Travel always has an element of uncertainty. Having a keen sense of adaptability is essential!
Leaving San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico yesterday, I knew it was an unpredictable day. Two days earlier, the 8 o’clock bus came at 9 o’clock. Ours came at 8:15. We picked up other travelers around town, then changed to a smaller van. We headed toward the boarder with Guatemala an hour after pickup. I was told the bus would arrive in Xela at 2:30 but didn’t have a lot of confidence in that! Good thing I wasn’t expecting it!
Travel mates: a couple from Australia, “Makee” from Ethiopia and her friend, a woman from Basque part of Spain, a man from Japan, a man from Guatemala and a man (with his partner) from Laramie who lives in Boulder when not home.
We got through the Guatemalan border with little fuss. I was first and they wanted to charge me a fee for staying more than 7 days. I hadn’t. Lots of finger counting and showing numbers on fingers. He finally stamped my passport. Others had their own challenges with him.
A change of buses again which took a while. They needed to sort the passengers. Finally, we set off in a small less comfortable bus BUT we were making progress! It was close to 2:00. We reached the Xela crossroad around 6:00 and dropped off the man from Japan. Onward on the Pan American Highway through the clouds, we stopped at a crossroad where we changed buses again. More waiting and more shuffling.
We were an hour earlier with the time change. One more mile from the bus change put me in Los Encuentros and the road to Chichicastenango.
When I planned this part of my travel, I had no idea how I was getting onward to Chichicastenango. But I know things are always working out for me!
I crossed the street, a bus was leaving and I raced for it. “Chichi” the helper shouted. I barely stepped on board and the bus was off with me jostling around with my backpack trying to take it off. I was laughing! Could barely move from one bounce to the other. And that’s how flexibility, intuition and timing help in travel!
The bus was full! Passengers helped me. Passengers scooted to make room for me. I could barely stay in my seat with the driving! The lady next to me started talking with me. Sweet lady!
How do things work when I travel!? I often know where I want to go but not the details of getting there. Informaiton shows up for me. Generally, it’s like the following examples.
The lady next me and I talked. She asked where I was staying and nodded approval. The bus stopped often to let people off. As we reached the city of Chichicastenango, the isle filled with people standing but the bus had to stop for traffic. She told me to get off here, walk down the street, turn left and there was my Posada San Jeronimo! Awesome! I jumped off the moving bus and started walking.
I have a lovely small private room on the top of the hotel with an awesome view of the city. Grabbing my camera, I headed out to take some photo’s of the city as the empty streets and stalls will fill Saturday in preparation for Sunday market. I met Manuelo, a woman walking up the hill. She works at an economico restaurant and suggested I go there for breakfast! Perfect!
After sitting all day, it felt great to be walking!
This morning, I got up early and took my camera for more photo’s of this city transforming. Not a single tourist in sight!? Tomorrow will be different. People were friendly. One older man in the vegetable market held my hand asking me where I was from and wishing me luck. Over and over, similar conversation happened.
I came down a side road and found one of the original hotels here. Luis, the man in front helping guests, was still there when I came out. We talked and he asked about my travels and plans? I told him I was going to Quetzaltenango/Xela tomorrow to study Spanish. I didn’t tell him I had no idea how I was going to get there.
He told me there were buses and started reciting off departure times. They all require changing on the way. However, he suggested I come back to his spot tomorrow around 12:00 and he will stop a van going directly to Xela which is smoother and faster.
Things work! Travel angels show up! Awesome!
Now, after a rest, I’m taking my camera back out to see the village transformation. I witnessed a wedding procession coming out of the church this morning. You never know what you will see. I found another coffee shop to visit as well!
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Late night awesome tacos!wit
How were the tacos? Rockies are in the playoffs! Peace my friend!