And now a 1000+ words from Karen…
Sidewalk sales in Antigua
Most people agree that a picture is worth a 1000 words and this post puts that thought to action. These are the people, places and things Karen has seen in our trip so far. Most of the captions are by FW.
People
Sister and brother (?) in Antigua, Guatemala
Mom and son in Antigua
New Year’s selling blues. Vendor at the main park in Antigua during the New Years celebration.
I can smell them from here. Making fresh tortillas as you wait.
Guatemalan version of a hot dog cart: corn cart. She “schucks the corn, hammers it onto a stick, and offers mayo, mustard, coconut,lime or salt.
Not in the mood for corn-0-stick? How about grasshoppers with lime and salt? Mmmmm
The primary way Guatemalans carry things. And, most things are carried by the women. Men are the hunters after all:)
San Cristobal market
Selling drums by demonstrating your work.
Night life in San Cristobal was active, very active. One of several bars we hit one night, all of which had live music.
Not quite yet, sweetheart
Along the way
This bridge in Mexico looked like it just collapsed, which made us wonder how strong the temporary one is.
OK, here’s a test: what in the back of this truck? Answer a couple of pics down:)
This is a very large bull in a Toyota Tacoma small pickup modified with steel gates. More surprising than how the bull stands during this trip is how the helll he got up the 3+ feet to the bed:)
Service is brusque to say the least at this hotel. Is this a retreat for couples who need an encounter session?
Answer to the above quiz: We have a turkey top dead center, surrounded by chickens that are tied town. At least two people are in the truck bed.
I’m thinking this is the beginning of a grass-roots movement to legalize pot.
The road to one of our hotels. Try coming up this at night after 10 hours in the saddle
There were some rewards at the end of the road, though.
Our entry in the Duct Tape Unintended Uses Hall of Fame. The lower half of my left sleeve was burnt off by NV’s exhaust pipe.
This is more like what our first view of any city is. This is Antigua.
FW wimped out upon coming to this hill (which we couldn’t see just how steep it was) and tried to execute a U-Turn. Bad idea. But, we got to meet some of the neighbors.
And the result
These volcanoes have played a major role in Guatemala’s history.
“What kind of adventure travelers stay in a hotel like this?” Well, the kind that follow their Garmin through the barrio’s of Salina Cruz trying to find a hotel to no avail and then get lucky by finding this Mexican business hotel chain, located next to a Wal-Mart and Toks restaurant.
The art of motorcycle repair as practiced by FW. Take one large rock and pound pannier latch back into shape. This on the side of the road repair was needed when the right top of the pannier blew off in the wind.
40 mph cross winds when going 60+mph makes for an adrenaline pumping ride
Oaxaca straight ahead on the top of that peak. We’re about 140 miles away.
One of my all time favorites. Two-up riding into the mountains on the way to Oaxaca.
The art of selling
“Unique” display of mole in Acapulco
This is just one wall in one market in Antigua. Selection was not an issue. Quality? Perhaps more of a challenge.
You want selection? You want color? How about beads and beads and beads and…
Roosters anyone?
For those of you who think macadamia nuts are mainly from Hawaii, try again. Buy a handful and the vendor uses a hammer on the street to crack their shells/
Surf board rental display in Puerto Escondido
You want fresh and organic? How about watermelon slice right here and right now!
Can’t figure out if this was a display or a flower delivery van.
Who needs merchandising? Stop the truck, open the gate and start selling lettuce..
Walls and other old stuff
Revealing centuries of layers
Storage of old Christmas parade cars in a ruined church
Aged collage
More layers
The gathering storm
Built in the 1500’s, destroyed in the 1600’s, awaiting reconstruction
Awaiting
Awaiting
Awaiting
A most unusual fountain
Things
NOW we’re talking beauty. BMW R90S (I think) on display in a hotel in Guatemala. Father of the hotel owner road the bike until he was 85 when he became “too slow.” There’s hope for all of us:)
Romantic thoughts about flying yesteryear
Smoking not allowed, dogs are good. My kind of place.
Even Mexico is catching on. This is a sticker on one of the numerous plastic chairs that are the mainstay of furnishings in Mexico stating its made primarily from recycled plastic.
On a wall in San Cristobal. Translates roughly to “Each day full of dignity”
A restless traveler
this is what one looks like after making it back over the mountains from Ciudad Guatemala at night in traffic.
Half an hour later, FW still hasn’t recovered.
There is nothing as good as chocolate ice cream after a long day in the saddle.
I’ve never had any shoes or boots as shiny as my scuffed up m/c boots after this young man got done with them.
Looking forward to the road ahead.
Progress Update: We have made it to Oaxaca high in the southern central mountains of Mexico. It’s Tuesday the 7th. We’re staying in a 100+ year old nunnery converted to a high-end hotel. Our general direction home will be to drop back to the coast and its 90+ degree temperatures and retraces our steps back to PV.
This was marvelous!!!
Nice going KR!
xxox
Karen, I loved your pictures! Wish I could wander around in those markets. And that beautiful woven fabric! Thanks for posting. Hope to see you guys soon……..miss you.
Amazing! We want to be there! Love these photos, thanks.
Awesome !!!!!
Interesting photos, but tell me about logistics…
Fantastic photos and great comments. You crazy peoples should put together an album to describe your colorful haijira. Aneth and I loved the pics and the comments and felt quite envious of your trip…except for several of the hurdles you cleared, which at times appeared treacherous and uncomfortable. We hope for smooth sailing
ahead.
So much fun to read your reports.. Recall where we were 4 years? You keep on, keepin’ on.
I DO remember where we were four years ago. Chasing the Dakar was great great fun. I hope to go back again. fw
Terrific new web site. Brilliant pictures.
Karen great pictures. You have the eye of an artist. Many are prize winners.JdeB
Great photos, waiting for the book! Safe travels. CB