"On the Trail"

The Journals from the Road

February 28:  Uphill all day! Tempelmeme, Oaxaca

The title pretty much sums it up. I was glad that I started out earlier today because I spent from about 9:30 - 2:30 climbing up and up. The scenery became quite barren and dry, similar to Baja with few more green leafies.

I met some construction workers who offered me water. I took it, thankfully, after asking if it was purified. I came across a truck stop at 2:30 and had a hearty late lunch of quesadilla, Papas de Raja(spelling?)( fried potatoes with slices of onion and chili), and orange juice.

Another hour after lunch and I came across a group putting in a foundation near the highway. I asked for distances to the next town and ended up with a place to stay the night. I stayed on a school teacher's patio. At night I got an evening tour of the new municipal building, the town center, the church, and even the library(open from 4-8pm, M-F, with some 5000 books). We spoke to some of her former students about what education is like here. It turns out that the middle school level courses are taught via satelite from Mexico City in this town. Then there is a guide in the local classroom to answer questions.

Back to my cookstove for some vegi stew and into bed.

Peace(Bike),