Hola Mexico - July 25 - Aug 16, All over Mexico

Touchdown Mexico City.....and it is just as I remember it - crazy busy, insane traffic and raining. Well, I didn't come here for the weather but I did come to see my great friend Pamela. And there she was to greet me at the airport after I stumbled my way through Mexican customs. A beer and a taco later and it felt like the 18 months we hadn't seen each other for, was a mere 18 hours.

The next few weeks would be full of fun times with 3 of my best friends, Pamela, Marili and Oliver who would arrive from Estonia 2 days after me. The good times would have to wait though, as I spent the first 2 days by myself enjoying some well needed rest after Utah and also some catching up one "real world" activities.

July 28 - Aug 3.

After the grand arrival of the terrible twosome from Europe, we were straight off to Tuxtla, south of Mexico for Pamela's brother's wedding. Now, we all thought that a Mexican wedding would be a busy and fun experience, but I don't think I fully appreciated what a great production it was. The family home raced with make up artists, transporting alcohol to the venue, organising frocks and suits and general wedding mayhem. Oliver and I were honoured enough to be invited by the groom on his last night out before tying the knot. he stories from that evening are not quite appropriate for this family blog....

The wedding seemed to come and go very quickly, which is hard to believe given that the party ran all the way into the daylight hours. I was honoured and proud to be part of such a great family experience and share a great time with some great friends.

Lucky guy

Craig, Marili, Pam and Oliver

The happy bride and groom

A little "later" in the evening...

Exploring San cristobal and surrounds

Family photos

So with the wedding over, we were off back to Mexico City, nursing sore heads and heavy eyes. The next 2 weeks would consist of a variety of Mexican adventures. North first to visit Querataro and the local wine regions. The highlight of this region would have to be a little colonial town called San Miguel. Sloping streets, market vibes and cool little cafe's made this a great side day trip.

So after a nice little break from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, it was time to return for the weekend while plotting our next adventure. One thing I will say about Mexico City - it is definitely not my favourite place in the world, but it sure is interesting. So many people crammed into one city, it is remarkable how people actually manage to get around and function. It seems the place just never stops. And trying to drive around.....that's an adventure of its own.

Safety precautions while driving in Mex City

So after a nice and somewhat relaxing weekend in the city involving going to some traditional mexican wrestling (think Nacho Libre with Jack Black except more full on) and exploring some quieter sides of the city, it was time to hit the road again - next stop, Veracruz on the East coast.

After a nice long drive from Mexico City (the majority of which was spent just getting OUT of the city), we rolled into Veracruz and were immediately greeted by some nice, hot weather. A city on the coast, it has all the trappings of coastal life, relaxed people, fresh seafood, warm water beaches and hot sunny weather. Now I am not one to complain about weather, except when the air conditioner is broken and you are trying to sleep in 33 degrees...obviously I have spent too much time away from Australia and my hot weather coping mechanisms are failing me! So aside from the weather and beautiful scenery, we were in town to visit an old friend who Marili and I studied with in France many moons ago, Alejandra. As always, it is great catching up with old friends, hearing about their new lives (and fiances) and generally catching up over a few cold beers and nice food.

Climbing up above Veracruz

Catching up over tequilas

So after a few days chilling out with friends, exploring some local sites and sweating int he hot sun, it was time to journey back to Mexico City and prepare for our weekend away to Acapulco. On the way though, we had to visit a little town called Jacamulco.....a quaint little riverside village famous for its river rafting. With no experience, very little clue and even less spanish, we managed to spend a few hours descending class 3 and 4 rapids with our new best friend, Raul, a great local guide who took good care of us. Unfortunately both Oliver and I didn't trust ourselves with our camera's so no pics :(

Back to Mexico City briefly and then off to Acapulco on the pacific coast for the weekend. Pam had done all the leg work and booked us a fantastic little house for the weekend. Lazing by the pool, on the beach and watching the famous cliff divers of Acapulco....it was a great way to spend the last weekend with friends. The weekend came and went fast and all of a sudden, our 3 week reunion had come to abrupt end. marili and Oliver were off home to Europe to continue working, Pam was staying in mexico in her job and I was about to jet off on my lonesome for Guatemala to see what I could find.

Next stop, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.....