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Erica's page Dec. 4 The computer experts finally deemed me worthy of using one of the three laptops along on the bus. First and foremost I would like to discount any information provided on my personal statement. Kristen threatened me with death if I changed anything! Lies, all lies.... except for the part about seeing naked people at a young age, I'm scarred. Thanks mom!!! The bus drive itself has been an exciting adventure (James puts it very well in the journal) and we're not even out of the states yet. As one of the "virgin" bus travelers I am impressed at how comfortable our living room on wheels is. All comfort except for the sleeping. Nine of us in here has gotten a little cramped. That should get better though as we head further south. We'll be able to sleep on the roof rack or in our tents. In the three days we have been on the road the weather has already improved considerably. The snow storm that we encountered on our way out of Bend was a little discouraging, but we have a great bus and a confident driver! Today we went shopping in Phoenix I can't say it was great, but now I've been there. I'm excited to get out of the country for the real adventure to begin! Hopefully tomorrow that will happen. Dec. 6 We made it to Mexico!!! It was so easy to get across the border..... no trouble with the dogs and the guy at immigration just briefly looked inside before waving us through. All that worrying for nothing. Tonight we are parked about 20 feet from the highway 100 miles north of Chihuahua. It isn't the most scenic of campsites, but Greg (the bus) offers coziness even out here in the middle of nowhere. We had no choice but to pull over with night coming, I guess it's pretty sketchy to drive around here after dark. I don't even want to imagine. Tonight I'm either suffering from the effects of my first meal in Mexico or the Malaria medication I started yesterday most likely it's a combination of the two. A little taste of what we have to look forward to. Luckily we have a ample supply of scented candles. Looking forward to getting further south! The ocean and the tropics! Dec. 7 Driving deeper into Mexico. We woke up early at our campsite at the dusty pull out at the side of the toll way. Our first stop was in Chihuahua at the banco. I exchanged the rest of my cash in for pesos. I'm rich! The exchange rate right now gives you 9.04 pesos to the dollar, so money spending is relatively painless. The run in with the toll booth protest was a funny coincidence. We were one of the last cars to pay the toll before the crowds came for the free toll celebration. A short bathroom stop and the bus was totally blocked in by an assortment of farm trucks. We sat and watched from the roof of the bus for at least an hour before someone offered to move the vehicles that were blocking us in. The big white bus full of gringos toting bright kayaks was quite a spectacle. I think that tomorrow we'll be in the local papers, a man came up to interview us and took some pictures. Dinner was much more successful for me than yesterdays meal. I managed not to order another pork rind burrito! I guess that chunks of pig fat don't qualify as meat in some countries. Ordering is becoming a funny adventure.... sometimes things go smoothly and other times I end up looking (and feeling) lost as someone rattles off a bunch of gibberish. Better remember to ask simple questions and make it really clear that things need to be explained slowly and simply. The weather is finally getting better. Mace had a theory that all countries were cold in the north, explaining our first chilly day in Mexico.... after a warm day in El Paso. It will get warmer as we head south though. If this theory holds true we should have really warm weather in a day or so. I finished my first novel today! Lots of time sitting on the bus. Tonight I'm going to sleep on top of the bus under the street lamp, it's a warm night. We're camping at a rest area near one of the many toll road booths that we've passed through. Another hour was gained this evening so midnight still feels early. Dec. 8 Kristin, Scout and I went for a short run this morning. We decided to turn around after discovering a pile of animal legs... cow I think. Luckily Scout didn't notice them. It's very humid and the skies are brown with pollution, not the best for our jogging addiction. The landscape resembles what we saw driving through Arizona. The desert is desolate and beautiful. Mesas and plants I have never seen before stretch out in every direction. Today will be warm. Dec. 13 Writing in our travel journal has gotten pretty sparse for me lately. These bumpy Mexican roads are not too conducive of typing. We've come into a whole different world! After the adventure around Mexico city (nice work Greg and James!) we crossed an amazing mountain pass up to 10,000 ft. and now are deep in a lush jungle land. It's beautiful and humid here. I truly feel I am a long way from home. Last night we roamed around in a little town where 12th of December festivities were going on..... the immaculate conception I think? (Is Christmas really going to be here in two weeks??!!) People have been remarkably friendly to us despite our best attempts at communication being broken spanglish. Encounters with others are generally amusing and confusing, but everyone has been really patient. At the festivities some kids asked us how much we wanted for Scout. A big wolf-dog is quite a site here. Most people clear away in fear and no one will venture to pet him without asking if he bites. A good friend to have walking around in an unfamiliar town. Today we are heading to the Mayan ruin of Palenque. It has been a few days since we have had a big escape from driving. I'm excited to get out of the bus for awhile! I have read a lot about the ruins it will be quite an experience to see them in person. Later.... Today I roamed around the ruins of Palenque with Jessica and Kyle. They were amazing!! It's hard to imagine all the people who used to make this place home nearly two thousand years ago. It must have been such an impressive sight! We also got to hear our first howler monkeys in the jungles steeply rising beyond the ruins. They barked and moaned to one another as we sat wondering if those sounds could really originate from a small primate. If I didn't know better I would have envisioned some horrible blood thirsty beasts. It is hot and humid here! I thought of Tali making me go to the sauna.... you would have been proud of us today I must have sweated out three liters. Tonight we are in a RV park of sorts just beyond the entrance to Palenque. We have dubbed it the hippie camp.... there are people from all over the world making an outdoor hostel of sorts. The bus fits in well. We have decided to stay here for two nights. Tomorrow there is supposed to be an eclipse of the sun so we are going to stick around to check it out from the ruins. Dec. 20 Well, three days on the beach have offered a wonderful break from driving. Sea kayaking and snorkeling filled our days. Now I feel like we are really on vacation! I can't believe that Christmas is less than a week away. I'll miss my family, but I'm sure I'll manage to have a good time with my new friends. Tonight we will be near tulum a mayan ruin which goes along the beach. Dec. 22 Well, we made it! We entered Belize yesterday after a horribly long, confusing visit with the border. First they were trying to tell us that we would have to take everything off the bus and take it through by hand, but we were able to convince someone to come and inspect the bus itself after nearly three hours. It is a bit strange to encounter English speaking people again (beside those of us on the bus). Just when I was getting used to communicating with my pathetic Spanish I don't need to use it anymore. Right now we are on our way to a wildlife sanctuary along the Northern Highway. The need to pick up another traveler in Belize City tomorrow has forced us to find a way to entertain ourselves somewhere north of the city. Belize is a beautiful country so far. Here we are in a swampy area with sparse pine and little palm trees. Very different from anything I have seen before. This road is incredibly bumpy, I guess that is one of the trademarks of this country. Typing will have to wait for later.
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