15 JUL 97

Hello from Puerto Vallarta. Since the last update I have spent a couple days at Puerto Escondido and three days in Oaxaca. Oaxaca is a great town for shopping, but I was sick and so it was a great day to stay in bed, but of course I am working, so it was a great day to sit in the van while the passengers looked at ruins, shopped and drank mezcal. I was only sick for one day, so then we went to Mexico City and said goodbye. Now I am headed up the Pacific coast of Mexico towards Los Angeles. So far on this trip we have visited the 2000 year old ruins at Teotihuacan, the old rich Americans at San Miguel de Allende, a great city called Guanajuato where we saw mummies and I drove the van under the city in a former river bed, and a boat trip on Lake Patzcuaro. I also did a 25 km hike up a 40 year old still steaming volcano in under five hours. I was well knackered after that effort. Then on to Guadalajara and now I am staying in Saylita, near Puerto Varllarta. I have arranged this 19 day trip to only include four nights of camping. I know, I am a great tour leader! We are spending the day in this town, but my passengers have complained that there are too many Americans, so we will go out to swim in some waterfalls soon instead. Thank you to all of you who have mailed me here in Mexico. It is nice to keep in touch. Now it is time to go brave Mexican traffic again. Adios.