Chiapas

i went to chiapas about 7 years ago. i cannot believe it has been that long. i traveled on my own and went to see a friend who had just had a baby. i started off in vera cruz(where my parents honeymooned in’67). i arrived the day after carnivale and everyone there just seemed wiped out. i stayed at a really nice hotel that was inexpensive. i was only there for about one day before i caught the bus to palenque. at the bus station i met a woman from canada and we began talking. she was going to palenque also and i asked if she wanted to stay with me at my friend’s house. she came with me and we stayed with my friend and her boyfriend. we pitched a tent in the yard and listened to monkeys in the jungle. we got up early and went to the ruins right when they opened. i climbed to the top of one of the structures and stayed up there as people started to arrive. i could see them and they all looked so small. sound carries up so i could hear them all talking and i heard someone call my name. it was a friend of mine from olympia who was supposed to be on a boat. they were on shore leave and he happened to be there at the same time as myself.
i spent the rest of my time there hanging out with my one old friend and my one new friend. my new friend wanted to go to agua azul and i was planning to go to san cristobal. we decided to make the trip together. at agua azul we separated as we hiked up. i decided to go off the beaten path a bit. i was hiking around and thinking because i had much on my mind at the time when i almost ran into another hiker going downhill. that hiker also happened to be another old friend from olympia…..

Estar en Chiapas es estar en las manos de Dios

To be in Chiapas is to be in the hands of God

If someone hadn’t pointed out that I’d probably need access to good medical care in my old age, I’d still be thinking of retiring here. It is so beautiful…lots of green unspoiled land.

I went horseback riding and to their museum.

If you go by bus, be on time, because if you miss yours you’ll be expected to buy another ticket.