Jul 25, 2011 - Feeling sucio!!!

I sometimes wonder why parts of Mexico are so filthy? How do this happen? What is it about this place? Do people not clean? I mean, I see cleansing products all over the place. I see people spraying and cleaning things all the time. How come they can´t keep it real? When everything is dirty, you feel dirty. I feel dirty right now. I´m considering starting a power washing business to disinfect the dirt encrusted buildings and verminous streets. I also wonder why they make banana soda?? Who drinks this? Why does Mexico, and Central America...

Jul 24, 2011 - Snoring...

I´m currently in Ixtepec, Oaxaca. I´m so into the name Ixtepec, Oaxaca. I enjoy repeating it over and over. It sounds so bad ass...kind of like myself! So, not much is going on here. I´ve been wandering around the town and the train tracks looking for some action. Ixtepec is very different form last summer. This year it´s been a grind digging up stories. There are very few people meandering around the tracks which is generally where they represent. With the lack of action, I´ve been spending time volunteering in La Casa del Migrante...

Jul 23, 2011 - I have to pee...

Ixtepec, Oaxaca A few blog followers have asked for a visual of the legendary taco al pastor. I have included picture #1 for your viewing pleasure. Although it is nearly impossible to avoid the formidable sound of the train, especially in small towns, I have managed to sleep through a few departures in Arriaga. Very disappointing considering La Bestia is one of the main reasons I am in the field. These departures are particularly interesting being that is is the beginning of the train route This is the most amount of people you´ll see on...

Jul 31, 2010 - WTF

I find myself craving the King Cone. Not sure if you are familiar with this item. It is a ready made cone with fake ice cream and nuts on top. it comes in a pretty fancy wrapping and it is typically found in a waist high freezer towards the front of a store. I like them...I like them...alloott. i'm still in Ixtepec, can't seem to leave this place. Hard not to be affected by what i'm seeing, witnessing a 2 year old baby on the train today. Strapped to her dad's back and completely unaware of her surroundings, her dad carefully climbed down...

Jul 29, 2010 - ixtepec, oaxaca

Ixtepec, Oaxaca By the time Hondu gets to Ixtepec undoubtedly he has been assaulted, robbed, ripped off, injured, you name it. Most arrive here without any money and have to beg for food. Some even arrive without shoes. As he gets off the train many seek the Casa del Migrante, a network of migrant shelters run by the Catholic Church. In the shelter, Hondu is fed, given a place to rest and, most importantly, "protection" from bad people. Inevitable, however, bad people are disguised as migrants to find out information about people. They are...

Feb 1, 2010 - Juchitan via Pochutla & Tehuantepec

Left S.J. del Pacifico 9am, stop 15min later for rest stop-brkfst. Great views of mtns, pines, deep valleys. Yesterday traveling up mtn I don´t think I ever have gone over more topos (speed bumps) in one 4 hrs stretch...today, never more turns, switchbacks, and curves...no part of highway went straight for more than 100 feet!, I swear! The 2 laner stuck close to the mtnside...straight up & down it seemed, almost totally covered with forest & undergrowth (alot of clear cutting going on, tho). A very unique and spectacular ride on hwy 175,...