A very very very very long bus ride from San Francisco to Chihuahua in Mexico. It took over 36 hours in all, and 2 consecutive nights on the bus. As we left SF to LA it seemed like a big mistake. The Greyhounds are compact (crammed), and the first 15 people all pick a window set. Everyone else has to decide who to sit next to - and pick wisely. The ´gentleman´behind me was drinking meths from a bottle in a paper bag and periodically vomited it back. At least the journey went quickly for him, even if it dragged immeasurably for everyone else. After LA there were a few spare seats and the people became less scarey as we headed east. But that didn´t change the fact that a person over 6ft in height physically can not get their knees behind the seat in front with their feet on the floor.

I was initially scared about being in Mexico. A quick look at the advice from our FO will explain why. But so far so good. Chihuahua was really nice. Fountains, squares and friendly people. We are even picking up a few words of Espagnol from the locals that we´ve met.

At first we were unsure why people were staring at us so much. Surely it is quite a touristy area, and the sight of ´people like us´can not be so strange. One afternoon Jim got a hair cut, and the staring stopped!!

After learning a little about the Mexican revolution we set off on the Copper Canyon rail journey. The rails give access to a series of Canyons 5 times the size of The Grand Canyon. We broke the journey in Creel. This proved to be a great move. We met some really interesting people in the hostel (including M and S, Canadians from Prince George who often visit Mexico during the snowy season), we had a trip to the rim of the Canyon for some views, and visited some of the indiginous communities in the area. We then continued our journey to the Mexican Pacific coast, but this train journey took a little longer than usual because one of the engines had de railled the previous day. A French film crew had apparently been there to wittness events, but the locals quickly removed them from the site.

We have spent a whole day in Mazatlan, needing a break from being constantly on the move. It has been very relaxing, but very hot. Creel was cold due to the altitude, and our duvert jackets were again very useful. But at sea level only 2 days later we are desperate to stay cool and stay out of the midday sun. Mazatlan is rather built up with a large Hotel Zone and many Americans. The old town is nice with narrow streets and close access to the sea. The fishing boats still operate, and are literally rolled up the beach on tree trunk rollers with their morning catch. The sea was really rough, with kite surfers enjoying the rips.

After walking around the resort most of the day, we spotted a calm bit of beach just before the sun set. How warm was the water? I have never experienced swimming in sea so warm - even in the Med in August. It has to be experienced to be believed.

So, Mexico is working out quite well so far, and our language is even developing enough such that we can negotiate bed prices, and have an idea of the food that might arrive when we order it. We both wish we´d had different options at school in relation to langauages, as Spanish seems so widely spoken and understood in the world. But, as they say, its never too late to learn!