A Man and His Beard
Trip Start
Jun 21, 2008
1
15
35
Trip End
Sep 03, 2008
Acapulco,
Mexico
Monday, July 7, 2008
After 30 minutes or so, more and more Americans started to arrive and soon enough the whole restaurant was filled with others like us enjoying their vacation/adventure. It seems to be more common among the Mexican families to eat together on their patios or balconies (of the hotel) than go out for breakfast. But our families are at home in Ventura and Stockholm...we miss you guys!
We got on the road around 12pm but we only had a short ride and we arrived at Pie de la Cuesta (just outside of Acapulco) around 3pm. Pie de la Cuesta is this tiny village with only 200 inhabitants. The "touristy" part of town is built up on a sandbar bordered by the ocean on one side and a huge lagoon on the other. Yet, again we've found another paradise.
Hey Jess here - intermission time:
A Man and His Beard
What a super-tight relationship!...one that's always eluded me since early pre-pubescence. But it kind of makes me feel like the biblical Sampson, in a Mexican-midget-rodeo-sort-of-way...it holds water...like it's looking after my own hydration needs...it sticks out everywhere, in various shades of brown, blonde, red, and grey (how old am I?)...it blankets my face for insect protection whilst on the road...and every time I kiss Malin, I get the "ouch!" exclamation...which lets me know that her sensory system is working okay.
stunning!
For the most part I like it... a symbol of corporate freedom...but the chin strap of my helmet makes me itch, and the little prickles around my mouth remind me of my last meal (mostly good)... My older brother Johnny has been a certified ZZ-top beard wearer for a number of years, which is probably what intimidated me a bit on my early quest for the fuzzy experience...but after 3 weeks, I'm likin' it, and almost becoming legit!...so watch out Johnny...there's a new lumberjack in town.Ok, sorry that was lame, but it I've got a living Chi Pet on my face and needed to vent...anyhow forget it - we've been to Acapulco twice before, but we stayed at a nice hillside villa and clubbed at the hilltop hotspots and never had to deal with downtown Acapulco...a pretty gritty inner-city scene...so we chose to stay just 10 miles outside of town, at Pie de la Cuesta (literally, "the foot of the grade"), and what an awesome decision it was...a beautiful seaside resort for $50 a night...a pool, great room, and tons of tasty restaurants all around...for dinner I opted for Pulpo a la Diabla, which means Octopus of the Devil...a spicy tentacle-laden dish that's right up my alley. Malin chose the Tempiquene, which is grilled beef with rice, guacamole, and an enchilada...stable food for her wishy-washy tummy.
Sitting on the beach after dinner, we lost focus and got caught by a rouge Mexican wave...it soaked everything...including our guide books! No need to worry...maps...we don't need no stinking maps!
Once again, Pie de la Cuesta is another place we could have spent a week...but every morning we wake up and heed the Call...repeat the process we know so well - clothes in the dry-bags, electronics in the left hand side case, maps and books in the tank-bag...double check the room for anything we may have forgot, check tire pressure in the Paradise Peddler (the bike), load up the luggage, and hit the open road.
Comments
Itchy & Scratchy
Jesper, I can lay dollars to donuts that that there possum on yer face needs a bit of scratchin' and itchin' a bit more than when yer chin strap is a rubbin' agin' it. Just bear wit' it lil' brutha an' you'll have a fine crop o' whiskers.
Happy and Beautiful Photos
You both look so relaxed and happy. Your beard looks like it would be so itchy, Jess. :) The hotel is gorgeous and you deserve to stay there a couple days and rest your bums before getting on the bike again. I like that photo of you, Jess, deep in thought looking out on the ocean with the gathering stormy clouds. The one of Malin on the beach is so pretty.
Love,
MOM
Looks like it's working...
That beard must be working.....I haven't heard anything about fancy coffee drinks. It also makee you look deep in thought, more mature, distinguished. Malin on the other hand needs no help, she's a bueat just the way she is. Ride on brother and Sista.
Adam (VCMC)
Now I get it
First of all - Hi Guys! It's great to see how you're making your way down there - I'm sending you good vibes and hope they help along the way...
As I read through your blog I thought how it's really great that you're having such an awesome adventure. Then it occured to me that we have things called airplanes that make travel really easy. Of course, you know that. So, that got me to thinking through various aspects of your trip and I think I get it now.
Searing desert heat, torrential downpours and a daily GI obstacle course for the ages are not things people choose to endure without purpose. I know this is all supposed to be about your trip to Panama and back but, well, you could just fly there. So there really is more to it, right?
You don't have to drive down one side of Mexico and parts of Central America then back up the other on a motorcycle. Unless you're looking for something. Unless you're looking for something you can only find off-season when there are not a bunch of tourists around. Looking for something you will not find in the city. Something you won't find unless you change your context and challenge your perceptions of reality as you have come to know it through a formal education. Something elusive, ethereal and mystical. Something you hope to find in the barren desert or the tropical forest. Something that can only be seen through the bleary eyes of a dehydrated travel weary hunter. Like a peasant farmer, I'm sure you seek chupacabra. Any sign of the pesky creature?
BK
Feed the need...
I read this blog days ago. I'm jonesin' for new blogs. Are you in some remote village that has no internet access? Or have you been nabbed by federales on trumped up charges? Have you made it so far as to be kidnapped by Sandanistas? (Uh... sorry to worry you Mum, if you're reading this. I'm sure things are just fine.) However, I'm looking forward to the next installment of the adventure with Dread Pirate Roberts and Buttercup.
vacation
This blog and another TBS re-run of Chevy Chase's 'European Vacation' are vicariously living enough! Who needs to take a trip now . . . but please keep the blogs coming! The Audrey and Russ substitutes don't really cut it in the sequel.