PUERTO ESCONDIDO (1st of 2 posts today)

It’s been a transformational 9 days as we are now in a totally different, more traditional, part of Mexico. From Playa del Carmen we took a van and a flight from resort green to the 50,000,000 people of Mexico City. The surprise was the nearby snowcaps --- Mexico has champion skiers!

From there another flight to the mountain town of Oaxaca, known for veggies and silver. Main sights are the 15^thC cathedral and surrounding park. (And I finally found a rare red and tan Mustang!). Lots of churches and a really progressive pedestrian-only street. Coffee shops, galleries, dining, students, and gawkers like us. Breaking the spell was a gruelling overnight 10 hour slow bus ride.

But we had crossed 3 mountain ranges to get to Puerto Escondido, on the Pacific Ocean not far from Guatemala.

 Our one-month one-bedroom rental is on the second floor, breezy and magnificent ocean views. It’s run by Giuliano and Roberta, an Italian couple big on nutrition and friendliness. In the yard are papaya, coconut, mango and banana trees! The drawbacks are NO television, No microwave and NO oven, no toaster, no can opener, etc. --- could you get along without those? On our dirt road is constant old Mexico. Roosters by night, feral dogs by day, blaring brass bands, itinerant preachers, even dynamiting one block away. Almost no one in town speaks English. Even garbage fires in 85F heat. But unlike last month, we finally have a covered balcony with sea breeze and sea view. 

The morning hike on the wide sweep of beach can go two ways. One is to the central shore, but on the way is a small hill with steps that’s a miniature old pueblo village. What’s amazing is a daily buzz as the fisherman sell their overnight catch. Very interesting, colourful, and friendly.

The travel has left me with an infection in the throat, nose, and ears --- I can’t hear on my right side! Local doctors are cheap (C$3 for an exam, $20 for 2 prescriptions). So we’re hoping the antibiotics cure everything and I can get back into the waves with the surfers --- check out part 2 today!