This is the scene the other morning when I left my house. No, I'm not traveling to Merida on a "beast of burden" but I just wanted to share this photo anyway. My dirt road in front of my house is part of the Royal Road that used to go through San Miguel from Guanajuato to Mexico City. Remnants nearby are marked with markers telling the story. It is common for groups of horsemen to come by my dining room window taking a shortcut and avoiding centro as they come out of the mountains and are headed "who knows where."
I love being headed "who knows where". It has been a while since I've done that - I think the last time was to Chiapas a few years ago. Gosh, has it really been that long? YUP. Life has intervened. The usual trips to Texas and the beach are trips, but not to "who knows where".
So, I'm excited to be heading to Merida, Celustun,(I've wanted to go there for at least twenty years) Vallodid, Playa del Carmen and "who knows where" for 10 days the end of February. I'll be traveling with Los Vagabundos which is a great group to travel with. If you want to go off on your own, they don't care or you can do everything they have planned. This itinerary is stellar. A few days in Merida. hope to meet mutual blogger friends while there. Then on to the other parts. The only places I've been in the Yucatan have been Cancun and many, many trips to Cozumel - prior to cruise ships. This will be a real treat. I'm psyched. I've paid, I'm going.
The dilemma is that the Maya Conservancy in conjunction with the University of Texas is leading an archaeological tour to very remote sites in Guatemala the end of March to coincide with a special fire ceremony in a remote village. Oh dear, I want to go on that trip too. I LOVE Guatemala. Unfortunately, not being made of money, I can't do both. But, as my son always tells me, "If it's important enough, you'll figure a way". Maybe I'll sell something to take this trip - art, antiques, who knows. It is a "once in a lifetime" adventure.
And as you know, if you read this blog very often, "adventure" is my middle name.
12 comments:
The Royal Road in Guatemala is worth the trip. I did a remote section a few years ago where my top speed averaged less than 5 miles an hour. They had the bulldozers busy taking the kinks out when I was there-go now before it's gone...
That's intriguing Norm. Reminds me of my drive to Batopilas at the bottom of Copper Canyon outside of Creel. Six hours to go 90 miles. That was the trip of a lifetime....or several lifetimes. Something I don't need to repeat, however.
I always have extra water and a stash of grub for my back country trips, 4x4 is nice as well. I've been on roads where I was moving rocks more than I was driving but the things one sees in a place like that are worth the effort.
On Royal roads: the old stage stops have been turned into homes for the most part but if you look hard you can still see their bones. I like looking for the old route, it is hidden down the hill or a ledge way up the hill, the traces are still there if you're watching.
Well I'm excited that you are coming to our lovely city. All of us, your blog friends here, will roll out the red carpet for you. Be sure and let us know when you are here and a good night for a party or dinner. It sounds like both trips are wonderful, I hope you can do them both.
Jonna, how wonderful! I'm excited about meeting all of you as well.
I'll let you know the dates in another comment. I have to go back to the email to get them......
Jonna - I know it is a LONG way off but I checked the itinerary. We arrive Thursday evening and leave Monday........Saturday we go to Celestun. So, Friday evening (2/24) or anytime on Sunday is good......that would be the 26th of February 2012.
I've wanted to meet ya'll for years now. Yippee!
I think that Friday the 24th sounds good but I will check with the others. If things continue as they have been, the dart players will be convening that afternoon at Hennessy's Irish Pub for fun, snacks and darts. We could start there and go on to dinner later. Darts has become a really fun group and everyone is invited.
How funny! In the late 80's I designed a Mexican Pub and British Cantina called Elvia's in Houston. The owner, a Wharton graduate discovered that darts were played at "off times" to traditional meal times and started dart tournaments. That place was packed all the time and he made lotsa money.
Babs, My name is Wayne from Fort Worth TX We met you Thanksgiving week at the outdoor cafe by the jardin.. You were with two friends waiting for a table.(I think one was from Austin TX) I got up so that you could have mine as I waited for the check You gave us a card. I really enjoyed San Miguel Hope to return this spring and stay longer. I hope to learn more about San Miguel before I return. Just wanted to say thanks for the hospitality Wayne
Wayne - Be sure to let us know when you're returning. You both were lots of fun! Look forward to seeing ya'll.
BABS
It will great to see you in Merida, Babs. I still think about the wonderful lunch I had with you and Steve Cotton last summer in SMA. I hope we can do that again in Merida!
I'm looking forward to it, Marc. See you in a month.
Post a Comment