Thoughts on Baja, mainland Mexico, and beyond.

This is the last entry for this trip. (I promise).

Thanks everyone for following along and checking in throughout these last 5000 miles. When I was in the midst of various challenges, and working through all the emotions that come with new challenges, reading your comments and e-mails brought me back to center. Mas muchas gracias. I have lots of detailed information, about the surface of Baja, along with a little insight, (with an emphasis on “little”), into and beyond it. Should any of you be considering going to any of the areas mentioned in this blog, let me know. You know I would look forward to talking about it.

If you’re not interested in me waxin’ for a minute, you might want to skip the following thoughts but at least scroll down to the pictures of what I refer to as Mexico’s “Paris”, a Spanish colonial city named Guanajuato, Mexico, for a glimpse of this beautiful and medieval city.

Connections.
In the little time spent thinking about this trip since returning,

the thing that stands out the most so far is how alive and fluid the space we live in, really is. Obviously that’s not rocket science but while immersed in the big waters and riding the bike through space, I could actually feel it.

I felt it and then actually saw it after putting three consecutive big mile days on the bike and thinking about the 5000 miles just ridden as I was returning home. The air became water and I could actually see and feel the wake and turbulence off to the sides as the motor pulled me through it. Ok, “So what”, you say, “You were delirious”. Well, that may be true but I only mention it as an example of a much larger realization for me.

To help better describe it, I share a quote given to me at the beginning of this trip. Rho said that while this quote was intended for walkers, it also holds true for motorcyclists. I would like to add to this by suggesting that it holds true for all of us as we move through this beautiful and incredible space together; "When you walk, you are massaging the earth. In the same way, the earth is trying to help you to balance your organism and mind. Understand this relationship and try to respect it. May your steps have the firmness of a lion, the elegance of a tiger and the dignity of an emperor".

Another realization was how important it was, (and I really had no choice), to trust. Trusting other people, myself, the landscape, and everything around me. Because of this, I can’t begin to tell you how by doing so helped me realize so many cool relationships, and to explore and discover. In retrospect, being forced to trust was the best thing that came from this trip and I am in awe of what it brought me.

Lessons Learned

If you dont "want a pickle, go out and ride your motorcycle"... (Arlo Guthrie; http://www.arlo.net/resources/lyrics/motorcycle-arlo.shtml ) Check out the lyrics and Arlo's story of the song.

When in Mexico asking for directions, do not confuse the Spanish words Direcho with Direcha. (Look ‘em up if you don’t know the English translations). I did confuse them when spoken to me, unfortunately, way too often.

Guanajuato, Mexico
Here is a view from the top, in Guanajuato. The city was built on top of the mines in the 1500's by the wealthy Spanish mine owners.
El centro is filled with history and charachter. They have a nice theatre that is a great example of this...
and stunning architecture.

Here is a shot looking down one of the side streets.

Every time I turned my head, I was transfixed by how incredible this town is.



Which got me lost on ocassion. So I stopped in here to gather myself...


These Cantina's are for men only. "Yes Robin, if you were to walk in they would ask you to leave". At the end of the bar is a trough or urinal. I thought it was pretty convenient, Robin seemed to be a little disgusted by it. Unfortunately they wouldnt let me take any pictures of the inside.


The streets heading into el centro were a better representation of the architecture generally found throughout the cities in Mexico. Smooth flowing lines and rich colors...


Here is a shot of the morning set up's going on for the mercado.



Hope you enjoyed as much as I did posting. See you again soon for the next adventure.

La Paz. jb