Truckin' on down to Mexico, part II

Between San Cristóbal and Tuxtla Guitérrez, they scenery from the bus window looks like this. Mexican buses are wonderful: conversation, frequent stops for food and drink, you can open the window and smoke. I will forever be grateful to Nelson form Zapantapec, for giving me the rest of his water--I was so thirsty! On the other hand, when the bus trip is bad, it´s really bad!!! really bad! Sometimes at night they won't stop for hours. And even when they do, it usually involves the bus being searched for illegales. What's really wierd is when you see someone on the bus, and then end up seeing them they next day on the street or where they work. While in Tuxtla we saw our first zapoteca woman at the bus station. We were leary about taking peoples photos at that time. The next day, we saw her in Juchitán, selling vegetables at the market.
Tulum2005
Thank God we weren't on that bus! It didn't look like anyone was really hurt, though.
It was SOOO Hot at the bus station in Tuxtla! We made like lizards and took a nap on the cool tile. If I recall correctly, it was pretty difficult to get a taxi in this town. We ended up walking to a restaurant, where five women made us the most delightful dinner, complete with watermelon for desert! Sonya shared her Oaxacan chocolate with them, so they were especially nice to us. MMM! Mexican cafés! How I miss them! Street cafés are the ideal spots to people watch.
Next major stop on our trek was Juchitán de Zaragosa, my favorite place. It sort of reminded me of a mexican Detroit. Somewhat run-down, low-budget, and plain. Like Hamtramck, many of the ethnic minorities in this area wear their traditional clothing. Juchitán also has a lot of drag queens, or muxe, or whatever they call them. I never really got a clear understanding of how the Juchitán gay fits into the local picture, but it's obviously a peaceful arrangement.
Alan was so thirsty in one night in Juchytown, that he DRANK THE SHOWER WATER!!!! Luckily, he has an iron stomach, and didn't get sick.