Xalapa

We've been in Xalapa for three days and are loving every minute. The architecture is amazing and very reminiscent of Europe. Its so European I keep waking up thinking I'm in France instead of Mexico.

We walked all day yesterday discovering the hidden alley's and picking fresh lemons by majestic ponds. The city is full of art and music. We encountered a troop of jugglers honing there skills in the Plaza De Juarez and a trio of Capoira dancers lounging next to a breath taking man made water fall.

I'm excited how fast I'm picking up spanish. All the words I've learned before are coalesing into a functional language set. Most of what I've learned is only functional though. I find myself frustrated with my ability to reach out to people I would like to meet. I keep reminding myself that it will only take a little time and I've only been in mexico less than a week. I'm sure with in a month I'll be getting along well.

Before we got to Xalapa we spent a very interesting and wet night on a secluded beach between Tampico and Xalapa. We parked next to a family's coconut trees and camped on the beach. We played in the ocean and danced in the sand. Our tent did a good job of keeping out the relentless rain and a crab whose home we'd convered by accident. Fortunately for the crab in rained and we moved the bags responsible for his discomfort in to our tent. Pao had a rough night with a head ache so bad she had to throw-up. I massaged her head and tried to relieve her pain but there was little I could do. We tried to wait out the rain but eventually had to pack up and return to our car with our soaked everything. Nothing dries in this humidity so unfortunately we are stuck with a bag full of very wet very stinky clothes and towells. Those we can wash - as for a tent that will be a special challenge to defunk. Maybe we can set it up in a car wash.

Today we are checking out of our wonderful hotel - with the largest bed I've ever seen - and heading to Coatepec. I think we will stay in Veracuz for a while. It seems safe from the Hurricanes and it is amazingly beautiful.