"On the Trail"

The Journals from the Road

April 21:   Trying to leave Palenque - a revival, north of Palenque

This morning the plan was to see the ruins, do a few PeaceBike mini-documentaries, visit the museum, come back to camp, and cool off in the pool (which we only discovered today!). Things actually went according to plan and I got some more good shots at Palenque. I took my time packing up because I wanted to get things back in their places and journey ready. As I was packing my stuff from locker to trusty steed I decided to recharge my camera batteries. After about an hour all was ready and it was about 5pm.

I wanted to head into town first to pick up some supplies and then I would head north. I bypassed the center of town and stopped at a small store. I bought rice, pasta, crackers, raisens, oats, and (shame on me) I even bought some Cocoa Crispies. I was feeling very satisfied and ready to cook until I remembered I had no gas for my stove!

I had bought white gas before at a paint store and so I started asking around. A family recommended one but it was back toward the center. They said their was another along my route so I headed for it. It was closed. I asked some guys where I could buy "gasolina blanca" and they recommended the airport. I wasn't convinced that I could just walk up to some pilot and say, "Hey amigo, could you siphen off a liter of your fuel for me?" but they insisted it would work. Two kilometers later, at the airport, and it wasn't working. I asked many times in many different ways and finally gave up.

Back into town to the center I went as the sun was nearing the horizon. Again no luck, everything non-tourist was closed for Good Friday. At this point it was time to abort Operation Gas and expedite Operation Eat Whatever. I still wanted a fair deal so I asked around. An good fellow at a hat store suggested a place but when I went it was full and it was about an hour wait. I was feeling a bit more in a hurry and so when the fellow in a neighboring restaurant told me he would serve me up a vegi sandwich with fries for 15 pesos I was sold. I was thirsty and drank a whole pitcher of pineapple water. It has been months, possibly years, since I have chowed on fries but this was Operation Eat Whatever and I figured I could use a little grease.

Heading out nice and full felt good but it was also dusk and I was hardly out of town. I chuckled as I passed the same part of town for the fifth time.

Palenque seemed to stretch on and on. It was now dark and time to find a place to stay. I stopped and asked this couple at a busy intersection for advice. They were going to a christian convention and said that I could probably put my tent up there. They were very warm and reassured me that everything would be safe and well watched. I crossed into a big field-parking lot full of pickups, and family mobiles, like at some county fairgrounds at home. I found a spot for PeaceForce One next to a huge shed with about 200 hammocks hanging from it. I was impressed and very thankful for this good fortune, perfectly timed. All of the parking attendants-guards were pastors of christian churches in various local towns. I sat down under the main shed where some 2000 people were clapping it up for God. That was fine but the preacher was yelling so loud and furiously that I soon decided to play with the bored kids on the outskirts. It reminded me of Leap of Faith overdubbed in Spanish. No matter how loud the preacher howled I was still very thankful for the gift of lodging for the night.

On th PeaceBike trail...