Run to the Border

We left San Miguel de Allende early to begin our long journey all the way to Nuevo Laredo ... 550 miles!   The ride was uneventful.  We had breakfast in San Luis Potosi, a nice coffee stop in Matehuala, and a lunch stop in Saltillo.

We also had a nice lung-intoxication episode as we passed Monterrey ... unbelievable pollution ... from a distance you could see a thick, rust colored cloud over the entire valley ... and as we descended into it from Saltillo ... eyes, throat and nose felt it ... nasty stuff!

Once in Nuevo Laredo, we headed to check our bikes out at Customs (no line!).

This is the official end of the trip.  What an adventure - all the way to Oaxaca!  And we managed to arrive and stay together (most of the time : ) ... all 8 motorcycles.  Good job to all!

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And, to end this blog ... here is a nice saying that was outside our hotel in San Miguel - a great summary of many of the places we visited in this trip:

"A small city or village provide a friendly setting, a welcoming sense of belonging, opportunities to be with friends, harmonize with nature, healthy walking and enjoyable strolls, blue sky, pure air, tranquility and peace ..." 

Concert in the Plaza

The girls stayed in Puebla and took a cab to the Mexico City airport to head back to Dallas.  This way we were able to start heading north without having to take them to the airport through the always-fun and challenging traffic in Mexico City.

The ride to San Miguel de Allende was uneventful, and fast, on a 4-lane highway almost all the way with little traffic ... but a lot of toll booths.  As we arrived in San Miguel, we stopped for a scenic picture at the top of the hill and headed down into town on a steep and fun cobble stone road.  Our hotel was in front of the famous Instituto Allende (art).

We spent the day walking around, visiting the "jardin" and the Cathedral, having lunch, and churros, and flying the drone all around the plaza for some amazing pictures and movies.  See some pictures below.  

We also saw a concert by the military on the plaza that was supposed to start at 6pm but, in good Mexican time, it did not start until 7pm+.  While the concert played, the church bells were going off, a mass with a choir singing next door was also going on ... all in all, great fun, and controlled chaos. Mexican style.

Tomorrow we head straight north to Laredo.  A long 9-10 hour ride with a potential stop in Monterrey in case we are too tired to continue.

The Old Oaxaca-Puebla Road

We left Oaxaca early after another great breakfast.  The old road between Oaxaca and Puebla proved to be a great experience.  Riding through the internal mountains that separate these 2 states allowed us to see a little more of the real Mexico.  

Lots and lots of not-stop, tight turns, up and down the mountains from 5,000ft in Oaxaca,  to 8,000ft in the mountains, down to 3,000ft in Teotlitan where the Green Macau Sanctuary is located, and back up to 7,000ft in Puebla.  Great ride.  We even made friends with the state police (see picture) and I managed to score another patch for my jacket from them.

Arrived to Puebla around 4pm and headed straight for a great lunch in the open patio at the convent turned hotel where we are staying.  Later, we went out for a walk in town -- churros, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, people watching, picture taking, crafts and arts shopping.  Just another day in another great Mexican town.  

Tomorrow we head north to San Miguel de Allende as we make our way back to Texas -- hopefully it is warm by the time we get there!

Chilling ... and Mitla

Today was a free day for all to explore Oaxaca a bit more.  Andy, Alicia, Craig, David and Jodi headed to explore the amazing archaeological site of Mitla in the morning; Pam, Bob, Rene, and Jim headed to the municipal markets to explore food, crafts, and hangout with the locals; John, Holly, and Richard went out to shop and explore art galleries.  Fun day of running into each other in different parts of town, doing different things, having cappuccinos here and there, and enjoying life.

Today was Alicia's birthday so we went out to the #1 rated restaurant in Oaxaca armed with an amazing chocolate and tres leches cake.  Great food, great location, great service, great friends ... all in all a great way to finish the day.  Happy birthday Alicia!

I also had the chance to meet with Jaime Palau and his daughter, an old college friend of mine that lives here.  Great to catch up and learn more about life in Oaxaca.  Learned about geography, politics, the Triqui Indians and their political aspirations and more.  His family has been here for a long time and he is involved in many things - newspaper columnist (baseball), entrepreneur, philanthropist, mezcal maker.  Amazing how friendship links from when you are young remain for so long.  Is it because when we are young, we are a truer version of ourselves?

Tomorrow we start our journey back to Texas.  We have decided to take the old road back to Tehuacan, which apparently will take us through some spectacular scenery, and then on to Puebla for the night.

  

The Zapotecs - Millennial Power

After a great breakfast in the great old rooms of our hotel, we headed to Monte Alban, an amazing archaeological site at the top of a flattened mountain that was the center of power of the Zapotecs from 500BC to 500AD ... 2,500 years ago!

I finally got to fly the drone.  What a great way to take pictures and video of such an amazing and magical site ... well, until the staff came to tell me that drones require special permits from somebody in downtown Oaxaca.  So the party had to end : )

Lots of interesting facts about the Zapotecs who built Monte Alban - this city and Teotihuacan were the first major cities in Mesoamerica.  There is evidence of trade between them and even with some Mayan cities to the south.  Lots of astrological alignments and interesting facts.

Came back to Oaxaca to have lunch at a restaurant on the main plaza.  Our table was on a balcony overlooking everything.  It is Tuesday and it seems like everybody is out, again, just enjoying life.  Nice.

After lunch visited some of the great art galleries in town.  Truly impressive art. It is interesting to see your brain taking in all these new things, colors, arts, ways of life, perspectives ... a great way to expand your perspective on things.

Tomorrow, the plans are to visit Mitla and/or explore the roads in the Sierra Madre Occidental towards the Pacific Coast.