Hotel Marcella Morelia

... roads were getting smaller and smaller and soon, we could<br>see cows and goats on the side of the road and rural taco joints and little<br>kids playing on the dirt road. I was definitely not where I was supposed to be.<br>At some point, we crossed the same bus going in the opposite direction. Both<br>buses stopped and the bus drivers talked for a minute or so to see how each<br>other's wives were doing. Then we left again. I decided I would get off at the<br>next "main-looking" place ...

... have all these dances and stuff going on. This security guard, who is Monika's friend, knows everything about Mexican culture. He would say something in Spanish and she would translate it into English for us. He showed us this tunnel that is all over the city. It was built over 500 years ago but knows most of it is blocked off. That's where the monks used to escape or anyone in the city if it is being attacked ...

... handmade guitars. The town square was beseiged by local indians selling fresh food and handicrafts. it was outstanding. every other shop sold guitars of various qualities. Simon bought a very acceptable guitar for $1400 pesos (about 75 quid) which ...

... classical guitar with a shell-pattern inlaid on the front and a body made of palo escrito (whatever wood that is). He stuck a pick up in it for me and gave me a case and sold it for a third of what you´d pay back home. So I´m happy. It sounds beautiful.

... couldn't be teh right one, we finally tried to kiosk. What do you know? She was right. Mea culpa. We bought our tickets for $500 pesos a piece (appx $50 USD) and proceeded to take a ton of pictures of the cathedral and explore the little artisan shops. We decided we wanted to go check out the cathedral, so changed into pants and shoes. The cathedral had an english speaking tour guide, and it was really ...

... is hard to keep track of) and headed across on a 50 hour trip, leaving early-afternoon and arriving mid-afternoon 2 days later. We were lucky enough to catch south winds and were making about 15 knots with calm seas. It was one of those pleasant sails that makes a person think "I could live like this forever!" We saw whales, dolphins, black rays and a couple of turtles. We sailed in the company of Blue Pteron (Paul and Dee) and took pics-under-sail of ...

... MODERN MEXICO, WHICH INCLUDES MODERN MEXICANS - AND, THE OTHER MEXICO, WHICH IS, IN EFFECT, A 3rd WORLD COUNTRY - A LOT OF MEXICO SOUTH OF MEXICO CITY IS THE OTHER MEXICO - THE NOT MODERN MEXICO (THE 3rd WORLD MEXICO). BUT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF MEXICO, THE TWO MEXICO´S LIVE SIDE BY SIDE. THERE ARE GATED COMMUNITIES HERE IN CHAPALA - TO KEEP OUT THE MEXICAN RIFF RAFF I ASSUME - I HAVE NOT TRIED IT BUT I WAS THINKING OF TRYING TO DRIVE INTO ONE OF THE ...

... favourable climate, and its gastronomic delights. Heading for the zócalo (main plaza), we were rather surprised to see legions of riot police seemingly preparing for action. Throngs of additional recruits drove up in pick-up trucks to take up their positions, but the Oaxacans appeared to take no notice of these activities as they continued with their leisurely walks through the balloon-filled plaza. We had a chat with a local policeman, who was busy enjoying an ...

I made it! After travelling for 16 hours I am here. I will stay in Morelia for the next few days whilst I do my Spanish course, which evidently is much needed as ************e speaks a word of English. The weather is great, it is pretty hot and the city is lovely. Haven't done any exploring yet as my task this morning was to work out how to get my money ...

... came over to talk to us...turns out they all close at mid-day on Saturdays... We decide to make the best of the situation and hang out for the day. A few people went shopping (they give out shots in most of the shops so you can taste before you buy). A few of us went on a search for a dive bar (guess whose idea that was???). So we come across bar Garcia. (I´m having a really hard time coming up with words to describe this place - one of the ...