I will begin by introducing the cast of characters I traveled with - my fellow
adventurers from Alaska: first there was me, otherwise known as Mariposa
(meaning Butterfly- of course?) or when the mood was right, Fried Dough.
then there was Sam Marie, my vegetarian friend who gradually acquired the
names Carcass (not vegetarian anymore- to an extreme) and Stoney
McStonerson. jeremy was quickly blessed with the nickname Eye-taco (I’ll let
your imagination run wild with that one) and later on, Rollzumal. last but
not least, my friend Jelena, brought it home as The Refugee and Corkitta.

i won’t bore you with numerous details because I know your mouse is hovering
on the back button, but I will reveal a few traveling highlights. we arrived in
Mexico in time for Morelia’s “Day of the Dead” celebration, where
many families remember the deceased and the continuity of life. It’s not a
morbid occasion, but rather a festive time- beautiful murals, food and booze
offerings, candles and flowers were found throughout the city.

We slowly made our way to the Pacific coast, through Zihuatinajo (our first
taste of the beach), to Puerto Escondido. there we enjoyed watching the
sunset as brave surfers tackled some of the biggest and best waves in the
world. We decided to hit a little beach called Mazunte for a night and it
turned into a four-day blur. we caught some fish, swam with turtles, saw
orca and dolphins and spent a lot of time in hammocks. tried my feet at
surfing and let’s just say I stunk….I feel my gigantic feet alone act as
better surfboards - obviously i’m a little frustrated just writing about it.
I also started my own stray-dog adoption agency…I had a posse that protected
me from drug dealers and other riffraff roaming the beach - lord knows I
needed it.

We made our way to Oaxaca City, visiting the vast ruins of Monte Alban and
then shot up to San Cristobal. There we prepared our own little thanksgiving
meal where my friend Carcass was given her nickname. It was also here that
we met up with friend, The Refugee. we visited a shamanic-catholic church in
the surrounding village of San Juan Chamula - a religion intertwining both the
catholic and ancient indigenous beliefs. no pues, the floors covered in pine
needles and candles and only two chickens were sacrificed while we were there…
wild!

Guatemala was raw and I loved it - while winding through the mountains we’d
see people emerge from the jungle in their authentic, colorful clothing - in
some really desolate areas too. We stayed at the beautiful lake Atitlan for
4 days, hiked a volcano, biked, sat in some thermal pools and got really stupid.
It was obvious we were following the gringo trail because Europeans and
Americans were everywhere. we hiked a live volcano outside of Antigua, not
making it to the steaming summit due to the wind, a wind that nearly blew me off my feet…..that’s a strong wind.

From here we traveled deep into the jungle to Samuc Champey - praised as the
most beautiful spot in Guatemala. I agreed. It’s a natural limestone arch,
forming a bridge over the raging Cohaban river. A stepladder of waterfalls
and emerald pools on the archway ooze beauty. I’ve never seen anything like
it. We then moved on to the fascinating Tikal - Mayan ruins swallowed up by
the jungle. Ancient pyramids poking there peaks through the jungle trees and
wildlife everywhere: spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tucans, pizotes (some
raccoon looking guys), funky looking deer (I was told it is similar to the
dick-dick), leaf cutter ants and many cool birds. We slept in hammocks that
night and a few howler monkeys decided to pay us a visit….they sound fierce
and loud....but the buggers are small.

A very interesting and glorious thing happened at this point. After non-stop
traveling for 43 days another co-worker of ours sent some positive news. A
passenger from one of our boat trips this summer was lending us their place
in Akumal, mexico (in the Yukatan). We jumped at the opportunity and headed
in that direction. To our surprise it was a two-story house ON one of the
most beautiful beaches in the area - I was really upset there wasn’t a gym…
ha. It was from here that we visited our last ruins of the trip in Tulum
(overlooking the ocean), snorkeled in some cenotes (underground rivers) and
visited the site where they just finished filming the new Temptation Island.
Sarah breaks up with Greg to be with Sally…..huge twist at the end…sorry for
ruining it. We ate huge meals and munched on brownies for two days straight…..
melting into the sand….

A perfect ending to an amazing trip……

As for me right now….My plan is to come up with a plan…..then plan to execute
that plan in January. If my plan falls through, I plan to make another plan. Who knows
… I’m thinking maybe something to do with massage therapy, animal shelters,
cooking and skiing. There’s got to be something out there that caters to these things.

Hope all is well and I wish you a joyous holiday if i don't see or speak to you.

Krumme