Made it to day 7!!

Hey all

I've made it to day seven, my toes aren't quite caked with dirt, my shirts are relatively clean, and my spirits are high.

I write this from a hostel in Puerto Vallerta, the Oasis Hostel, roughly one mile from the picturesque, popular beaches. This traveller's home away from home rests on the outskirts of an intimate working class city. I was hesitant to choose this hostel due to its isolation, but now recognize its great location. The twenty minute walk to the beach takes one from narrow cobblestone streets and crumbling buildings, to a bustling city with resturaunts and shops lining the street. Its interesting to see two completely different standards of living so close to each other, clashing in both appearance and atmosphere. It reminds me of the eight minute drive between the center of Cape Town and Khayelitsha, a nearby Township.

Quick rundown of the trip thus far, read this in one breath!

Flew into Hermosillo thursday night where I spent the night in the tiny, bug-filled Hotel Washington. Getting myself out of the hotel to dinner was a bit tough, but I grew some chesticles and took the city by storm! Bus west the next day to a tiny beachfront village Bahia de Kino. Absolutely breathtaking views, zero tourists, no english, very few anything to be precise. I spent two nights there, soaking up the peace and quite of the first true paradise I had ever been to. On Sunday morning I jumped on a bus back to Hermosillo (rode next to a man with a chicken), afterwhich I took a second bus 130km south to the port city Guaymas. I got off the bus in a seemingly rough part of Guaymas, bear in mind this is Mexico, most of the country is rough, but this part of Guaymas was very unattractive. After a half hour walk I said 'you know what, lets just keep going.' Walked back to the station and grabbed another bus south to Los Mochis, a city comparable in size (and intimidation) to Hermosillo.

Hotel here, restaurant there, from Los Mochis I moved south to Mazatlan, and from there further south to where I am now, Puerto Vallarta.

I have been walking everywhere; my clothing may stink and my hair may resemble a rug, but my calves GLISTEN in the sun! I think I take after Pop in that I refuse to take any form of a taxi.

To wrap this up, I know you are all busy busy bees out there, I should say that I have been alone the entire time, but have found myself feeling safe and secure in almost every environment. I am often overcome with a feeling of intensity when I think about what I am doing, and that has made this experience that much more powerful. I am glad to be alone, I sense myself growing and maturing each day.

I promise to have a few pictures and a more detailed, crass posting up as soon as the trip permits. I do not know where I'll be tomorrow, or even tonight, but I hope to make it over to Zacatecas safely and soon.

Hope all is well on the homefront, wherever that may be.

Regards,

Stinkyfeet (a most accurate description of my current condition)