My October '19 Report Card
Starting off the month on a 22 hour ferry ride sounds like some sort of hell, right? Actually quite the contrary! It was a start to an amazing month, and a really great way to share stories with fellow travelers. October has been a truly settling and amazing month. I couldn't be happier about it. Here is My October '19 Report Card!
Bon Voyage!
I bought my ferry ticket to leave La Paz and arrive in Mazatlan. The locals told me it would be a quick 12 hours, but upon arrival, they informed me I was in for much more than that. I got to the ship, and saw these huge tractor trailers being loaded to an even HUGER (yes, huger) boat! Seemed pretty daunting if you ask me. I mean, they can fit these trucks, they're certainly going to fit my tiny motorcycle.
There were so many people directing traffic. Telling us how to enter the boat with our vehicles, and where to continue when we got on. I figured I would go up the ramp, and just park my bike there. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, these people had other plans for me. They opened up this hatch that went straight to the very bottom of the ship! I had to drive DOWN even more!
A steep ramp led me to more people telling me where to park, but a nice surprise came about. I noticed two other bikes loaded down with tons of stuff as well. We all strapped our bikes down and headed for the passenger area. I was told it was freezing on the boat at night, so I brought my sleeping bag with me.
A total mystery...
I had no idea what the boat was going to be like, and maybe my imagination went for the worst. A bunch of people standing on deck all night just waiting to arrive. It was actually much better than I expected! A couple rooms that looked like airplane accommodations. Seats in rows with a huge tv in front. I got settled, and took a little nap before the boat departed. I realized they told me to come 4 hours early, so the motorcycle could be put in the correct place.
Once I woke up, I decided to go for a walk and check out the rest of the boat. There was a nice area outside with benches and tables where people could hang out, and that is exactly what I did. I caught up with some fellow travelers, backpackers and bikers alike. We traded travel stories for a while, and then dinner came around. Wait, DINNER?! I bought snacks thinking they were going to starve us off the boat. I'm so glad I was wrong on that front. The food was just as amazing as the company.
Stories of past travels...
After dinner, I noticed an older gentleman hanging out, just looking out to sea. I have to say, many Mexican people look very similar to Greeks, especially the older ones. I went over to start conversation, and I couldn't be happier I did. This guy, Jorge, has spent his life intermittently traveling the world as a videographer for a Mexican television program, and for pleasure.
I spent hours just listening to Jorge's stories, eagerly asking questions to hear more. I love spending time with older people and listening to what they have to say. They have stories out the wha-zoo, and most of them are pretty amazing. To hear what they recall from a different time in their lives is always a special thing. At some point in these conversations, you can tell they are really enjoying the trip down memory lane, and even sharing it with a total stranger!
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One of the stories he told me was about blindly going to Ethiopia knowing very well he couldn't get a visa. Him and his friend were determined they were going to make it happen! They ended up spending 10 days in the airport lounge, not allowed to enter the country.
So... How did he get in?
During these 10 days, he made friends with the cleaning guy. Everyday they would just talk to this guy with their hands, considering the language gap was 100% a problem. Eventually, the cleaning guy told the guards his sister was getting married, and wanted these two to help with the wedding. The guard eventually let them through, gave them a visa, and they actually attended the wedding! Stories like these are always the true value of being persistent while traveling.
When it was all said and done, I spent about 22 hours on the boat. I have to say, it really didn't feel like it. After conversing with people, and sleeping a good amount, the time went by quite quickly.
We arrived in Mazatlan and soon enough parted ways, each of us heading to our predetermined destinations within the city. Kind of like this whole trip, this was just a mini version of me not knowing what I was getting myself into, only to realize how grateful I am to have done so.
Mazatlan
It is always nice to break things up a bit from hostels, and reserve an AirBnB. Taking the time to just be by yourself on the road is just as important as it is at home. Irma's house was no exception. A quiet space for me to catch up on work, and SLEEP! This was one of the few AirBnB's where the host was next door, and fully willing to tell me what to check out.
After day 2, she decided to show me some good food spots, and even take me on a free tour of the city! Things I would have never seen without her showing them to me. For example, a ride through the oldest part of town where she grew up. Irma has spent her entire life in Mazatlan, and has seen it grow from a small town with plenty of nature, to what it is today! It is amazing to see how tourism can change a place.
El Faro
I think my favorite place in Mazatlan was El Faro (The Lighthouse). About a 40 minute hike to one of the highest lighthouses in the world, this place gave me the best view I could have asked for. On one side, the water. Boats patiently waiting for entry to the port, currents visibly moving through the sea. On the other? The massive city Mazatlan has become, stretching across one of the longest coastlines in the world.
Because of recent heavy storms, the lighthouse itself was closed. This didn't change the amazing views, and it was still very worth doing the hike. I ended up finishing each day I was in Mazatlan at this beautiful spot.
Note: This is one of my favorite spots in Mazatlan. If you are planning a trip here, be sure to read my post on what to do while you visit.
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MOUNTAINS!
Talk about a beautiful spot, the drive from Mazatlan to Durango was one of my favorite on this trip. It brought me back to the roads of Colorado, and the vastness of mountains surrounding me. I do enjoy beaches, although I am more of a mountain person. The water, the green, the endless possibilities to hike these breathtaking landscapes. There are many workers along this route, and I have to wave at all of them.
Without these people, my trip wouldn't be possible!
Keeping these roads maintained for travelers of all types, these people deserve a round of applause. About a 5 hour drive from Mazatlan (considering my recent change in driving habits), I made it to Durango. A very old city that has much to offer.
El Saltito
In a lot of places, mountains mean rivers, and rivers mean waterfalls. Just outside of Durango was exactly this. El Salitito offered an amazing view right from the parking lot. I head down to get a different view. As I am sitting there enjoying the waterfall, I couldn't help but notice this bicycle parked next to the water with no one around. I figured someone went on a walk or something, and just as I was thinking where they could have gone, this guy pops his head out behind the rocks next to the water!
Let's go fishing
I couldn't help but spark up a conversation with the fisherman. Having fished from a little kid with my grandfather, hearing new stories from other fishermen is always something I crave nostalgically. I finished my time in Durango with this amazing view, and felt it was time to move forward to my next spot, Zacatecas.
Historic views
Zacatecas is a very historic place. Apparently, the city was built back in the 1500's to mine various metals out of the mountain with indigenous slaves. Aside from the slavery part, this place seemed pretty cool. Huge, old, historic buildings all over the place. It just had this old feel to it. With men walking around in cowboy attire, it made it feel like I was living in a western movie.
One really cool thing about this place? I decided to walk the road up to the Gondola. This gives people the view of the whole city from above. Now, because I am doing this trip as cheap as possible, the gondola was not in my plans. The view, however, the view was definitely in my plans. Once I got to the top, I noticed a guy on a trial dirt bike. I waved him down, and we started talking about motorcycles. But can you believe...
He let me ride the trial bike!
When he asked me if I wanted to take it for a ride around the street, I could barely contain my excitement. I mean, how could he trust some stranger with a bike? I rode it for a couple laps up and down the street, and realized just how light this bike was. He could pick it up like it was a mountain bicycle! I swear, the locals on this trip are really making me feel welcomed everywhere I go.
Guadalajara
Ok, this is a big one in terms of feeling welcomed. I met my friend Karen back at the hostel in Cabo San Lucas. She told me she was from Guadalajara and she would show me around her city when I arrived! The time had come, and I arrived in Guadalajara. To be honest, when I showed up at the hostel, I didn't think I was going to stay more than two days. Like I said, I'm more of a mountain person! Well, yet again, I was quite wrong about this. It is nearly impossible to predict what comes in the future.
I'm going to save this content for a future blog post. Guadalajara was a place with people who made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. The things I experienced made me feel truly at home for the first time on this trip.
*Be sure to check out my post on everything Guadalajara has to offer before you visit!
Sayulita
A five hour rainy drive that was FULL of scary, deep potholes led me to Sayulita. This was probably the first drive in Mexico where the condition of the road made me pretty nervous. Regardless of rain and potholes, I made it to the GREENEST place I have ever seen. This was definitely jungle territory, and Sayulita was in a place of paradise. Beach on one side, jungle everywhere else.
The hostel-mates told me it rained pretty much every night, which makes sense, considering how green everything was. When they said rain, I couldn't imagine how hard it would come down until I actually experienced it. Jungle rain is a whole different beast within itself.
Guanajuato
I am finishing my month in Guanajuato. All the travelers I have met on the road have told me I have to check this place out! They certainly were correct on this assumption. I took a VERY difficult dirt road into the mountains to see some of the most amazing nature I have seen on the trip!
After this, I drove around the city, and realized I hit this place at the right time. IT WAS TOTALLY PACKED! People walking in the streets because the sidewalks were so full. I asked what this was all about, and the police officer told me it was called Cervantino. Quite the lively time, and this celebration lasts 3 whole weeks! I hit the tail end, and am glad I got to experience this while passing through.
Final Thoughts
There is My October '19 Report Card! This has been a month of feeling very accomplished and settled into this trip. I am so grateful for the people I have met this month. Some of whom? Friends I will absolutely be remaining in touch with for many years to come. Expanding my network of friends to all around the world has been a long time dream of mine. The fact it is coming true makes me utterly ecstatic.
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'Til next time,
Pete - A Traveling Teacher
P.S: If you are planning to visit any of these places, be sure to take a look at the links below. They will help you figure out what to experience while you are there!