In the morning, I got some work done on the truck, including new break pads, and got a new gasket for the exhaust oxygen sensor, which reduced the noise. The guys at Toyota don’t think much about the constant heat inside the truck, so we will try to not think about it. Since many days now, we roll with the hood open 3-inches, which keep the general temperature down. After all, it may not be abnormal for the truck to get warm, given the load we are carrying.
After Huehuetenango, we took the mountains road in the northeast direction, to reach the highlands, where are probably the most desirable places to see in Guatemala. In general, in Central America, we will avoid overcrowded capitals, in an effort to avoid criminality, and also because it is more easy for us to set up a bush camp outside of populated areas.
Our first day in the mountains was fine, even if it gets more difficult for Nadia to eat what she wishes, since she is vegetarian. Most people can’t believe someone would not eat meat. Already Mexico was not a vegetarian paradise, but here it seems worst.
In the heart of the mountains, close to Rio Blanco, a family let us use their little piece of land to camp. A lot of people here have at least one family member working in the U.S., so I think they are happy to welcome someone coming from there.
In the morning, we found a river where we could bath and clean up a little. Thanks god for that, after few days without a shower.
Then, as we were going deeper east, the road became unpaved, and more and more difficult. Often, our way was reduced to one lane because of rockslides due to rain. At one point, the road was even completely cut, but a deviation was in place, which saved us 10 hours of driving going back and taking another route.
People are driving fast here, including passenger buses, and in the afternoon, as we were on a paved road, and accident happened in front of us. A truck lost wood logs, causing a truck carrying beverage and a passenger buses to fly outside the road.
As we stopped, I ran back on the road to make signs for upcoming vehicles to slow down, and then, with other travelers, we cleaned up the pavement from broken glasses, and gas-propelled Pepsi bottles.
45 minutes later, and after loading the truck with a 12-pack of drinking water bottles (very desirable for us), we continued our drive in an increasingly dry environment. The landscape changed to cactus and scarcer vegetation, similar to south-Texas.
Before Chiquimula, another family let us sleep in front of their house.
On another note, people who want to contact nadia can do so at nadia2805 [AT] hotmail.com.
She will be glad to reply herself the marriage proposition I get in my mailbox now. Just in case I didn’t make it clear when I introduced her, she is a friend of mine from France, and we are not romantically tied. I will be glad to be the witness at her wedding as long as you are a decent guy.
Salut Nicolas,
Nous suivons tes péripéties chaque jour avec beaucoup de plaisir….et sommes très heureux de découvrir grâce à toi cette partie du globe…mais aimerions bientôt y aller peut-être dans des conditions moins aventureuses!
Bonne continuation à vous deux!
Ghyslaine et Thomas
WoW!!! Beautilful pictures…..I been following the trip since day one I’m always exited to read what you two are going threw.
Good luck to you guys…I was wondering Who Nadia was you got that cleared now :)….funny….
Hey if the truck is heating up too much and you need to keep going to keep it kooled down in case of emergency just turn the heater on roll down the windows this helps keep the heat in the engine down.
Hey, That sounds really cool to be in Mexico. I’m from Phoenix Middle School, like some of us you may have noticed are. I hope you have a safe nice trip and don’t get alot of delays. Good luck!
Wow that big bus that over turned thats a bummer for the people. I’d say your in some rough road area 4 sure. Making use of that 4×4
Hey world boy i hope to hell you didn’t cause that bus to wreck . They would have your ass. Whats the deal with Nadia all these guys hitting on her. Plus you told the fools you all where just friends. Also once again me and the french don’t see eye to eye but she seems ok, plus if you and her had something going on i would hope you would get her to see the America way and make sure she shaves , you know European don’t shave there under arms and i can’t handle that. My babes may be large but they are clean shaved if you know what i mean :). Well back to the trip keep it between the ditches and be careful man . Central & South America is a NUT house, good luck world boy. Joe from Bama
Gorgeous pictures Nick, can’t marry Nadia off so quickly though…Colombia is coming up soon.
Nick, –
That dry enviroment that you went through is Zacapa, the dryest region in Central America. I hope that you make a stop in Esquipulas. Take care and drive safely.
Good luck in the next country.
Nadia & Nick,
I’ve been reading your blog every other day since you left NY. It was nice to finally find an address to reach the two of you. It’s exciting for me to keep track of your trip. Nick looks tired in recent pictures. Guess you all have found it is real work being out there on the road. I’m sure Nick will miss your company when you run out of money.
Tell Nick if he comes through Nashville, TN (Music City) he is more than welcome to stop in and have a good home cooked meal and a place to shower and sleep. (You are welcome too if you are still with him). I do realize it will be a year from now.
I appreciate you guys keeping the blog going. Know it must be a real effort or chore to do every other day. The pictures are wonderful too.
Nick, I know great mechanics here too!!!!
KEEP SAFE and RESTED!
Ms. Marti (cruzn_mr2) I’ve got the trusty Toyota MR2 Sypder!
Nashville, TN
P.S. I guess I’m really old these days! Just noticed how to post to you guys! Duh! Ole’ Timers Disease. (I had just e-mailed Nadia). LOL
hey m8 ow r u 2day. ur C-ing sum strange sites. 4sur u need 2 get that H2O heat issue under control. wen I saw the bus on itz side I said WTF. Those SST alwaz lose thair loads and cause issues 4 all. Ha! Like, that is SO nosey. S2S Gota go now. Keep pix flow
TMDA IAAFS UIVSM DUDE, wtfomgomfgloljklmaolmfaorofljfkbbq?!
Wonderful that people will just let you lay on their land for the night.
That is funny about the marriage proposals. Someone sees you on a website and wants to marry you. Hey, stranger things have happened…
Three days and no post. I’m starting to get a little nervous. Stay safe, you two.
I’m one of Nick’s friends. There was a car problem – I’m sure Nick will tell you all about it soon – and Nick is having to figure it out. That’s why he is out. But no need to worry, they will be back online soon.
I agree with bill brown. since in the beginning I have see you both travel in such young experinces and travel to become a great adventure. Now I am seeing you post three times a week, but this week seem hit off. I hope all is okay with you both. It is been tougher down the road. Keep the ++++++
;))
oh thanks Sergio for letting us know all is okay but car problem can be fix anytime. Whew.
Does any body know where Nadia, and Kick are? The fact that they have not reported since Dec. 12, has me kind of worried.
Nick, did you check the water level of your radiator? Maybe a silly question, but driving with the hood like that, isn’t normal…