Day 119 (Sunday September 12, 2010): Tapachula, Mexico to San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

Only the pang of loss cuts the excitement of meeting what will be my consistency in the coming months. But only just a little. =D

Day 118 (Saturday September 11, 2010): Xela, Guatemala to Tapachula, Mexico.

I miss the first bus at 4 in the morning but I do not need to wait long before the next one arrives. At Coatepeque I switch buses but it doesn’t get very far before we hit a major traffic jam. This forces me to carry my extremely heavy bag (around 80 lbs) with non-ergonomic straps for 3 kilometres. At which point I start hitchhiking to the border.  A very smooth transition but I am certain one of the transit police faked a problem with me leaving the country without my now deceased motorcycle just to extort money.

Day 75-117 (Friday July 30, 2010 to Friday September 10, 2010): Xela, Guatemala

Spanish School. Studying. Working at King and Queen. Bike Fire. Tal vez, me encontré la chica de mis sueños. Que es la vida.

That's a tight guillotine choke.

Going for the double-leg take-down.

Day 84 (Sunday August 8, 2010): Último día de mi motocicleta.

Tim and I were exploring the mountains surrounding Xela when we got to a fairly steep section. I drop the bike at very low speed into mud. While picking up the bike, Tim suddenly exclaims that my motorcycle and I are on fire. I drop the bike and start rolling around after which we start pouring water and dirt over the motorcycle. However, all actions are futile and in less than half a minute the bike is in flames.

The day before.

Goodbye.

Day 74 (Thursday July 29, 2010): Xela, Guatemala

First day of classes and the first day with my host family.

Day 73 (Wednesday July 28, 2010): Xela, Guatemala

I sign up for classes at El Portal Spanish School and hike to some natural steam baths.

Day 72 (Tuesday July 27, 2010): San Cristobal de Las Casas to Xela, Guatemala

I get to the border at around 9:30 in morning and immediately spot a rider, Kevin Isfeld, from Canada on a BMW R 1200 GS. He is having troubles at the border because of a misplaced temporary import permit. Luckily, Jesus Orozco, a Colombian rider I met in Oaxaca on a Suzuki V-Strom riding from Nebraska, passed through and helped to clear everything up.

An Italian girl that cooked one of the better meals that I have had recently in San Cristobal was also having troubles renewing her Tourist visa. Apparently, strong Spanish skills, attractiveness, being female, and tears get things done.

Talking and having lunch with these characters carries me into the afternoon which is primetime for the rain. By the time I pull into Xela two hours after the border I am soaked and shivering even in my raincoat.

Day 70-71 (Sunday July 25, 2010 – Monday July 26, 2010): San Cristobal de Las Casas

New friends, old friends, and horses.

Memory Loss

The large amount of time between updates has fogged my memory. Therefore, dates may not be correct and details may not be as vivid.