Nasdravi

So I'm in Prague and wanted to post my last blog...da, da, da. It's been a very difficult last month. And hard to leave beautiful Mexico with daily sunshine and warmth. Prague is more dreary, for the pensive souls. Change is inevitable and because of that, I am here.
A quote that I read this morning describes some of how I feel:
"Whatever is heavy and difficult, as long as it is only borne properly, also marks the precise weight of life. It teaches us the measure by which we may know our strength and which we may then also apply when we feel blessed with happiness."
Jack and I have bid each other farewell after a beautiful and epic adventure by bicycle. I will never forget this time and will look back on it with (mostly) fond memories. Goodbye Mexico.
Goodbye Jack. Goodbye pollitos.

The End

The theme song to "Idaho to Mexico" is a song by Vicente Fernadez, called Estos Celos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZViNUx6pQ

I crossed Nogales with little more than a hurmphuff from the boarder cop, easier than crossing the Canadian boarder. Soon I will be in freezing cold, then in cold rain.

Yes, I miss Mexico.

Dominoes

I just learned how to play Dominoes from Poncho the Great. He beat me, really bad. I mean, who would think it was a game of skill and cunning?
Also, he gave a bottle of cologne. Avon "Wild Country" Colonia para Caballero. Watch out ladies, I'm going to smell flammable.

Tomorrow: good byes and carne asada.

Vamos

Leah left Mexico yesterday afternoon on a jet plane. She left me for her Mother, who lives and works in Prague. Lucky girl.

I am alone with Maggie the dog, house sitting Ken and Roberta's place in Colima and making plans to travel North, while at the same time drowning my sorrows in over sized beer bottles and choking my breath with cigarette smoke.

Good bye Leah.
Good bye Mexico.
Good bye hot sunshine, delicious food, cheap beer, and delicious food.

Hello bus ride from hell. Colima, Col. Mexico to Helena, MT usa, what took Leah and I two and a half months will take a grueling 61 hours on a bus.

Ginger Rock

I was in Guadalajara gaining inspiration by the Ginger Ninjas and their pleasant revolution. Holy crap these bikers rock. They are completely self contained, including sound system, cello, full drum set, tools, costumes, todos. They started in Northern California and are leaving for Mexico City in a couple days, maybe. They travel by way of magic and their force is a powerful one, attracting attention from radio, newspaper, and elected officials.

They pedal by day, rock out by night. Their shows are pedal powered by 12 volt motors that audience members are encouraged to pedal as the Ninjas rock their funk-folk-booty-shakin-mountain-groove. Electric and legend making, they speak from the heart and move by people power. Their impact is huge to the physique and minimal to the environment. Check them out: http://www.gingerninjas.com/

So, I got to hang out with them for a couple days; very inspirational. The Ninjas performed the night I got to Guadalajara until late-ish. The next day we awoke early to ride with the mayor of Guadalajara on the Sunday-shutdown. Every Sunday Guadalajara shuts down 25 kilometers of city streets to bicycle and pedestrian enjoyment. The city lends out 300 bikes for free and thousands of people turn the 25 kilometers into an all day parade of happy folks. The Mayor is interested in expanding the program and has sent delegates to witness the success in other areas. In addiction, a bicycle summit has been organized to further the dialogue of improving bicycle travel within Jalisco. Also encouraging is the fact that Guadalajara is sister cities with Portland, Oregon, a world renowned bicycle friendly city.

After the bike ride, they Ninjas set-up and performed a show in a government owned structure along the closed off road. Then, they tore down and loaded everything on their extracycles and biked over to the next venue, where they played a long set.It is completely inspiring for me in terms of entertainment via bicycle. Or education via bicycle. And both.

Thank you Ginger Ninjas for your Pleasant Revolution.

Sharky goes to Mexico

Mark, Leah's Dad, flew into Manzanillo last Saturday. Leah met him at the airport and I guess they hitched to Melaque.

I hope they are having the time of their life.
I am in Colima, watching television and getting a beer gut.