"On the Trail"

The Journals from the Road

May 2:   Hangin' with Pablo and Jody - Piste, Yucatan

Today, I had a great time just spending some time with Pablo and Jody. Pablo and I went shopping for fruit, vegis, tortillas, and bread. We then all converged in the dining room for a shared feast. That was a lot of fun. They are both architecture students on an exchange program from Canada. They too will be leaving Merida in just ten short days. Thanks, you two!

I got a chance to input some cyber text at an internet cafe and then I headed for the bus station. I got a ticket for the 8:00 pm bus to Chichen Itza because that was all they had but then convinced a driver to let me in on an early one if I stood. He was kind of a passive-aggressive fellow who agreed but then continued to curse the gringo once I finally got on. I decided not to get into his mood so I started talking with another standing fellow. He spoke english and so we spoke in mixture of both Spanish and English about his wife being sick, his work, and my ride. I also made a connection with a school secretary and plan to go visit a school near Villadolid. It has been a while since the last school visit because of spring vacation in Mexico. But now classes are on and so are our visits.

I made it into Piste, near Chichen Itza, by 8:30 but the power had gone off in the town and it was a bit spooky loading up my bike in the dark with all those people milling around. I found the center of town and talked to the police. They told me I could sleep where they sleep, in the back of the station. That worked great for me. I bought them pops as a bit of friendship insurance and ate a few Panuchos which are like tiny tostadas.

Tomorrow I ride to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza (or as my former 4th-5th grade class called it Chicken Pizza!)

Peace to ya,