Trip to Mexico: Creel

11/13/08

We are waiting for our bus to creel, since we got here right as the noon bus left. This morning as we left the hostel Philip (owner) pointed us to and told us how to get to a smaller, closer bus station. Long story short, we fucked up and ended up riding the bus around town until we arrived back at THE PLAZA. Tried to get the fuck out of there... caught the right bus this time. Anthony talked to a very nice man who plays guitar in his church. He gave us each una naranja (orange) a nice break from tacos.

Jakes Account
the crew has become tired of Chihuahua. the food stops have become scarce. we venture to the land of creel and the valley of the erect penises shortly. never again shall i walk the lonely street 20 Noviembre. As the sun is high over head, we wait. the time shall come, shortly, when the tiresome crew boards the transport vehicle. the canyon is calling. only then will we break our addiction to riding autobuses. sigh.

"When in Mexico" by Jake Smith

Travel to Juarez
But only to pass through it
you are not welcome

visit chihuahua
street vendors sell burritos
your mouth will thank you

stroll the mercado
live under a sombrero
to air condition

ride the local bus
once is enough. twice too much
then leave the city

copper canyon calls
the scenery is pretty
enjoy while it lasts

Poems by Anthony

there once was a crew from Socorro
who went seeking pouta y ero
to old Mexico
the north they did go
until they were chased ba a toro.

they ate at a great taqueria
which they loved with much gustaria
out on Juarez street
the food cant be beat
until it becomes diarrhea!

10 or 11pm
we are now in Casa de Margarita. Total Cost $400 MX/Night. This included a decent room and 2 meals each per day!!!! Talked to some lovely British blokes who are currently living the dream-hitchhiking, sailing the Atlantic, etc.... They claim the stereotype of the heavy drinking Englishman is true. They are Jake's idols. Food was EXCELLENT. (especially after days of nothing but tacos y burritos) Water hasn't made me sick. Anthony and I drank Mezcal just to be safe.

1/14/08
Lauryn hogged all the covers so Anthony was cold last night. We got up, had excellent breakfast. Rented mountain bikes (Antrhony talked him down from $150 to $120- haggling!) After wandering around creel we found the right road. Had to pay $15 MX a piece to use it! AMAZING ride- saw valley of the frogs, valley of the mushrooms, a lake, and the valley of the erect penises. (at least that's what the Tarahumara call it) the Tara lifestyle is amazing- aside from the occasional satellite dish, or car, or begging, it looks like their way of living hasn't changed in hundreds of years. They weren't surly, but definitely not super friendly to tourists. They raise a lot of goats. At the lake, as we pulled into a spot to eat lunch, some guys about our age drove in and started blasting mexican music while drinking beer and smoking. As for the valley of erect penises.... only pictures do it justice.

Casa de Margarita is an amazing place. There are people from everywhere and they all have stories to tell. its so strange to hear so many different accents and styles can come together in a crowded dining hall over a long-awaited hot meal.

1/15/08
Cloudy and cold out with a chance of snow.... doesn't look like our plan of hitchhiking is going to pan out. Good day to stay indoors or in a vehicle perhaps. Nothing in this town opens before 9. and that's Creel time. So god only knows. We are going to go get our picture taken with the statue of Jesus now.

We went and saw Jesus... hes doing well. Lauryn almost died walking up the hill which would have been convenient because she was on her way to meet him anyway. Nice views from top of hill. Went into town, finally broke down and bought 30 minutes on the Internet!

1/16/08
Had a long siesta yesterday- then went to dinner and met a Canadian couple: Rocco, a butcher, and his vegetarian wife. They were quite friendly. Rocco bought us a round of XX! he liked our Mezcal! Told a lot of funny jokes. We all believe that his stalwart beard killed all the Nazis. Went to the bar and drank with some LA frat boys. They are driving a Subaru station wagon to Chile/Peru. It has a Plexiglas window/door.

Anthony got drunk last night. He was pretty happy. We ate breakfast with Rocco and Claudia and they gave us a fruit cake from Trader Joe's. Jake is sick this morning. He has the traveler's diarrhea. The only ATM in Creel is broken.