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THE ROUTE
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Ciao Mexico
San Cristobal de Las Casas
In the morning, we took showers, did some planning work, and updated the blog. We spent the afternoon visiting San Cristobal by foot, and I saw again the multiple religious monuments dispersed in the city, as well as the artisan and food markets.
San Cristobal cathedral
San Cristobal is great, but you can feel that it is getting more popular, and you can’t help but notice kids from rich countries coming here to spend a sabbatical year to drink, smoke weed and wear Peruvian hats. But hey, San Cristobal is worth it, it is at least as nice as Oaxaca.
What really is amazing is to visit San Juan Chamula, few kilometers north east of the city.
We did that after a second night in the city, after finding a campground not far from the center.
San Juan de Chamula market
San Juan Chamula is a village in the mountain, and we got there at 8 a.m. The church is very colorful and full of candles on the ground. This is a catholic church, but here, Mayan custom have been incorporated in the religion, making it seems far from anything one could have seen.
The floor is covered with pine needles, and Chamulan families lie down and drink Coca-Cola, and chant prayers.
I wish I could have got some pictures, but it was strictly forbidden to shoot in the church.
The market is also great and cheap if you are looking for artisanal clothing. Most people from Chamula wear clothes made of hand crafted black wool.
After the visit, we were back on the road and took the direction of Guatemala. After a quick stop for lunch at Frontera Comalpa, we got a last fill up of clean gas, and we went to cross the border. Some traveler described the Guatemala border as the most difficult in Central America.
Nadia using her charms to help us through the border
It took us just an hour to get everything done. Three kilometers before, we stopped to cancel the Mexican temporary vehicle importation. Then, the agriculture service cleaned the vehicle to avoid importation of insects or animal diseases, which cost us US$2. Then, immigration (free), and temporary importation of the truck (US$4). This is all really cheap compared to Mexico. I didn’t see any place where I could purchase insurance, so I kept going.
Our campsite
When you enter the country through this rather informal border, you are in the middle of the mountains, and you drive along a river. After 50 kilometers, as we were getting closer to Huehuetenango, we decided to leave the main road and enter a dirt road toward the river. There, we opened the tent, ate, and went to bed, at 7:30.
Leaving in the morning
14 Responses to “Ciao Mexico”
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Tweets that mention Ciao Mexico | Home of the Trans World Expedition -- Topsy.com December 7th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AP Lifestyles, Nicolas Rapp. Nicolas Rapp said: New blog post: Ciao Mexico http://transworldexpedition.com/?p=616 […]
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I really like how Nadia using her charms to help you two through the border.
The picture turned out great. They seem very nice people. Nice city too; so cool 4 sure bud. -
Sorry world boy for not keeping up with you. Been in jail again, that fat ass woman is causing me trouble. You know i told you a few days ago about booze/ large woman and jail, well hell jail time again i got 72 hrs ahhhhhhh.Also what is up with that Neely guy asking questions about your wife. Well world boy be careful . I think i will have do another 72 hrs in jail but what the hell 3 square meals a day. Have fun and don’t eat the fruit in Guatemala.
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I found out about your expedition shortly before you began and have been following you since your departure from New York. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having such troubles with your toyota.
I love hearing about the cultures, people and markets your encountering. I would love to hear more of them. What does it sound like? What are the colors your seeing? What smells are you picking up on? What are the local customs or traditions?
Safe journeys.
Becca -
Trey Nabisco December 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Nicky I think I speak for everyone when I say post more pictures of Nadia. She is one hot chica. How lucky are you to have such a great traveling partner. Nadia I would have your baby if I could. No seriously I would.
Make sure to get plenty of bikini pics if you two hit the beaches later on in your travels. And would it kill you Nadia to throw on a tank top or two. Break out them daisy dukes girl, I mean you’re in South America baby. It’s time to start living La Vida Loca!!!
On a serious note. Nadia I’m traveling across 3/4 of the world from South America to the U.S. and I need a traveling partner. All expenses paid of course. Some of us and I won’t mention any names (Nicky) won’t hear of you paying your own way. -
Hey Nick,
Why are you dragging that BBQ grill with you in front of your car?@Trey: I thought this was about Nick and his trails… What a strange kind of propositions you make about having a baby with someone you don’t know and just looks good. I think if you want bikini pics, there are million other sites out there you could visit.
Adventurous greetings,
Coen -
Flagrant December 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I think we need a Nadia bio. I’d like to hear more about her knee. Still think you guys should just admit your undying love and get married already. Have babies. Give them names all starting with the letter “N”.
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Armando Davila December 9th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Nick,
I hope you guys enjoy my country, Guatemala. Please take alot of pictures. People is very nice there, but use your common sense. I hope that you get a chance to visit (at least) Panajachel, Antigua Guatemala, and Tikal. By the way, there is nothing wrong with eating the fruit in Guatemala, as long as you wash it first.Enjoy.
Armando Davila
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Great pictures and travel stories. Look forward to your posts everyday.
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Kim Barton December 9th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Slow down! Breathe! I don’t know your timeline but from this end it looks like a whirlwind tour! I guess you have predestined boats to meet and such. I wish you had a timeline on your website so we can understand why you press on so hard. I also hope some honorable company who is following your trek offers to place a GPS tracker on your vehicle so you will never be truly lost! And maybe they could even put a live time, more graphic map on your site for those of us who have never heard of places like Huehuetenango. At the least just to have a good idea of your last known (out of sat range) whereabouts. And again, I strongly suggest you look up couchsurfing.org It is a world wide community of people (with references) in homes who enjoy offering other couchsurfers a couch or bed or just a shower or even just parking spot for the evening, FREE.. Only 185 more followers on twitter and you will have 1000. I jumped in at just over 300.. I am really enjoying your photos… and your journey! BE SAFE! Kim From Maryland
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Honorable Flagrant December 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Noel, Nanette. They could eat cheeseburgers and chain smoke in between sobbing spells.
Timeline! My favorite word. I suspect you already have a beach in Costa Rica and a book in mind.
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Nicolas December 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thanks all. I posted Nadia contact information in my newest post, for those who want to send her their love. I currently have no plans of having a baby with her.
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hey nick, your doing well so far hope every thing with the car is fine and hope and your friend are doing well will try to keep up with you
BK all the way…………….
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Nick,
I too would like to know what that mesh grill in front of your Landcruiser is for?
Enjoying reading about your journey, the ups and downs, and how you overcome them,
