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Tour Du Monde, Update from Dennis:
Tejuantepec, Mexico
Date:
December 2, 2001
Hello all !
I hope this e-mail finds you all well.
I am writing from Tejauntepec. I arrived yesterday
after 3 surprisingly hard riding days out of Oaxaca.
Today I am resting. It sound as though my trip has
been a geography lesson for some of you at home. So
here is the lesson for the day. Tejuantepec is located
on the Pacific coast of Mexico about half way between
Acapulco and Guatemala. I finally escaped the
mountains yesterday. With the drop in altitude the
weather has turned hot and humid. I will miss the cool
mornings and evenings of the higher elevations.
I spent 3 glorious days in Oaxaca. If you are coming
to Mexico do not miss this city. It has all the charm
of Morelia along with a very active arts and crafts
community. The local artisans are known for their
ceramics, pottery and weaving. I did buy some unique
things. I was shocked at the cost to send them home.
You ready ? MexPost charges $50US to send a 7lb box
home that may arrive in two weeks. The only
competition they have are the overnight services.
Where is UPS ? It is times like these that I miss the
States. No regrets. One of my goals is to collect
unique items from around the world. So if you come to
Oaxaca bring an empty suitcase and shop to your hearts
content.
I was sad to leave Oaxaca. The city was beginning to
feel like home. I stayed at a youth hostel in a
private room. I had access to a kitchen, a ping pong
table along with a large clean room for only $12US a
night. There was a patio for breakfast and a second
story balcony for watching people in the street below.
We both made friends during our stay. Hostels ( the
good ones ) are a wonderful way to meet other
travelers.
Our first day out of Oaxaca included the Mixtec ruins
in the town of Mitla. In the center of the ruins is a
Catholic church built from the surrounding native
structures. To me it is a symbol of arrogance. The
Catholic Church's attempt to " civilize " the natives.
My trip is eclipsing some milestones. The 5th marks 3
months on the road. This is difficult for me to put
into perspective. Since I left the life that I knew
time has lost it's definition. I mean it can not be
the Holidays ! It is 90 degrees outside.
I got a first taste of the Pan American Highway. Yes
I tasted the exhaust fumes for the first 50km south of
Oaxaca. I was dreading riding a road with heavy
traffic 700kms to Guatemala. Then the traffic
disappeared. What a relief ! Our old friends the
donkeys and the cows appeared at the side of the road.
Their presence slows down traffic.
I will also surpass both the 3000 mile and 5000km mark
in the next few days.
My next goal is Tapachula. With five riding days and a
day off I will arrive in this border town on December
8th for The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. (A
Mexican holiday ) A day off in town and then I cross
the border into Guatemala. It looks so easy on a map.
I miss you all and keep in touch.
Dennis
Click here to read more about Scott and Dennis' Tour du Monde.
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