Crazy Trip!

4 Days of Driving from Guatemala to West, Texas. We had to drive in 4x4 on back roads to get around protesting workers in Guatemala blocking the highway. In Chiapas, Mexico we drove through a tropical storm. In one city a street was flooded so much that water got into our air intake. Water was two inches below the floor boards. We were pulled out and a mechanic had us back on the road in an hour for about $20. Tampico, Mexico: pulled over three different times by traffic cops soliciting us for bribes. One let us go for $16, one let us go after half an hour of me getting pissed telling him he was a liar and corrupt. He told me "I had balls" before giving me my license and truck permission back. The third one let us go when we told him we didn't have any cash. Day four took us by 15 dead mutilated bodies in the highway in the state of Tamaulipas. Getting into the U.S. was a pain and then I was stung by a wasp on the leg and in between two fingers. 70 miles from my dad's house in Ft. Worth our truck threw a rod at 2:00a.m. Today we'll scrap the truck to cover the towing bill.

All in all, a crazy four day trip. Somehow, we still have a positive outlook. We are curious as to where the universe is trying to lead us.

Change of Plans

That's a funny title. Change is always happening all around us. With an unexpected change we will be heading back to the U.S sooner than expected. I haven't been able to write, or rather focus enough to write. I've been staying busy. Busy enough to distract my mind from the ramifications of recently transpired events. Busy saying goodbye to a lifestyle that was picking up momentum. Busy saying goodbye to new friends made. Trying to prepare for the culture shock of the return. A return to excess, naivety, corporate rule, and endless highways.

I plan to leave Xela, Guatemala tomorrow (Monday, July 26) around 6:00. Travel along the West Coast to the only break in Mexico's longitudinal mountains (Salinas Cruz). Then, crossing over Mexico's narrowest East/West stretch to the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully make it though Mexico in four days.

After a short visit with my father working in Texas, onward to Wisconsin. How long we'll be there is uncertain. Where our path will lead from there is uncertain. The only certainty, that we'll be together loving each other. Growing stronger and wiser together.

May we see many much missed chronically distant friends along the way.

Sorry for the nebulous theme of change. I'll fill you in eventually.