Hey all, Matt here, sorry for the delay in this post but internet has been a little hard to come by the two days as we've been lost in the jungle like Indiana Jones checking out some ruins. I wrote this on the bus there a few days ago and am finally getting it to you now. Enjoy!
Lindsey and I are currently passengers on the most deluxe
and comfortable coach I think I have ever experienced in my time traveling
though South America. It comes equipped with full reclining seats, personal
music units, movies that don’t feature Steven Segal and came with a free travel
bag on entrance including a COLD bottle of water. (Not items commonly found on
Latin American transportation). This bus will take us from Tulum in the Yucatan
peninsula, to Pelenque, an ancient Mayan site in the Chiapas region of Mexico.
We have just completed our first three days backpacking in
Mexico, after flying in to the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is a famous city that
you might recognize from this area and after reading about its popularity for
its white sandy beaches, high rise hotels, Hollywood stars and party islands, I
arrived with a little bias about the experience we had in stall.
Normally when traveling I try and steer clear of the busy
travel spots. The gringo trail if you will. So it was a beautiful surprise to
find the friendship and beauty of a region that I was more than ready to skip.
And you know what. I get it. I understand why people love to flock to this area
in western Mexico. Tulum at least, I wont comment on Cancun, is a vibrant,
family-friendly place, complete with sandy white, crystal clear, warm water
perfect beaches, affordable and authentic locally run restaurants, incredible
and delicious real fruit popsicles and stunning colorful and creative artisanal
goods. My bias for the Yucatan peninsula and the atmosphere it might provide
was happily destroyed through tranquil Tulum.
Our last day there we lazed on a squeaky sand beach just
south of an ancient Mayan ruin that sits high on the cliff top overlooking a
long reef 500 meters out to sea and is postcard perfect. The Mayans who were a
part of the civilization and who built the structures lining the beach must
have smiled often with the view they had from their sandy outcrop. I know I
smiled often looking up at their thousand year old work.
Mexico so far has lived up to all expectations. It is more
than lively, and I’m sure to be full of many surprises. As this is the first
solo piece of writing I think I have ever posted anywhere online, I would love
to use this time also in reflection of the beginning of what I know will be an
amazing adventure, especially with my love Lindsey traveling beside me, to
thank every person who has ever helped us achieve our goal of traveling once
again through Latin America, and our intention along the way of assisting the
communities around us.
Thank you to the people who have fed us, roofed us, listened
to our stories, sent their encouragement, and thought of us along the way. We
feel truly blessed to know every single one of you. May you travel well and may
we meet again soon.
We’ll be in touch with more reports on our travels soon!
With all my love,
Matt.
No comments:
Post a Comment