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The Journals from the Road
March 2: Finally downhill to the big city! Oaxaca City, Oaxaca State I went to the same school this morning and found the director. He said that I couldn't speak to the kids without written permission from the Mexican government. I used my persuasive speaking skills to no avail and finally thanked him, slightly irritated, and headed out. I couldn't stop the 100 kids from surrounding me and my bike so I answered a few questions and then headed outside of the school gate and then south to the highway. This was the second school out of about 20 that has not let me speak. I was disappointed but soon recovered. I am sure it will happen again. I finally started going back down hill, which was very nice. I stopped for a few break with some construction workers, who were also on a break. We all ate in the shade of a bridge and then parted ways. They work 6 days a week and live in a dorm, of sorts, off the highway a bit. Tough work!!! I finally came to the long anticipated Oaxaca City! I followed the signs to El Centro and put my city riding tactics on full alert. The passenger buses are the ones to watch out for always stopping and going and pulling off to the side of the road. When I got to the center, I relaxed for a bit and noticed a few travelers, very easy to spot, probably just like me! The city center is a relaxed but happening place. With couples chatting and kissing on benches, kids playing near fountains, and families roaming in the shade of huge trees. A policewoman helped me with directions to a hotel I had read about in my Lonelyplanet guidebook and headed out to find it. Prices had been substantially raised since the book was written so I checked out option B and C. Option B won and Hotel Lupita became my home for about $7.50 USD (70 pesos) a night. It felt so good to leave my bike locked up in my room and head out on the town without it. I was really incognito but I was not stared at as long as I usually was with my bike. I tried out an AWESOME vegetarian restaurant called Restaurant Manantial Vegetariano. I sat down next to a boy who was working there named Francisco. Francisco, right away, impressed me. He was extremely cordial and outgoing. We talked about a lot. He told me that both of his parents had died. His mom died of a sickness and his dad was accidentally shot by some hunters about six months ago. He is now twelve years old and was taken in by the man who owns this restaurant and another like it. Francisco works from 9-1 at one restaurant, then bathes and goes to school from 3-7 and then works at another restaurant til 10pm. He is a brave and optimistic guy! He wants to become a doctor someday and help people! I also spoke to the owner of the restaurant and the waiter. The owner has a son living in Sweet Home, Oregon and I have the owner the name of a great vegan restaurant in Portland, the Paradox, for his son to visit and get some tips. The waiter was studying to become an architect in a nearby university. I learned a bit of another language from Francisco. He told me that tree was H'cact and that dry tree was H'cactee (soulds a lot like cacti in English to me.) I taught him how to say "Welcome to my restaurant!" in English. I left full and happy! What a treat to sleep in a bed!!!! That's all for now! TAD |