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I was lying in bed the other night, unable to sleep, and I realized that it is time for me to leave Guanajuato. It has been an extremely productive time for me here, but I am not meeting many people, and I don't really have anything to be involved in. And I want to get down to the beach as soon as possible! It is not unusual for me to leave a place within a moment's notice. I will usually decide that it's time to go, and leave within a couple days.
I am going to stop in Paracho for a day, and check out guitars. The town is known for it's many guitar makers. In between Guanajuato and Paracho, I am going to try out a new style of traveling. During this distance, there are enough small towns that are close enough together, that I think I can take collectivos, or small buses, from one to the next. Presuming there actually are collectivos between all these towns, I think this method would be faster than hitch-hiking, and cheaper than a large bus. If it happens that I come to a town in which I cannot find a collectivo, I can always hitch or do a big bus. But beyond Paracho, there are not many towns. So I think I will have to take a big bus from there to the coast. And from there, I will hitchhike South along the coast, living on the beach and being a complete beach bum. And hopefully, I can find a farm to WWOOF at somewhere in Oaxaca.
Looking forward to hitting the road again!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Misconceptions of Mexico
Coming to Mexico from the U.S., I have found that a good majority of people have many misconceptions about the country. Peope ask my friend Brian, who lives in Mexico, if it is a dangerous country. He replies, "Yes, it is dangerous. There are many uneven surfaces and you have to be careful not to hit your head on anything." I have found both of these statements to be completely accurate. Fact is, people hype up the negative aspects of Mexico so much, that the positive ones often get overlooked. In the first month or so of when I arrived here, I was so paranoid about getting robbed that I hardly ever went out after dark.
Now, there is usually at least a little bit of truth to be found in every stereotype or rumor. People don't just make up stereotypes based on nothing. But stereotypes can oftentimes get blown completely out of proportion. On one or two occasions when I mentioned to someone that I was going to Mexico, they would flat out say, "You're going to get robbed." Come on, give me a break. Have you ever actually BEEN to Mexico, or are you just basing your misinformed prediction off the stereotypes that you have heard from other misinformed people? In actuality, it is all relative to where you are at. For exemple, I know certain places in the States where there is just as good of chance of getting robbed as in Mexico. And likewise, I know certain places in Mexico where there is just as good a chance, if not better, of getting robbed as in America.
The truth is, if you look any different from the majority of the people in Mexico, you are going to draw attention to yourself. I know this all too well, as people stare at me everywhere I go as if I am an alien from another planet. And you probably know that Mexico is not one of the wealthiest countries. So when people see a foreigner, they assume that they must have money in order to be able to travel. (Actually, I spend a lot less money traveling than I would if I was living a stationary life.) That is, unless you look like a complete dirtbag. You have to accept the fact that some people are going to try to get money from you in one way or another, whether that is through robbery, pick-pocketry, begging, or over-pricing on food and merchandise. In order to have a good traveling experience, you need to be aware of these things, and not subject yourself to risky situations. The most important thing is to use your brain, as well as common sense. DO NOT carry large amounts of money when you go out, and DO NOT take shortcuts down dark alleyways. Do not keep your money or other valuable items in easy locations for pickpocketers, and use locks on your bags. Be cautious when riding in taxis and purchasing things; if it seems like someone is overcharging you for something, they probably are. You may have to learn these lessons the hard way, but once you do, I guarantee that you will NOT let it happen again.
I am writing this in hope that you will have an accurate idea of what to expect when visiting another country. When you hear lots of different advice from lots of different people, it can de difficult to determine what to listen to, and what not to. I believe that most people are genuinely good at heart, but there are some who have been led down the path of wrong-doing, and those are the ones to watch out for. I would say that the majority of people I have met in Mexico are extremely good-natured people. I would also say that Mexicans in general are even more friendly and hospitable than Americans. I have met a few people who have been so extremely excited to help out travelers in need, and went so far out of their way that it almost reached a point of ridiculousness. It is nice to know that there are people like that out there, who see foreigners as fellow human beings, rather than walking bags of money. Meeting people like that are one of the high-points of traveling for me. So the next time you leave your country, listen to the advice people have to give you, but take it with a grain of salt until you are able to experience firsthand for yourself.
Now, there is usually at least a little bit of truth to be found in every stereotype or rumor. People don't just make up stereotypes based on nothing. But stereotypes can oftentimes get blown completely out of proportion. On one or two occasions when I mentioned to someone that I was going to Mexico, they would flat out say, "You're going to get robbed." Come on, give me a break. Have you ever actually BEEN to Mexico, or are you just basing your misinformed prediction off the stereotypes that you have heard from other misinformed people? In actuality, it is all relative to where you are at. For exemple, I know certain places in the States where there is just as good of chance of getting robbed as in Mexico. And likewise, I know certain places in Mexico where there is just as good a chance, if not better, of getting robbed as in America.
The truth is, if you look any different from the majority of the people in Mexico, you are going to draw attention to yourself. I know this all too well, as people stare at me everywhere I go as if I am an alien from another planet. And you probably know that Mexico is not one of the wealthiest countries. So when people see a foreigner, they assume that they must have money in order to be able to travel. (Actually, I spend a lot less money traveling than I would if I was living a stationary life.) That is, unless you look like a complete dirtbag. You have to accept the fact that some people are going to try to get money from you in one way or another, whether that is through robbery, pick-pocketry, begging, or over-pricing on food and merchandise. In order to have a good traveling experience, you need to be aware of these things, and not subject yourself to risky situations. The most important thing is to use your brain, as well as common sense. DO NOT carry large amounts of money when you go out, and DO NOT take shortcuts down dark alleyways. Do not keep your money or other valuable items in easy locations for pickpocketers, and use locks on your bags. Be cautious when riding in taxis and purchasing things; if it seems like someone is overcharging you for something, they probably are. You may have to learn these lessons the hard way, but once you do, I guarantee that you will NOT let it happen again.
I am writing this in hope that you will have an accurate idea of what to expect when visiting another country. When you hear lots of different advice from lots of different people, it can de difficult to determine what to listen to, and what not to. I believe that most people are genuinely good at heart, but there are some who have been led down the path of wrong-doing, and those are the ones to watch out for. I would say that the majority of people I have met in Mexico are extremely good-natured people. I would also say that Mexicans in general are even more friendly and hospitable than Americans. I have met a few people who have been so extremely excited to help out travelers in need, and went so far out of their way that it almost reached a point of ridiculousness. It is nice to know that there are people like that out there, who see foreigners as fellow human beings, rather than walking bags of money. Meeting people like that are one of the high-points of traveling for me. So the next time you leave your country, listen to the advice people have to give you, but take it with a grain of salt until you are able to experience firsthand for yourself.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Life of Luxury in Guanajuato
After living in the forest for a month, I am living such a comparitively plush life here in Guanajuato, that I wonder if I am really deserving of such generous hospitality. The universe always has a way of presenting me with exactly what I need at exactly the right times. About a week ago, right before I left the Bosque, I began to take notice of the emerging gap in my life that was once filled with music. I knew that I needed to settle down someplace where I could focus on playing music for a while. I found myself in Mexico City with an endless number of directions I could go, and waiting for guidance from good ol' Mr. Universe. Right around this time, my good friend Joseph informed me that his mother owns an empty studio that I can stay in in Guanajuato. Guanajuato, here I come!
The studio is much, much more than I ever could have asked for. It is a little walk from town, but it is situated on the side of a hill, overlooking a valley and nearby mountains. The walls are made of adobe, it is fully furnished with wooden furniture, and there is a patio in the front. There is a huge bed, a stove, oven, toaster...even a blender! I feel so incredibly blessed to be living in such luxury! I want my time here to be spent as productively as possible. I want to learn more and experiment with cooking, practice yoga every day, and also make a full re-emergence into the world of music, writing, and photography. I might even attempt to read a book that is completely in Spanish! (I can't find any in English anyway.)
The studio is much, much more than I ever could have asked for. It is a little walk from town, but it is situated on the side of a hill, overlooking a valley and nearby mountains. The walls are made of adobe, it is fully furnished with wooden furniture, and there is a patio in the front. There is a huge bed, a stove, oven, toaster...even a blender! I feel so incredibly blessed to be living in such luxury! I want my time here to be spent as productively as possible. I want to learn more and experiment with cooking, practice yoga every day, and also make a full re-emergence into the world of music, writing, and photography. I might even attempt to read a book that is completely in Spanish! (I can't find any in English anyway.)
Trading Paper for Pixels
I accidently left my journal behind in Mexico City a few days ago, as well as my baja hoodie. I know exactly where my journal was left; sitting next to the computer at a hostel, where I was last using it. Not sure about my sweatshirt. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I don't care much about the sweatshirt, because they are cheap and abundant in Mexico, and I can easily get another one. But my journal was not just some material object that can simply be replaced. It was a collection of my thoughts, insights, and dreams from over the last three months or so of my life.
All I can do at this point, is understand that it is out of my control, and that everything happens for a reason. Around the same time that I discovered my journal was missing, I was toying with the idea of retrieving my laptop, and starting my blog back up. If all my writings had been stored online, there would be practically no way that they could ever be lost...even if something happpens to my computer. I think it may be time to make a re-emergence into the digital world...
All I can do at this point, is understand that it is out of my control, and that everything happens for a reason. Around the same time that I discovered my journal was missing, I was toying with the idea of retrieving my laptop, and starting my blog back up. If all my writings had been stored online, there would be practically no way that they could ever be lost...even if something happpens to my computer. I think it may be time to make a re-emergence into the digital world...
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