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The Mexican state of Jalisco
is reknowned as the birth place of Mariachi and Tequila. On the highway from Mazatlan to Guadalajara I passed
through the small town of Tequila. In the background you can see fields of Agave, the cacti used to make Tequila, Mezcal,
and Pulque - a much weaker drink served in Pulquerias everywhere in the Mexican Highlands. The sign in the photo below
reads: "Happy Travels, Tequila is Your Home."
I had a small flat tire problem
on the way out to the coast, south of Uruapan. After fixing the tire, I continued on, assuming everything was ok.
Unfortnately the small problem turned into a big one when the tube popped out between the rim and the tire, forcing me
to the side of the road. Beyond repair, I stashed the KLR in the bushes and caught a ride into the nearest town: Nueva Italia.
It was already 10pm by the time I found Pancho "el Gordo" Garcia Garcia (the "fat guy" with the truck) and
two other men to help lift the bike into the truck.
The next day Pancho el Gordo
and I drove 35 km to Apatzingan to get a new rear tire. Garcia Madril of Moto Servicio Madril told me it would take about
four days for the new tire to arrive.
Meanwhile I was supposed
to be 300 km away in Zihuatanejo to meet Gena and Spencer who had flown down from Seattle to meet
up with me. I think it was really just a good excuse for them to take a nice vacation. Spencer had also previously told
me that if I could make it to Zihuatanejo - half way down Mexico - he had faith that I could make it to the southern
tip of Argentina. Thanks for the confidence buddy!
Instead of waiting around for
the tire, I left my bike behind and took a bus to Zihuatanejo. Seven hours later I arrived at the coast, on
a chicken bus rather than riding in on my steed as I had envisioned.
It was a good lesson that things
don't always go according to plan. As long as we don't try to force anything, events usually work out as they ought to.
A nice fishing village which has developed into a small
tourist destination, Zihuatanejo still maintains a lot of its original character. The main town has small hotels and restaurants
as well as local fishing boats lined up along the waterfront. 2km away is Playa la Ropa, a beautiful beach with nicer,
more expensive hotels. I also have to recommend the excellent fish tacos and ice cold Negra Modelos, found in both
locations.
When I got back to Apatzingan, after a nice beach hiatious,
the KLR was all repaired and we were both ready to roll. Gracias Moto Servicio Madril!
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