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The Journals from the Road
February 24: Continued...
After the 'new-shoe-pick-up' game and a few more km it was almost 4:00, which is the time I force myself to start looking for lodging. I pulled into a town west of Puebla called Xoxtla (pronounced show-sh-tla) and inquired about a hotel. There was one but it was out of my price range. I spoke to three young guys there and they told me it was only 12-15 kms to Puebla. I decided I could make it there well before dark and so I headed out again. Just before I got to Puebla I saw this pickup truck with a gas meter of some kind in the back. At first I didn't see the smiling face but then I recognized Fernando. He had stopped to wait for me. I told him that I didn't think that I could make it on bike to his house but that I could put it in his truck. He thought that was great so we loaded up my bike, PeaceForce One. I was going to lock it onto the truck when I found that I didn't have the key that was usually around my wrist. We used his wife's belt (She wasn't there to protest.) to secure the bike to the truck. He drove me the last kms to his home, introduced me to his mother, who lives right next door (She had also lost her key so we shook hands through the gate, laughing at the comedy.). He then introduced me to his two daughters, Zahira (age 7) and Fernanda (age 1). He had to go back to work and his kids back to the baby-sitter's next door and I stayed in their home. He told me his wife was coming home soon so I was hoping she wouldn't be shocked out of her wits at the guy and bike in her home. Claudia came and after she heard my story said I was always welcome here. I am so thankful and impressed by this family's generosity. Later that night I met two of Fernando's brothers, Martin and Havier. We had dinner, I wrote my journals, and we all went to sleep. What a warm end to this first day back on the trail! The next morning Fernando gave me directions to a locksmith and to the highway to the south. A bowl of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and I am about ready to go. I am going to fix Zahira's flat tire on her bike and then I will head south. What a wonderful gift of new friends I have been given! Peace(Bike), TAD |