnival… The over all atmosphere at the begging was a disappointment in comparison to the one in Veracruz ( which I visited 3 years ago) but after the fist procession past a bigger, better, louder one came … and we begun to dance.  We danced and danced and sung and laughed… danced with the parade… with eachother and the people around us. People seemed to love our enthusiasm ( half drunk) states. The parade was good fun all in all… after we walked along the busy streets back to the center to the bar we were in last night, had a pizza here and continued to dance. Me, D and S went home and S and P carried the night on at a gay club. Good times.

The next morning was an effort… the weekend had drained us all.

So then back to Monterrey for a few days… I’m unsure which of these things I did this week or the next but here goes…

We visited the Monterrey gallery of Modern art, a stunningly geometric building, itself being art. There was an exhibition on for Spencer Tunic, an American artist who took a series of photo graphs including the naked form in Mexico City, D.F., some inspired by previous works of art. His photos were out there and different, yet some seemed strangely compelling and captivating. There was also a film of him creating the series including interviews with the volunteers who were naked in the photos. One of my favorite photos contains 3, originally 4, silhouetted nude people against a window looking out towards a view of the city as it blurs off into a white, ghostly fog. To me it looks like they are the pillars supporting the picture. The rest of the gallery was just as interesting, showing weird and wonderful pieces and some questionable, like any other ‘Modern’ art gallery I suppose. I also visited the museum of Mexican history in Monterrey, the building started at the beginning with the indigenous, myans ECT and worked its way up to modern day.  From spears, temples and creating calendars to American invasion to Spanish invasion to revolutions, corruptions and film and TV… The building was well set out, all the information on the first floor with interactive activities for kids and interactive screens which were mostly bilingual (the information on the walls and generally most of the museum was in Spanish) But never the less I enjoyed learning and observing. There were school classes in there when we arrived and  they ( mainly the younger girls) seemed slightly interested at staring at me, as if I was on display… but I got used to it quickly as they whispered and gawped, it was kind of a novelty… or rather I was. In the middle of the Mexican time line circle was a separate area showing and explaining Mexico’s habitat, mainly desert, and the animals and plants the people of Mexico co-inhabit with.

Also in this week, on the Tuesday, we went to watch Lucha Libre. This is something I was told that every Mexican and visitor has to see at least once. This is a statement I fully agree with… Tuesday night is not a big night, more amateur let’s say. This doesn’t mean the crowd gets less into it. Oh the crowd now there’s a hell of a mix of people, let’s see well there’s families with small enthusiastic children that run into the ring between fights and imitate the action, entertaining. Then there’s the far extreme with the groups or singular old men with beer and nuts shouting and drinking at the back. Then also the teenage groups of girls looking pretty for the guys and the guys looking smooth for the girls… also the odd couple shyly on a ‘date’. Then there’s me, Silvia, Silvia’s mum Silvia and Dario, her cousin. Amazing. The evening consists of several fights, some one on one, some pair on pair getting better as the night goes on. One was ‘American’ apparently… but they played on this to aggravate the crowd and entertain and they loved this. Another big hit of this night was the two on two except one of the two consisted of pulpo and Pulpito and a third guy… they let this off as a three as pulpito was very small, a midget. He was amazing; I got a photo with him. It’s the best ever. Ha. Pulpo and pulpito means octopus and baby octopus. Classic! The opposition used him to throw back at his team, hugely entertaining and inappropriate I guess. All in all it was an amazing night.

On the friday night we hit up the nightlife of Monterrey… well we went to one club- cafe iguanas- but it was as if there several in one. First we listend to the live band for abit with our Cauama’s ( big bottles of beer for 50 pesos ) which are given to you in brown paper bags, classy Then silv and i went to the Big hanger like room where they were playing a kind of techno / regatton sound for a bit of a dance. Back to the band and it was a different one this time, rock now. finally when they finished we hit the main big room once more with a big group of people and danced the night away. I was more than happy to leave the club and find they were selling pizza right outside. alwasy a good end to a night…

This weekend we drove 4 hours out into the state of Coahuila to the beautiful town of Parras. Parras was the first place in mexico to start making wine and apparently the first place in latin America too. Therefore a visit to Parras was not without its visits to Vineyards, we did this as we first arrived and just before we left the next day. The first one was large and we arrived just in time for a tour. Silvia’s friend Sherpa was my translator (also it was her family we were staying with here) I learnt about the processes and the different containers. The empty vines were beautiful crawling everywhere. After this we visited a church next door, it had the most interesting colourful display of mulicoloured ribbons covering the ceiling, you could say it was a real colourful energy boost that most churches genrally don’t posses.

After this the next couple of hours consisted of my roaming enthusiastically around the house that we were staying in, an amazing house full of photogenic beauties. Entering through the frount door into a small court yard with a small patch of plants in the middle and a terris at the back, you get feeling of openness and freedom. On the right and three spaced apart doors, one empty big room, one master bedroom and a kitchen. Then at the back on the left is another door leading to a dining room which in true Mexican housing style leads to another room which leads to another and finally leading to a bathroom. Also at the back is another patch of green and a ready built area for a fire, perfect. Later in the evening we ate an amazing Paella (the owners of the house own a paella restaurant) and had some amazing chocolate cake ( it was the fathers birthday)  We then retired out to the back and lit the fire where the father got out a sound box and a bongo drum, the beat commenced. This all accompanied with cold refreshing beer and friendly banter. Me, Silvia, Sherpa, Sherpa’s mother and father, Hector ( sepi), Dario, fire, beer and stars.  Perfect night. The next morning for breakfast we had molletes (bread, refried beans ( frijoles) and cheese- toasted, yum. We then visited the main central church/cathedral I wasn’t sure, which contained some pretty stunning statues and stain glass windows. After this church we headed towards and even more impressive church – Santo Madero church- which is located on an extinct volcanic plug.  In the small church is a room full of things and letters sent by people who’ve visited the church and feel it has helped or affected them, this room was beautiful, full of hope and faith. This place was spiritual and stunning; the views of the surrounding mountains all the way around were amazing. Defiantly a place to visit. Last stop before we left was another vineyard off the beaten track, the place was more sparsely set out with what looked like an old wealthy summer house on the grounds. It also had a hotel kind of thing in it which would be nice to stay at, I’m expecting a little pricier than I’m used to, but the peaceful out back here would be a true get away.

This weekend was, to me, a true pleasure to my eyes.  

Heading back to Monterrey again.

so last time i left you i was just back from vermont.. back to ny state and stayed another night in  norwalk… catching up on some well needed sleep after mad vermont weekend.

The tuesday morning i then got picked up at a beautiful hour of 7.30 to make my way ( about an hour) back to jfk airport, nyc. Flying with delta i flew to atlanta and then on to Austin, TX.  Going back another hour making me 6 hours behind the loverly uk.

Getting from Austin to my hostel was easy as pie, well easyer depends if you by the pastry ready made… just 2 shortish busses and a big ass back pack and a walk down a dodgy lane  with a peacfully dead roadkill cat ( not advised in the dark ) I stayed at another YHA hostel in an awsome location on the banks of the river.. across the whey from the city… a short bus ride and a stunning veiw, day and night. The hostel was nice, cosy and small yet friendly and comforting. Also i found a welsh street vocablry book on their book shelf.. an unordinary thing to see in a place where lots dont know where wales is…After venturing out to grab some food from a nearby market and cooking up some pasta i was ready to hit the hay after a long days travel.  Waking up early in a hostel is mostly enevitable for me as im not a heavy sleeper but genraly i welcome it, lets me make the most of my days away.

so my time in Austin, Tx was short but sweet… i started my day by making sure i had my greyhound ticket by catching one bus right across town, the hostel was very helpful and the bus routes here are easy to read. After this i wandered my way back to down town and stumbled acorss Austins art gallery, a really small gallery on the main street with one main changin exibition and some really interesting modern pieces, very interesting find.

The rest of the day was spent mooching around the town and taking in the sights, full of energy and charecter. Walking around the main state capital building was also interesting, a park like atmosphere and an important, very grand, building. I walked around here with a nice fellow that started talking to me… he explained some of the culture etc etc. As the light started to fade the magical signs lit up, bars and venues everywhere allowing you to find everytype of music you want. When i had to return to the hostel to gather my things i was dissapointed that i didnt have longer here. The bus ride back got several people talking to me asking where im from and then being captivated by my accent and asking me to talk.. say anything just talk… one fellow even asked me how the queen was… strange.

Back at the hostel i rusteld up the remainder of my food and headed outside to site on the patio looking out to the stunning veiw of the river and hte city. Here i met two guys from nyc and one from michigan, really interesting guys, one with a guitar, one a painter and the third, seperate to the other two just decided to move to austin after a short stay. whilst we were taking this guy got confermation of a lodgeing… he was happy. The guys were frendly and soon an aisan woman and two australian girls joined, the atmosphere was great, drinking and laughing… compleate strangers brought together by travel. One of my favorite parts.
Yet soon i grabed my bag, lugged it onto my back and walked off leaving them to continue the night with out me. i was gutted but i had sunnyer pastures ahead.

To the greyhound. Leaving at a gruling 12.20 am the bus was ment to arrive in Monterrey, NL mexico at 9 am. we got to the mexican border at 7ish and it took us hours and hours to cross it. The bus driver, knowing little english, roughly tried to ask where i was from… mexican, no? amrican, no? meh… so me and another lady had to walk into a small room, seperatly of course, and explain why we were crossing the border. The woman filled out my form… accedently put i was from ireland and didnt stamp my passport, i was childishly dissapointed at the lack of stamp… The bus was long, as could be expected, i watched hours of flat deserted lanscape turn into mountians and back again and when it finally got in at 12, 12 hours afer leaving …
Arriving at the terminal I get my first experience of waiting on someone that’s not there because I’m late. Lesson learned never go with public transport times… give or take an hour always, especially ones that cross borders. Silly me. But never the less an internet café comes to the rescue and I find number of people to call. Monterrey is a big city, the second biggest in Mexico, so getting used to the bus system here is a must if you’re trying to keep the expenses low and see the sights.
For me my first day in Mexico was brief, arriving at 12 after a 12 hour bus journey left me drained and out of sync, needless to say I slept for a few and then went out for a few beers, experience the Thursday night as a small bar. Get acquainted primarily with one of Mexico’s worldly known traditions, partying.
That weekend Silvia, her mother and I took a 4 hour bus journey in to the mountains, to Irtuvide a small town where my friend Silvia had started to study alternative tourism, which quickly changed. The town had little in the way of amenities but it was pretty, quaint and as always had a nice town center square. It was much colder here and in the evening it rained, the need for jumpers and warm clothes was imminent… crazy I know. We didn’t stay long here due to unseen circumstances… Sleeping here was quite bad for myself, it was cold and I was slightly unprepared, but also the dogs … whom mostly roam free and I was told they are scary and chase you when its dark… they barked and howled all through the night. Delightful. I awoke at 7 to walk up to Silvia’s class on the side of the mountain, the walk was light enough but the alteration in the altitude hit me a little, which I was given, picked then and there, herbs to munch on to help. The views here were stunning, breathe taking and full of luscious greens. It goes without saying that I spent about an hour and a half taking photos quite happily within a 20 m sq area, there was just so much. Walking through the town before leaving I noticed a lot of differences in the houses, some making do with what little they have and really its little amounts, and then there’s others, bigger houses.. But mainly jeeps that you notice. This is one thing that scares Silvia’s mum I think, about the place I mean, is the odd sense of money in some places… and out here sometimes that’s fueled by drug money but who knows?

so…

so far this has been a puiney attempt at a blog due to lack of internet and action.

so ill catch you up, big style.

so i left at the end of january, flew with BA to NYC, (jfk airport) flying from the newest addition to heathrow… terminal 5. A place its self worth a visit, stunningly designed (by whome im led to believe also designed the barakkas airport in madrid, another airport which is a landmark in itself, for me though none of them beat icelands rekjavik airport, thats art.

so arriveing at NYC at 9 pm ish after being delayed for extra security reasons ( for which i wish people would understand its for our own good, they knew it was going to happen so please dont whine!)At this time i was pretty tired, gaining 5 hours to a long day i headed into the city, easeily done.

so NYC in a nutshell ( if thats possible) i stayed at the YHA hostel on the upper west side ($26 i think) a Huge hostel with amazing facilities and i managed to catch their comedy night on the tuesday which was, well, a laugh. NYC to me this time was an atmopheric experiance, i soaked up many naibourhoods happily walking through the structured streets for hours, observing and exploring. The hustel and bustel of china town was a huge contrast to the welcomed calm of the village ( after a long day that is) Due to it not being my first time in NYC i didnt do the whole lets plan the day and hit every torist spot in the place ( and because i knew im coming back their in may (ish) time .. warmer. I’d have to say my favorite moment of those few days had to be sitting in Bryant park behind the library, it was full of energy.I sat the for an hour or so happily soaking in the people around me… people iceskating on the temp rink, children falling… adults falling. i was sat with two men to the right of men deep in a game of chess and then two men to my left tossing bouls, strangers drawn together on a cold winter afternoon to trow a small ball in a park, it was beautiful. The park also had wifi so with these activites all together it drew in quite a crowd, a mixed one at that.

Theres millions more to say but youll get bord and i have quite abit to catch up on…

so then it was the LIRR north to sunny derian and then over to norwalk. A medium sized (surburben ish) town. I roamed the streets for a short time but only really seeing the Aquarium. Being not a frequent aquarium visiter i cant compare how amazing it was but personaly i thought it had everything, Sharks, seals ( that you watch them feed.. one even had eye drops as he had cateract surgery) many many many different species of fish, penguins and an education corner where a nice man ( who lived in near liverpool once) showed you different creatures and told you fact about them, letting you touch them aswell… here i learnt that the blood from a horse shoe crab is very sought after and expensive due to it only having red blood cells therefore it clotts immediatly proving usefull and hugly time saving when testing new drugs and pharmisuticals. magical. I also had a day trip to New Haven visiting 2 Yale art Galleries which contained a interesting mix of every kinda of art in 2 smallish sized buildings. Passing through Yale campus also was something to see as its old english style buildings prove immpressing and grand. That day i ate lunch at a stunning little cafe/book shop where the books surrounded you while you ate it was close to the gallery and had the best brownies id tasted in a long time.

So that was Norwalk and New Haven, whilst here i stayed with a family friend and its times like that that i admire peoples hospitality, people id met only a few times before. like family.

Whilst in norwalk i managed to land myself a weekend in Vermont with other family friends, a huge score.

So on to Vermont… the 4 hour car drive from Norwalk took us to a small town of Ludlow, next the the mountains of Okemo. The house i stayed in was a stunning victorian-esk i think house, very grand, it was the family friends and they have had it for the past 25 years, a project that was renovated from a state, now more beautiful than ever. ( they also rent it out) Here immediatly i felt comfortable and at home, i several other members of our friends family, one asking me ‘ how good is your enlgish’ upon hearing i was a forgien friend… i hestiated to reply… better than yours… The big family atmosphere was amazing, something i love to see all over the world… one thing that is universal, you can find it anywhere, thats family spirit.

The saturday morning we woke up to a beautiful frost that looked as if the cold air had just frozen, coating every branch and cobweb with immaculat perfection, photographers dream. ( and it was) That day we Ski’d the Okemo mountain, the air was fresh and the skies clear… needless to say the veiws were breath takeing. The slopes alittle iced over but a really nice set up. I took to the skiing ok.. having a few Wipe outs allong the way… ill blame being destracted by the scenery. After this it was back to the house for more family fuled banter and fun, an interesting night with some amazing people.

This was the perfect end to a perfect week. feels strange to say that as i did so much in so little time… and took alot of photos already.

That was week One, 3 more posts and we’re up to date.