Squeaky Boot

So we hop back on a second class bus to view the ruins at Tzintzuntzan, "the home of the hummingbirds", and major political and religious center for Michoacan in long ago days. These people couldn't be conquered by the Aztecs, in part due to their vantage point high above the lake. And yes, smallpox later did conquer them. But back to the story...we took off to go to the ruins and I'm all excited that this could be some existential, or universe-touching-me-through-it's-sheer-awesomeness moment. I have this build-up because at our hostel in Patzcuaro, this British girl Julie had told us the night before how she spent the day up there meditating, and that she was STILL tingling and that it was "really weird and powerful". She also met some dude there, who told her he had ... read more

After leaving Mazatlan on the evening bus, we were head to a little mountain town called Zirahuen. Rosita (from Port Hadlock) had recommended it as a lovely destination, out of the way. She and Jim were to be there, so we figured, "why not meet them?". After an overnight bus and a short taxi ride, we were delivered into this small pueblo, nestled in the mountains, cradling a crystal clear blue lake. After hiking on cobblestones uphill for a couple of miles, we really needed a beer. First stop. Funny thing is, we were in town five days and made many friends, including other gringos surprised to see us wandering around. Koo and Jeff are New Hampshire folks who bought a house two years ago in town and have been remodeling it. We tramped around their ... read more

On February 6, 2010, we left Port Townsend at 6:00am, to head to the ferry and then hop on the Amtrak, riding 40 hours to San Diego. After jumping on the Greyhound in San Diego, we rode to Calexico and walked across the border, into Mexicali. We then rode Elite bus line for 24 hours to Mazatlan. A short walk later and a small boat ride, we landed on Isla de la Piedra. We walked to our beachfront hide-a-way, Chabella's. We have a small room and bath, a lovely covered patio/porch, where we get in some morning Pilates, and a kitchen palapa. We've patronized our local vendors for fruits and veggies and Che brings us great Manguabo fish. We're laying low here to recharge until tomorrow. We've taken in most of the island on foot, climbed ... read more