Chapter 2 MEXICO 'From the Caribbean to the Pacific'

WELCOME!

There you are again.

Warning, this entry will be very long... And if you think there are a lot of pictures, just don't count the words! 😃

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Once again, several days have passed.

Once again, I'm not sure where to begin.

Once again, I naturally can't just start where the last entry left off.

Okay, give me a moment, I need to check that real quick...

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Here I am again.

So you get an idea:

I'm sitting at about 57 degrees in the shade by a pool surrounded by palm trees.

My girlfriend is sunbathing and I occasionally steal a glance at her.

She smiles when she notices.

It is February 14th.

I'm sure you all know what day that is, right?

And for those who don't have a partner and are sad about it, tomorrow they will get a lot of chocolate at half price in the stores. That might be comforting. ;)

As a real proof of love, I pulled out Juli's stitches from her surgically operated hand today and we both did a pretty good job, I would say.

Now I have claimed some "me-time" to fill my travel diary with input. Meanwhile, I'm munching on a cookie.

I actually wanted to lose weight.

(Like the past 5 years too, yes, I know).

I constantly aim to reduce my sugar consumption to a minimum. And I'm doing pretty well at times.

But don't you also know the feeling that you want to lose weight, but the weight just doesn't want to lose you?

Well, never mind... I'm trying to be much more relaxed about it now - after all, we only have this one life, right?

So, if you feel the same way and you're struggling with finding the "bright side of life," let me tell you:

Write the resignation letter.

Take the trip.

Click 'buy'.

Eat that damn cookie!

End of the story.

End of the introduction.

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As you know, we took a domestic flight a few days ago.

We wanted to go to the Pacific!

You may remember that we watched many YouTube videos before the trip.

One of them showed PUERTO ESCONDIDO.

Juli and I were immediately impressed.

Not only because it looked so beautiful and less touristy than the Yucatan Peninsula, where Condor initially took us ...

the waves of the ocean simply impressed us so deeply and we immediately wanted to go THERE.

However, Google Maps quickly disillusioned us.

The distance was too great, Mexico is pretty huge.

So, we temporarily let go of the thought,... but it never really let go of me.

So, I joined Facebook groups about Mexico and asked for tips and opinions, and I decided that we would fly one way (even if it wasn't cheap) and take various buses back to Cancun, thus seeing even more of the country. I wanted to make many stops and book accommodations spontaneously.

I was really happy when the plan was finally in place and it became more and more real.

So, a short time later, we found ourselves on a plane to Oaxaca City. A city in the state of the same name.

The flight was easy. Well, it was cramped, but we're also used to business class now.

Of course, we were super prepared, as always. (Irony off).

No, actually, I knew that it would be a few hours by bus to get to the coast, but I didn't think about when exactly the bus would leave or what we would do if it didn't, well, I never thought about it. 😝

And guess what!

...right, nothing was running, of course.

So, we were stranded in Oaxaca City.

Somewhere in the mountains.

And we had almost 24 hours until we could squeeze ourselves into the next vehicle.

Well, okay.

Opened the booking app.

Scrolled around a bit.

'30 euros sounds good, right, Flosse?'

Boom - booked. ✅

Did you know that Mexicans don't speak English?

Really.

Not.A.Single.Word.

There are exceptions, of course.

But those are really exceptions.

No matter where we've been so far.

97% only speak their national language.

And I only understand Spanish everywhere. (höhö)

They don't understand a word you say if you don't speak their language - but they ignore your desperate helpless facial expression and keep talking.

When we were at the bus terminal and booked the tickets for the next day, we wanted to know if it is safe to take a taxi from outside.

Don't forget - Mexico!

I had read before that tourists are sometimes robbed in taxis, and whether this was explicitly the case here... well, we preferred not to find out by experience, but wanted to make sure.

"Is it safe to take a taxi?"

Hmm. No reaction.

Pointed at the yellow cars, combined with: 'Safe?'

Still no reaction.

Well, okay.

Opened the Spanish translator app.

Typed in the whole sentence.

Showed her the phone.

Reaction: Confused look. Raised eyebrows.

Well. Works perfectly.

It felt like it took 3 years until the 4th person finally understood what we wanted to know, and with a lingering feeling of unease, we finally sat in the taxi that took us to (spoiler alert) the BEST accommodation we've had so far.

The area was huge. Not far from the bus station. But high above the city.

The staff was really nice. Well, except for those who laughed out loud at Juli when she wanted to eat her quesadillas with a knife and fork in the hotel restaurant.

Embarrassing.

🙈

Well, the view from the room, though.

Wow.♥️

We felt like we were in L.A.

Most of you have probably seen pictures or stories on Insta.

Plus, everything was really clean and the

pool area and the garden were a dream.

We could have easily stayed there for a while.

It's almost a shame that we only had the afternoon and evening there and had to leave the next morning.

But before that, we explored the city and walked along the streets in flip-flops.

This was so different from Puerto Morelos.

Few tourists. Less crowded. Prices are cheap.

Sometimes so cheap that we had trouble converting.

Anyway, we ran around for 1.2 hours and stopped at a bar that looked really cool from the outside.

Until it got dark, we stayed there and got ourselves drunk.. This lady also didn't speak a word of English, of course.

But 'getting drunk' is universal. 😝

We tried so many things there. 🙈

Do you know that no Mexican would ever think of drinking tequila as a shot?

It is served in 10cl glasses here and you drink it sip by sip.

There is also no ritual with salt and lemon here. Although there was actually a small bowl of lemons, and I even think I tasted salt in some way, but it's not about any particular order, but rather about opening up the taste buds (if necessary).

Anyway, it was an extremely relaxed, fun-filled evening, I tell you.

When we got the bill, the lady generously included a tip for herself, and we multiplied it with the alcohol level we had.

Never mind. It was worth it. 😜

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The following night was short.

Jetlag loves me as much as my weight and just doesn't want to leave me.

So, my sleep rhythm is exactly like my motivation to get on a bus for 12 hours: NON-EXISTENT.

And yes, you read that right.

TWELVE HOURS.

As long as the flight from Germany to Mexico.

Phew! 👀

I had a strange feeling from minute 1.

And that feeling was right.

I mentioned that Oaxaca City is located in the mountains.

To get to the coast, you had to drive down winding roads for HOURS.

They just wouldn't end.

Have you ever been seasick?

No? - Then pray it stays that way!

You know what I'm talking about? - Well, then you know what I mean!

The driver, hereinafter referred to as Leadfoot, took the numerous curves so tightly that I was glad that most of the passengers kept the curtains closed at the windows and we wouldn't see ourselves racing to our deaths.

So either nausea or the cliff, I thought.

Honestly, I was green in the face. I bet.

Flosse and I didn't say a word to each other.

We didn't move.

We didn't even satisfy our desire for music.

We didn't even put on our headphones for the entire bus ride because we were afraid we couldn't handle it.

Closed our eyes and

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe.

Did the bus just stop??? Yes.

After 5 (!) endless hours, the 1st (and only) break came. 🙌

I stumbled out of the air-conditioned bus into at least 60 degrees outside temperature.

I hated myself and my stupid ideas so much.

For the next half hour, we tried to recover under a palm tree on the side of the road and mentally prepare ourselves for what would come next.

Leadfoot wasn't finished with us yet.

But at first, he acted like he was.

The next half hour was still not great, but the winding roads were subtly, or in some places not at all, present. I thought the worst was over.

Well. I should leave the thinking to others.

I died inside when it started all over again.

Up...down...nasty curves...Being tossed back and forth...every now and then something would fall out of the overhead compartments...

Loud noises from the luggage compartment from the suitcases, backpacks, dogs & cats being jolted around...

The inventory, as well as ourselves:

Completely battered.

I became calm again.

In my head:

Don't say anything, Flosse.

How do you meditate?

Can I leave my body?

Closed glubschers, just exist and hope that I don't vomit.

I didn't! - just to clarify.

But that was purely a matter of luck and total self-control.

Those were by far the longest 12 hours of my life, and I was more than happy to be able to leave that hellish vehicle alive and without vomit on my shirt after eternity.

It didn't matter that it was pitch dark by now.

It didn't matter that no taxi stopped in Puerto Escondido, and we had to wait for a damn long time with our heavy backpacks.

It didn't matter that I basically hadn't eaten anything all day and had the feeling in my mouth like ...Oh well, let's leave that...😜

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At some point, we stood in front of the bungalows right on the beach.

We were going to spend the next 2 nights here.

And I have no idea what we expected.

DEFINITELY NOT THIS.

Did the bus bring us to the Ballermann?

It was so loud.

Bar after bar.

The music vibrated at a different frequency every few meters.

And sooo many people.

Worst case scenario.

I was disappointed.

We heard the Pacific, which we reached in deep darkness, more than we saw it.

We didn't hold out for long anyway.

The hardships of the day took their toll.

I just wanted to go to bed.

BUENAS NOCHES and goodbye.

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Just before 5 a.m., the night was over again.

Drowsily tiptoeing into the bathroom.

It was a big room.

Where is the bathroom again?

Well, I better turn on the light.

SCREAM!!

A huge, long black wriggling insect to my right... An equally huge, although not as long, but very black spider to my left.

Did I just interrupt an insect fight?

The spider didn't survive for long.

By the way, until this very moment Juli does NOT know that I killed it with HER slipper. (sorry, Baby!)

I didn't want to get that close to the long creature.

Hello? I have boundaries?

I needed a glass.

A large glass.

And then that became the insect's "apartment" until we left the room again. 😃

Well, looks like a problem for the next person hehe...

(that's how I handle it at home too when something falls down)

WHAT CAN I SAY EXCEPT:

The magic of Puerto Escondido only unfolded in daylight.

It was awesome!!!

Blue sky.

No clouds at all.

The sun was scorching.

6-8 meter high waves.

Surfers everywhere.

The beach was almost empty.

Countless palm trees.

Having breakfast in hammocks at the beach.

Relaxed people.

This vibe here is indescribable.

We did everything right.

The hardships of the journey were forgotten.

("Were there any hardships??!")

Guys, we are in love!! ♥

I never thought it would be possible to surpass Thailand so quickly. Thailand was my favorite country, as you know.

But that's a thing of the past now.

Of course, you can't really compare the countries, but Mexico is just so intense.

🤩🇲🇽😍

We feel very comfortable and are glad that the Corona measures in Thailand were so silly that we ultimately decided against it.

We would have missed out on so much!!!

You often hear that everything is corrupt here. (although Germany should probably be quiet about that🤫)

You often hear about gangsters shooting each other and taxi mafiosos.

You hear that this and that is not safe and that people in bars & restaurants practically tear your money out of your hands.

However, we cannot confirm any of these horror stories!

You should be aware of the country you are in, of course.

And maybe not do anything that puts you in danger. (common sense and all)

But it's not any different in Berlin, is it?

I won't even walk alone at midnight in Alexanderplatz anymore.

Stay away from the drug cartels and buy your weed from Mexican T-shirt vendors on the beach instead! (CHECK ✅)

😜😝😜😝😜

Otherwise, maybe don't carry your ENTIRE stash of cash with you, so that in the event of a (robbery) case, your ENTIRE stash of cash doesn't change hands either.

(Who ever said I was rational)

But we don't have any fear in this country.

Not for a second. (Lie)

Besides, our biggest El Bandito is our dog, who has Mexican roots as a Chihuahua mix.

And the woman from the ExChange. She's also a real bandit.

But not half as cute as our doggo. 😠

Watch out - I had exactly 500 euros in cash with me.

I know that pretty well!

I repeatedly told Juli this amount. I knew the number of bills and even where each fold was, I had them in my hand so often.

So, I wanted to exchange 500 euros for pesos.

I gave her the bills.

Of course, she started talking in Spanish.

My 'No comprende' was understood as an invitation to speak even faster in Spanish.

She gave me 100 euros back.

We thought maybe she could only/might/may not exchange 400 euros.

We shrugged and waited for the pesos.

Usually, it goes like this:

You give the money... they count... write down the exchange rate with a calculator and calculate what you will get...

Then they count the money in front of your eyes and give you a receipt for it.

However, everything went wrong with her.

Her talking confused me at first.

Then she confused me by giving me back 100 euros.

She put the (counted only for HER) bills down for me without a comment, and of course, I didn't get a receipt either.

So, I started counting thousands of pesos, took out my own calculator, and noticed that she only gave me pesos for 300, not for 400 euros.

At first, I thought it was a mistake and used the translator app.

Immediately, she denied that I had ever given her 400 euros and just showed me a hundred less than she had received from me.

Like:

Here, look, this is what you gave me.

Man, I was angry.

I knew I didn't stand a chance.

I stood there for a few more minutes and argued with her, but:

I was ripped off, and I couldn't change it anymore.

What a bitch, seriously!!

That was, however, the "worst" thing that had happened to us here so far.

100 euros is not a small amount of money, and it took me a few hours and a few mojitos to calm down again, but... the waves... the weather... Ah!

¡Dios mío!

We don't want to leave anymore.

And especially when we think about our recent trips to Africa and compare the mentality of the people - so fucking contrary!!

Mexicans are friendly.

Polite.

Warm-hearted.

(except for the ExChange lady, of course)

And even if they want to sell you something - you say Gracias or shake your head imperceptibly - they immediately leave you alone and move on. Sometimes they even smile and wish you a good day.

It's so so pleasant.

We feel like we're in a different galaxy.

Yes, the masks are annoying. It's tough here. This thing in front of the mouth is omnipresent.

Hand sanitizer everywhere, and you can't enter larger supermarkets and bus terminals without a temperature check.

But everything else is just perfect.

We have already decided to come back.

And because it's said that you should leave when it's the most beautiful and Mexico is too big to just stand still, we decided to get on the bus again and continue along the coast to Puerto Angel.

A place that is supposed to be more original.

A place right on a picturesque bay where swimming is ALLOWED in contrast to this beach here.

Because Puerto Escondido actually has a pretty strong surf, and it is one of the places with the highest and wildest waves in the world.

Who would have thought.

Surfing competitions are regularly held here.

In autumn, the waves supposedly reach 10-12 meters easily. Even now, the sea is so rough that we actually see surfers several times a day walking out of the water with disappointed faces and broken surfboards under their arms.

Broken like a toothpick.

Many people apparently also overestimate the current and drown in it.

There are a lot of wooden surfboards set up as a memorial with names and dates on the beach.

There are quite a lot of them!

Many young people around 18-20.

Some even younger.

Some older.

I was knee-deep in the water and could clearly feel that I probably wouldn't have much of a chance if I lost my footing in the water just when a wave broke over me.

The lifeguards are really watching closely.

They often blow their whistles or have to save lives with their jet skis when overly eager people misjudge their strength.

Seen it myself!

It happens incredibly quickly.

Well.. Anyway, it would be nice to immerse the entire body in the Pacific, so we're looking forward to Puerto Angel.

Even if we will miss the monster waves here, it's nice to finally be able to go swimming properly.

I wonder how it will be??...

Well, you'll find out if you click on the next link that will definitely come....

So

Hasta Mañana

or something like that!