Surfing The Mexican Pipeline
Trip Start
Aug 26, 2005
1
116
126
Trip End
May 26, 2008
Puerto Escondido,
Mexico
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Puerto Escondito means Hidden Port in Spanish and is relatively nice place. Home to sandy beaches, palm trees and a super big wave - the Mexican Pipeline, it attracts the standard beach bums and travelers searching for the endless summer. They may have found it here.
My travel companions at this stage are Kiwi Shannon and an English bird [name]
We were told that [hostel name] was a great place to stay, close to the beach and full of firnedly travelers. It didnt take us long to find it, a great big towering white building shot up far higher than its neighbours and we eventaully found a few alleyways to get us there.
Checkin was strict and rude. I tried to palm off a $20 bill that had a small tear in the top corner. It was rudly rejected and thrown back at me. the last of my money, I promised i would head to the bank after i checked in but this tool wouldnt let me even put my bag down without payment. Shannon came to the rescue and a few minutes later, we were crashed out in a 6 bed dorm. Night buses are hell and impossible to sleep on, so after 3 hours of power, we emerged, ready to checkout the hidden port.
Down an alley and across the road from the hostel was a realatively nice beach - the hidden port. Not so hidden after all. It was warm and still and the ebach was packed with Mexican holiday makers. Not too many toursits in site, the locals were staring at us as we walked along the sand and put our toes in the absolutely freezing cold water. Were not in the Caribbean anymore I said.
Deciding not to jump in, we continued walking along the beach, getting hassled by kids selling old plastic cups full some kind of shrimp cocktail. No thanks.
Back at the hostel a drinking session was beginning and after a quick trip ot the local supermarket, we joined in with a few 6 packs of 'Sol' a popular a cheap Mexican beer. the crowd grew and at 8pm, we were harassed by that rude staff member and told to go to the roof if we wanted to party. We did just that and moved to the top floor of the hostel. With a beer fridge, pool table and stereo and a few couches, we wondered why we didnt come up here earlier. A few more hours passed and the music was turnned up, along with our voices. Once again we were rudly interruped by that same guy, who told us that outside alcohol is prohibited in the hostel. They wanted us to buy the alcohol from them. this guy proceeded to confiscate bottles of rum, vodka and beer, woah buddy, we fired up and a fight almost broke out. he lost, and in his temper tantrum told us all to get out.
no problem, it was getting late and this party needed to move on. We took our alcohol down to the beach, polished it off and hit a local club. Free entry, and ladies night. If the girls drink for free, then I do as well. I made great friends with a few girls there and was rewarded with free alcohol all night. We got a bit loose and decided it was time to go.
Walking along the road, we found a few beachside shacks / bars and thought with the bargaining power of all of us, we should be able to score some freebies. And did we ever, one shack was offering all we can drink shots of mezcal, tequilas cousin, a nasty concoction smelling very much like metho.
We all had a few shots and danced the kanguruuu and played beach volleyball , until a street dog popped our ball. I woke up in my bed the next morning, so i guess i made it home ok. more than i can say for msot of our fellow travelers.
The next few days were spent doing much the same, a day at the beach, a spot of surfing and night time shinnanigans.
