Jul 21, 2011 - My Love...

Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico A good friend, Jim Duggan, (I call him hacksaw) recently asked me if I would be subsisting on straight up tacos during this expedition. Jim, the following story will answer your question. Today was an important day for me, a day to overcome obstacles, move forward and not back. ¨For those that live in the past are doomed to repeat it.¨ For those of you that have been following my missives over the last few years know that I live on one meal in Mexico, the ¨taco al pastor´, complemented by all types of street...

Nov 13, 2010 - Day 13

Day 13 - La Libertad, El Salvador to Tapachula, Mexico Starting Odometer: 32590 Miles traveled today: 470 So, we made a big decision during our layover in El Salvador to turn back. A number of factors were considered – mostly the fact that we have a sense that we’re running out of time and that we’ve really yet to have faced any adversity. We’ve been so fortunate health-wise, weather-wise and, most importantly, mechanically. These bikes are incredible and have handled anything we or the elements have put them through. They’re our lifeline...

Jul 24, 2010 - TP 4 U & ME

Ever wonder how much toilet paper other people use? Me no. If you have, that is disgusting... and weird. nevertheless, I cant help but make an observation. In these parts there are many public restrooms. Throughout my journey I´ve seen many and visited a few. I generally use the streets for added comfort and accessibility. The public baños are putrid, the type of place you try and avoid much less dare rest your cheeks. How it works is the following: you pay a few cents, they give you toilet paper and you can figure out the rest. Generally...

Jul 23, 2010 - Tacos in Tapachula

I¨m so happy to be in Mexico. I slept like a donkey last night. It cost 200 pesos ($18). I¨m styling! My fieldwork is an arduos task that has me working the streets on 14 hour days. With that said, I decided to take the day off to photograph the vibrant, local culture. Enjoy the photos. I just breakfasted 3 pieces of fried chicken. Since entering into Mexico, I´ve put myself on a strict diet of street food: tacos, fried chicken, lemon and chillied fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juices. There will be no restaurants on this part of the...

Feb 1, 2008 - Tehuantepec to Tapachula

Feb1 Tehuantepec to Tapachula, at Guatamala border. 285 miles 1545 miles from McAllen, 2574 miles from home. Warm when we left and 98 degrees by the time we got to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In this area it is only about 100 miles across from the Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico) to the Pacific Ocean and the trade winds blow strong this time of year. Crosswind was worse than that time in Wyoming, bikes in front of me were leaning 10 to 20 degrees for about 60 miles. Not as much when the buckbrush and trees were along the road but in clear areas...

Apr 30, 2007 - Puerto Chiapas - Tapachula - Izapa

We were up for room service breakfast this morning and enjoyed it overlooking the harbour at Puerta Chiapas. We left on a tour of nearby Tapachula. This is a new port for cruise ships and the local people go out of their way to welcome you with dancing at the dock and shows in the town square. We found everyone friendly, but lacking in English - though as unilingual English speakers we have no right to complain. We stopped first at a Church which dates from the 16th century then visited the town hall with two impressive and symbolic glass...

Mar 18, 2007 - Tapachula Mexico

On this trip we have to be innovative as to where we park for the night. Today we stayed at an international airport after crossing the Mexico/Guatemala border. Of course there is only a couple of flights a day, so we were not bothered by plane noise. Only the racket that hundreds of birds in the tree were making after sunset. Actually, this place was not bad, as it was paved and quiet. We have stayed in soccer fields, motel parking lots, beaches, streets in front of hotels, horse pastures, 250 year old plantation ruins, casino parking...