Don't get me wrong... everyone is thoroughly enjoying their trip, but it could be even better. We all know that we have more rest days towards the end of the trip, but we need to even things out a bit.
So, with yesterday being a day of rest, everyone did their own thing. A couple of people walked the two kms or so into the town of San Juan Benito Juarez, while some just stayed at the RV park and got some laundry done and relaxed.
Ruth and I went with Tim and Lovey to Cuitzeo with the RV Park owner Arturo. We needed to do another ATM withdrawal. We have to pay a lot of the caravan expenses along the way, and many things still need to be paid for in cash.
Cuitzeo is known for it's ex-convent Santa Maria Magdalena...
So we're wandering around town, and I see a shoe repair place. One of Ruth's hiking boots was starting to fall apart, but she was hoping it would last through this winter. We went and talked to the guy, but he wanted us to leave it with him. Ruth didn't have another pair of shoes with her though! Finally, he agreed to do it while we wait. Funny guy, always with a big smile on his face!
The shoe repair guy.
He gave Ruth a plastic bag to put on her foot while he did the repairs.
He glued it, and then hand stitched the sole. Pretty nice repair. It took him about 30 minutes. But that included talking to other customers who were dropping off other repair jobs. They don't throw things away here... they fix them!
Total bill for the shoe repair? 20 pesos ($1.35 CAD, $1.10 USD).
Next door was the roast chicken guy...
Whole roast chicken for 80 pesos ($5.50 CAD, $4.35 USD).
Back at the RV Park, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. I poked around underneath Sherman because I had spotted a possible exhaust problem. There's a loose clamp that needs to be replaced, so I did a very Mickey Mouse repair job, but it should last until I can get it replaced.
Meanwhile, Ruth did some hand laundry.
Around 4:30pm we went for happy hour and a pot luck dinner.
Group pot luck dinner.
Lots of yummy food.
Today, we're off to the Big Tamale.... Mexico City! There are two RV Parks that service Mexico City. We are headed to Pepe's Hotel and RV Park, located about 45 kms north of the city. Ruth and I have never been to this RV Park before, so we're looking forward to a new experience. So, a 250 km (155 mile) driving day today, the Teotihuacan ruins tomorrow, and Mexico City Friday and Saturday!
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And in Canada...
Noticed in the paper that the night temp. in Mexico City is 3 (37.4F). Is that low for this time of year?
ReplyDeleteYes, it does get cool/cold at night because of the altitude but the daytime temperature is just about perfect, especially when you are touring/walking around.
DeleteI think you are right about changing the schedule for next year. I'm getting tired just reading about all you've done already! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteThe tour is great and we are definitely kept busy and everyone is certainly enjoying themselves but it is necessary to get a few more free days added in or everyone is going to get burned out or sick. Luckily things should start to slow down just a little more once we get over to the gulf coast and start making our way south from there.
DeleteThe tours we've been on seem to have the same mind set. If something slows the group down in the beginning you use one of the free days at the end.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
It seems that it is mostly at the beginning of this tour that seems too rushed and it sounds like they will add in a few more free days on next year's tour which we think is necessary otherwise people will get sick and not enjoy the trip as much. Everyone needs a little more down time especially at the beginning.
Deletelooking forward to joining you next year!!
ReplyDeleteWe will be looking forward to it as well, providing that we do decide too do it again, that is. ;-)
DeleteJust curious Kevin - have you noticed if ULSD seems to be more commononly available down there this year (as Pemex promised) or is it easy to even identify at the pump? We are presently on the list for next year’s Yucatan Tour but would not want to risk damage to our exhaust system with LSDiesel. Meanwhile, congratulations on leading what appears to be an amazing trip so far!
ReplyDeleteIt is becoming more common and we have two trucks on this trip that require it and so far have been able to obtain it. By the end of this year it should be fully rolled out down here in Mexico. We do have a list of stations that are supposed to carry it so we try to check our route and see if there are any available along our route so that they can fill up with it. One unit carries about 5 big gas canisters along with them for back up and the other truck has an external tank. When you come next year you shouldn't have any problems finding it.
DeleteYes you guys need more rest days but it appears your hVing a good time so enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe are all having a great time despite not having enough time to relax. That will come though and I am sure many of the folks are looking forward to it too!
DeleteLa Chancla, the flip flop. So simple, fast and inexpensive. Where's your customer contract, ticket, sanitary disposable sock while waiting? ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's what we love about Mexico, none of all that crap! He did however give me a small black plastic bag to put my foot into while I waited. :-)
DeleteDue to Kevin & Ruths feedback, we have added 3 more rest days for next year: Guanajuato, Cuitzeo, and right after Mexico City on the Emerald Coast. After that it's not so hectic.
ReplyDeleteBrian, on the fall trip no one with late model diesels had any ULSD issues. We filled up at stations on the list as much as possible.
That should be good but honestly, you need to have two nights in Saltillo. It is a pretty city to visit and people then have time to get some much needed groceries and there is a great Telcel Client Service place there so that everyone can get set up with data and phone that need it before heading on down the road to Zacatecas where these things are harder to do because nothing is close by.
DeleteReally interested in your feedback on Pepes. The guy parked next to me who knows the park, says try to park people up the left hand side as you go in. The power on the right hand side has an open ground. With an airstream you notice that sort of thing when you touch it.
ReplyDeleteSo far everyone seems happy with Pepe's, he seems like a great guy and the sites are quite nice. Haven't heard anyone complaining about the electricity yet so I guess everything is good.
DeleteWe’re on next year’s tour. SOOOO glad to hear more rest days are being added at the beginning. I was having second thoughts as I was exhausted reading the blogs. It is so much fun reading Kevin’s stories and the excellent photos. Thank you and keep up the fantastic journaling.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you will be on the caravan next year. We haven't committed to it yet but odds are good that we will be doing it again.
DeleteWe have been surviving at this pace and having a good time but it will be even better with more free days.
Glad that you are enjoying our posts and pictures, thank you. :-)