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Day 7---
10-21, Huehuetenango, Guatemala to San
Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, 2175 miles
 We
are so happy to be here in Guatemala. It seems like it should
be just the same as Mexico, but it is not. The cities are
different, the traffic, the people, the clothes,the markets
are all different from what we are used to seeing. We took
a 40 quetzal taxi ride to a local ruin the first thing this
morning and wandered around for awhile. A one quetzal bus
ride got us back into town--a much more interesting way
to travel, at least short distances.....and we think the
taxi guy might of seen us coming. Guatemala is famous for
it´s handmade cloth, and Debbie had a great time in the
native market examining and buying beautiful woven samples.
Guatemalan women weave cloth on a backstrap loom, and then
embroider on the top of the weaving. The colors and patterns
they use are characteristic of their home villages throughout
their country, so if you know the
language of the threads you can tell where they are from.
Guatemala is much more rugged and mountainous than Mexico
and the villages are more isolated ( and individualistic)
as a result. What a great country!
Only with great reluctance and a vow
to return did we turn north. The border crossing was record
easy--but did warrant another insecticide  spray
for little Schmutzi.
So back to the land of topes! Just about
170km north of the border lies San Cristobal de las Casas,
Chiapas, an old mountain town that attracts world wide tourists
all year long. Less well known is that it is the center
for study of the Lacondon Indians who inhabit the isolated
jungles and mountains to the east. The center of this study
in San Cristobol is Na Balom--a library, museum, and shelter
for these endangered Indians. Occasionally, when one of
it´s resident scientists is not in town, they rent out rooms.
We were fortunate enough in 1992 to get a room in Na Balom,
and we got the same room this time. Wandering the gardens,
visiting with the residents, and even sharing a meal with
several Lancandon families made our visit very memorable.
Day 8---
10-22, 2250 miles, San Cristobol to
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
After a restful morning wandering the
streets and gardens of San Cristobol, we headed down off
the Chiapan highlands to the capitol of Chiapas, Tuxtla
Gutierrez.
 Here
in Tuxtla, we join the preparations for La Carrera Panamericana--an
annual vintage car race that takes 7 days, covers 3000 km,
and is the only event of it´s kind in the world. Last year
we participated in the race with our 1958 502 BMW (the
report on the race is on this website--you´ll like it!)
This year we have volunteered to help others in their efforts.
We spent the afternoon renewing old friendships and making
new ones.
Like all events human, I guess, participants
in the race are here for different reasons. Some racers
have their racecar built and shipped to Tuxtla, and amazingly
enough are then ¨meeting¨ their car for the first time,
Others have built their cars, tested it, bonded with it--so,
in essence, the cars, pilots, and co-pilots all have their
own stories. Today we met old friends, ready to run their
cars again--and new ones, hoping just to finish. Two guys
from Great Britain spent the afternoon pounding a shock
bolt back in place. Our friend, Elke from Germany, is back
driving on the only all-woman team. The Carrera is
about personal goals, and that strange, wonderfully exotic,
sometimes erotic bond between humans and the road. We have
to admit regrets about not being able to race this year--but
also gratitude that we can be part of the story. The truth
be told, Lil Schmutzi would give them ALL a run for their
pesos, I'll bet!! But, alas, she is too young.....
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