I just went walking in search of a mask museum. I was so concerned with looking around for it that I didn't notice a step in front of me and..."BOOM!" I ate it. Now I am dirty and my knees hurt.
Well, this trip is nearly over, for I head back to Mexico tomorrow, but the heat has been nice and the views have been wonderful. But first, I had totally forgotten to write about Monte Alban near Oaxaca. Monte Alban, now an ancient city, was the first planned city in the Americas. I love wandering through, reading about, ruins...whenever I am exploring them I always try and imagine what they must have looked like some thousand odd years ago. Many must relate to the curious desire to touch what you know was touched by so many so long ago.
Anyway, my three days in Puerto Escondido were nice and VERY relaxed. There is a HUGE traveler seen there, so while days are spent on the beach, nights are filled with drinks and dancing at the many nearby bars. I wasn't really impressed with the beaches themselves until my daytrip to Mazunte about an hour away. Mazunte, while ever so small, was a sight to stop for.
Now I write from beautiful Acapulco. Most people I have run into didn't really like it here, but I must differ in opinion for the beauty of the bay alone. I kept hearing how dirty the water is, and having seen dirty waters in India, I was expecting the beaches to be must worse. But they are quite the opposite. There is actually a historical museum that I went to yesterday where I was completely educated to the happenings within the port years ago...maybe I have been ignorant to information I should already know of, but apparantly Acapulco (serving as a direct connection to Manila, Phillipines) was integral to the intense cultural exchange between New Spain and the far east. Having been to the far east, this interested me.
Another thing I forgot to mention previously: people come from all over by FOOT to the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico D.F for Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on December 12. I am told they come as far as Guadalajara, walking for nearly 3 weeks and camping out at the Basílica thereafter until the big day. The Basílica itself is arguably the most important pilgrimage site in all of Mexico and among the most important in Latin America.
I will return to write again soon; I have yet to speak of my latest dive! Seeing as how it has been three years since my last, it was an exciting event.
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