Happiest that I can be

 It's been some time now. I have been quite content and satisfied with my life. Well the drive for the purpose and ambition is still there. Yet quite different than before. Before like in the 20's.

It has been long time coming to feel this way.  

To start off with, I have never been a pessimistic person. Worst I can be is a just plain realist. 

To me and for me, life is like a wine and cheese, it only gets better as it ages. 

I have been thinking about this quite sometime lately, but I couldn't dare to say in front of people. I was afraid that I might seem narcissistic, egotistical or arrogant. I know there are many people who are not quite happy with their life. If I ask how they feel about their job which consumes large part of their life, they may not answer with gratitude or satisfaction. For me to say what I feel might come across as a slap in the face. 

So. Here I am. The one place that I can just let out. 

Turning point was around 2011. My life was at my worst point. I was miserable. Depressed. Colors were dull and life was meaningless. I kept fighting this sickness for 6 months and the solution was to eat some magic mushroom, have a epiphany and start traveling. 

Traveling through Central and South America in 2012 was cool, fun, and unforgettable. I was already having a great time and forgotten all about what happened in 2011. However, the real turning point came with a lesson. 

1. Life of minimalist. 

To be a minimalist is not about accumulating less. It's about attachment. Attachment has been the single greatest lesson I have learned in order for me to continue to be content, satisfied, happy and continuously get better like wine, and most importantly helps me persevere during the dark times. Not being attached to things and relationship, to me is true minimalism. It has less to do with owning less, keeping your house or life simple. They all come when you focus on losing the attachment. 

2. Relationship

The single most important relationship you can have in your life is with yourself. You have to be confident in who you are. To have the confidence, you must have the self respect. To have the self respect, you have to give a shit about what you do in your daily life. To give shit about what you do, you must have a good intent. So. try to be a good, so you can respect yourself, and have the confidence to go in the direction of your dreams. How can you be a good partner to your loved one or your family when you are not solid on your own. If you are not solid, you will find yourself depending on others for happiness. 

3. State of mind

Close your eyes and remain calm. Maybe close your eyes. Try to ignore everything you hear or feel. Be absolutely silent. Then you will find yourself, well, you will find your mind talking. Then tell your mind to shut up, perhaps focus on breathing and just be silent. Then it will be quiet and before you know it your mind is talking again. This is quite difficult if you try it. Your mind is constantly talking. When you can't even silence your own mind, you are exposed to your surroundings constantly talking to you. It could be people sitting across the table at the restaurant talking, friends telling you how to live your life, internet, phone notifications, etc. While this is happening, can you hold your ground to be never let your emotion be swayed by any of these influences and be at the middle and center at all times. If you can be in the middle and center at all times, then you are a buddha and Jesus or at that godly level. I am nowhere close, but this is what I strive towards and life only gets better with this as a goal. Striving to be aware of my state of mind leads to nirvana or enlightenment, the zen says. 

4. Decompress

Your mind is like your body, it gets dirty if you don't wash it. Some people go to church to wash the mind, some people meditate, some people exercise, some people go to nature. For me, seeing the beauties of nature and seeing acts of generosity and kindness of people does it. Every time. Especially the nature part. What a greatest feeling, going so deep in the wilderness that you don't see a single human being for five hours, walking around in your underwear in the middle of the desert, talk to God, bugs, donkeys, birds and stars. It already makes me smile just writing about this. You can see what this place was like thousands years ago before this civilization and invasion of people. Silence and peace. 

5. Share

There is a guy from Georgia from the book Into the Wild. At his dying moment, in school bus in Alaska, he said that true happiness is only when you get to share. It's truth. We are social animals. For example, when I watch a great ball game alone at home, I have a good time. But when I go to the stadium and watch with friends and thousands of people, I'm ecstatic. When I know it is one of the most special nature location then I save it so I can go with someone. To share that jaw dropping, awe moment together with whoever I am with. Why do you think social media is so powerful and have changed the world?

I am so grateful that I feel content, satisfied and happy. I have been feeling this way for quite sometime but I have been afraid to share, afraid that they may not be so content with their life. I am sure this life will hit me with a brick sometime. So I write this so that I can remember how to get back on the horse again when that happens. 

Frederic Douglass said, "we are not measured by height we've risen, but we are measured by the depth we've climbed" 

Who do I owe this pleasure to? Probably Ben and Angelica. And Couchsurfing. 

 

Hello Again

There was a legal battle between Joynus Care and another company. 

My blog was used by plaintiff company in their pitiful attack. 

I think that was one of the reason I stopped writing. 

How wonderful is it to just write down your thoughts freely without consequence, without judgment, and just be absolutely honest. 

Writing helps clear thoughts. 

I used to write. 

These days. I take picture and videos. 

Yes, the picture is worth a thousand of words and the video is 30 pictures per second, but there is something so miraculous about written words. 

I think it's because it attracts the imagination of the individual that reads.

Someone recently told me about beauty of reading was in the leaving the reality into the imaginative world when I mentioned that I only read non fiction. 

and that someone also told me about McKittrick Hotel in New York. A newly finished hotel was locked two days after WWII and recently opened as a alternative theatrical and I found it fascinating. not really about the Shakespeare plays but the venue itself. 

What is it about me that attracted to locations?

What is it about me that I see a picture of a location and have a burning desire to go there. To take a photo? no. Photo is just a proof. showing off. I want to see it with my own eyes and the adventure of getting there. Yes, there have been some occasions I say "what.. this is it?" 

Perhaps I'm bored and getting to place is just substitute. 

I could easily have fun socializing and being involved in intellect pulsing conversation. That used to be so fun in Seattle. I think over the years of living in Georgia that was not around and substituted with beauties of nature. 

I used to be just a city boy.  Wake up on the box. Get in the box to transport me so I can stare at the box all day and repeat. 

Yes. there was romance in my life. Zeal and belief. There was. What's in my life now?

I thought I am content, happy and satisfied that social life, relationship was not necessary. Romantic relationship, love has not been a priority for a long time. 

I didn't want to force it certainly, and definitely not in a rush. 

In the beginning of moving to CA, yes there was loneliness. A familiar feeling that I have experienced before. Yet with confidence I knew how to resist and stand my ground. But the distant hollowness in my chest was keep calling me. Whenever I felt that way, I moved my body. Transport it to a location. It was a distraction. Distract my eyes with beauties of nature. The hollowness was forgotten. Nature, motorcycle riding, golf, have consumed the hollowness. 

And now...

I'm in Seoul. 

Is something about to spark? or is this just another fluke like before. 

I want to put my whole heart in it but I'm afraid. Afraid that I will get hurt? please Chisung Lee. You've never really got hurt. The only time you got hurt, you asked for it. You've never really let yourself completely out of your guard. You probably don't even know how to be vulnerable totally. 

Do you remember that time you wanted to feel a broke heart? 

I wonder what my life would've been life if I didn't go through that. 

Would my life have been as awesome as last ten years? awww yes. it's been 10 years. 

Is this an end of chapter or beginning of a chapter?

I know I'm rambling, but it's been more than a year since my last visit here. 

Here is where I stand in relation to what I have written here in the past. 

Spirituality, Karma, mind, body, money, ambition, Jesus, Buddha, Universe, God, Nirvana, excitement, stimulation, happiness, death, relationship, contentment, psychedelic, minimalism... yes I remember them all still. I still talk about some to some people. 

None of these are important. 

Yes... may I dare I say none of these are important. 

what's important is 

whoever you are, you just spent your precious time to read this. 😂

Thanks for reading my nonsense.

 

Vivid Dream

Had a dream that I was living in a large house front of public park in the city. A door bell rang and it was my father. I told him "아버지 여기서 모하시는 거에요" 라고 하며 걱정했다.

It was as if I was lecturing him about coming to US because he was just here to visit. It was strange instead of welcoming him, dad coming to visit me so soon indicated some negativity.

Then my dream world changed and I was in the house. This was an old house, over looking the park. Kind of neighborhood in the city where houses are close together. old 1900's houses that are well kept. Street is clean, and big trees with large branches are on the street.

I was in the house. I opened a room and there was a stranger. I went to another room and there was another stranger. I was not panicking or scared. I was calm but annoyed.

Instagram video upload crash

The reason why the Instagram app crashes when uploading a video is because you are not giving the Instagram app enough time to render or digest.  Let the video run through with the video.

What does “high” mean when they say “I’m high.”

What does “high” mean when they say “I’m high.”

What you see is not what you think
What you think is what you see

Chisung Lee FXDLS

DMT

Immediate reaction was this intense overwhelming sensation, whole body feeling hot, patterns of moving visuals, hearing sensitivity lessens, notice of breathing, lines intersecting, colors filled inside of them when eyes are closed. Warm throat. Feeling relaxed and weak, as if it’s difficulty lift the airm, yet maintaining my state of self, aware of consciousness. Able to break suddenly by moving, feel like can’t move, but move with will then breaks. Lasts about 15 min to 20. Felt like 5 min. Multiple hits, just intensifies. Going up and down the bell curve is very steep on both ends.

Motorcycle Diary - Northern Mexico Day 5

Visited school. Chatted with students. Lots of animals. I saw the merit. Many kids with great attitude. Some were very special. I made it part of my youtube video. About mid morning, I bid farewell.

So I had a late start. I checked my itinerary and used Google map to figure how many hours, distances, gas stations, etc.

I arrived Ciudad de Medera to eat. This was the biggest town since the Creel. Also en route to Huapoaca, where people built things in the cliff. Not on the cliff. In the cliff. Like literally in the middle of it. This was one of my destination. But first. I found street food, immediately pulled over ordered some tacos. A random man came up to me and said

"You came from Georgia! All the way from Georgia! How many did it take you?"

"5 Days. From Atlanta, went through Piedra Negras, Cuatro Cinegas, Torreon, Chihuaua, Creel then here." I answered feeling joy from companionship of like-minded. Because If the situation was reversed, I would have done exactly the same.

"Viene de Georgia" "Viene de Atlanta" yells to the street food vendor.

He bid me good luck with rest of the journey. Both of us didn't ask each other's name as we are like-minded.

After bringing me two tacos, the street food vendor asked

"quieres algo para tomar?" do you want something to drink?
"Si. Que hay?"Yes, what's there
"Coke"
"ok"

Then his companion ran across the street to corner store and brought a coke. I finished two quickly and asked for one more. They asked if I wanted to try chicharron, I denied. It looked too gross. Street Vendor's name is Carlos. He sat at the table with me. He practiced his English a bit, we made up rest of the conversation with Espanol. At the end, we were understanding each other. As I pay my due, I asked for Casa de Cambio to exchange my dollar as I was down to twenty pesos. He gave me direction and we said good bye.

I made my turn  as was instructed but I couldn't find the Casa de Cambio nor bank. I saw a policeman and asked for direction. I followed his direction but I couldn't find it. I was going mad, it's not like I don't understand dos cuadras, a la izequirda, a la derecha.... So what do I do? Keep at it. I pull over to the liquor store. As I pull my helmet off, he walks over to me. Then I explain him what is up. He then says "How much?" in English.

I pull out my phone, show him the exchange app and the amount it shows. His friend walks over. They are both seem to be in their' 50's or 60's. The man offers about 50 pesos less than the app.  I said ok. Then him and his friend both pull out all their money and finally came to the agreed amount. For me it was a better deal than with a bank and they are happy  because they got a better deal than with a bank.  Good street deal. And all of it happened so fast. We were both sharp, fast and highly motivated to make a deal. Then we stood there chatted more about where I've been. Where I am going and their recommendation. The usual stuff. We wished each other good luck in life.

So finally came to the road and a sign with arrow and 20 km. It was a never ending long gravel road. Soon I came to following conclusion

1. My tires are so bold already. These edge rocks don't help. I still couple days away from US.
2. This will delay a lot of time and I may not make it destination by sunset, potentially riding in the dark with bunch of potholes and assholes.
3. I have told too many people that I was going to Huapoca today.

Well. I've eaten. Fueled up. I check my map and headed to my next destination in the North, Cureta Casas.  Beautiful forest, curvy roads, decently paved, small villages, farms, animals, tiny mud houses, engine roaring, music making sweet love to my ears, not too hot, not too cold, fresh air

I finally came to my destination on the map. But there was nothing but straight road. I drive by a sign for Curenta Casas, then I saw a closed gate, dirt road almost hidden in trees. I zoom in on my map and saw in small writing "Permanently Closed" I entertained the idea about just hide the bike among trees and sneak in. But as I had a late start, I'm racing against time today. With goal to arrive home by Saturday night and still want to hit all my destinations throughout the trip, it's like if I snoozed it, then I lost it.

I kept on. Enjoying the world. Carving beautiful canyon roads. Pull over to take some pictures. There was speed bumps, which means it's a sign for civilization. Up on the mountain, it was odd to see them and kinda scary but only civilization I saw was few houses. And then later it happened again. It was like speed bumps for built for villages and tribes. I saw logging trucks. Saw a part of the mountain carved, about 8 children bed of a truck ahead of me, I followed for awhile and I waive couple fingers as I pass by.

I found a next civilization. A lot smaller than Ciudad Madera. Then something strange happened. The road ended. I expected to go many more hours North. I ask people for Nuevo Casas Grande and they all point to the road I just came back from. I look at them strangely. They look at me strange. At this point, I have no cell signal. I have already maxed out my daily data. So when I zoom in the map it's blurry. Then I saw a small white line. Then I get a flash back, before arriving Curenta Casas. I saw a road. It was as big as the road I was on. Since it has been just straight shot for many hours, I took interest and checked it out on the map while I was riding and saw that it lead to a very large lake, strange because there are no lakes around here. I entertained to go see but said meh. I've got to stick to my schedule.

Well, that was the road I was supposed to be on. El Largo is a dead end. I was supposed to turn right on that road and go North East. Now I am way way behind schedule. I now hurry. I gas up with 87 as their only gas station in town didn't have Premium. And I crank my right wrist all the way, same expression as flooring car gas pedal.

So I went mad mad fast. Going 120 mph on bumpy paved roads.

I pulled over. Got Gas and went at it again. I can see on the map I am close but also I see there is a big mountain in front of me. I can see curvy roads on the map. That's going to be a slow speed, many curvy mountain road. So I don't slow down.

As I arrive at the top of the mountain, I am tired. I need a break. I looking for a spot to pull over. Then there comes big semi truck. It's coming fast. Now it's on my ass. I'm stressed. I go faster.

Then this happened.

I saw the most mesmerizing view of this trip so far. This is right before arriving Buenaventura.  T here was gorge and canyon. I wanted to pull over to take a picture but I was racing against the sunlight without knowing how long this mountain ride will be and there was a semi truck behind coming at me very close. Something about these Mexicans who are used to only seeing tiny 125cc bikes, and when they see a bike front of them, they get this urge to pass. Until they realize this ain't that bike. As I speed up, they speed up, this goes on and then risking their lives for going too fast. That's probably when they realize that it's a different type of beast ahead of them.


The view was so incredible that I entertained to go back in the morning to see it one more time and take a picture.

Finally arrived at Buenaventura. It means 'Good fortune' but to me it sounds like 'Good adventure'  There were only two hotels. I chose better of the two. Still it was over priced hotel. I washed all my clothes as they are all dirty and I am out of clean clothes.

Once I was cleaned and completed all my chores. I left the devices charging. With handful of cash in my pocket, I went for a hunt. Walking the dark Buenaventura streets. Dressed in black Lululemon long sleeve shirt and black Lululemon sweat pants. Then I saw a light. Front of a building that seem like an abandoned construction. Street food vendor. I walk over. No customers. Menu and prices are written on the back of their mini mobile kitchen van.

I Carne Asada and Barbacua. The lady took the meat out of the pot and cooked it as her companion brought me some napkins. He then later walked down from his mobile van and delivered food. I thanked by them devouring two tacos. It was delicious. Probably best taco of this trip. Who would have thought that best Taco of this trip would be hiding here? I ordered two more. The lady smiled and I could tell she was getting excited to feed this foreigner, coming out of nowhere, who was cautious in the beginning, now is a cute hungry dog.

The man brought tacos out on fresh styrofoam plate. This time, there was cilantro and cooked onion added. This time, I took my time eating. A van arrived, few young guys walk over. All three of them ordered hamburger and said it's cold and waited in the van. I was getting cold too but spicy sauce and delicious tacos kept me warm. I ordered one more taco.

Then man went cross the street to the mini store to buy an onion. I paid the lady and asked what time she opens. At 7am. I thinking it's perfect. I will definitely go back in the morning. As I walking to the hotel. The man at the Taco place saw me and said "see you tomorrow" as if he was certain that I would be back.

Well in the morning, I woke up to a truck making loud noise, all clothes I washed last night are still wet and my stomach hurts like I ate something very spicy last night. Also feel bloated as I didn't eat any veggies for few days.

So I skipped the Taco place and decided eat nothing for many hours. 

Motorcycle Diary - Northern Mexico Day 4

I am recharged. Woke up early.

There is another Cave and some historical building that I've marked. Creel is only 4 hours away. I've got enough to time check out one of the two. I go see that building. It's in downtown. Indeed it was a beauty. While I was wondering where to park, security guard points to a corner where it seem to be pedestrian walk way. I park. There is a well maintain classic looking Royal Enfield bike.




 I immediately take a picture of it. I quickly assess if this is a safe area to leave my bike as it is with Helmet and iPhone 6s attached to it. I decided that it is. The building is so big that I couldn't capture a front shot of the picture. It appears to be a museum. The two guards at the gate began talking to me. We stood there and talk for a while. Until "Licensor" came, who received respect from the guards. I go inside. There is a tour going on. I some pictures. Then I begin to think about that open road, mountain road, change in terrain from here to creel, I can't wait to get back on that bike and keep riding.

As I was leaving the city, I missed my turn, went through tunnel then I see a billboard sign with Harley Davison marketing message on it. There is a Harley Davidson in town. Good. I need a new front tire. I get there by 9:30. It opens at 10am. Then I get that message again that I am out of data. WTF. I turned off everything!! What's going on??

I am in nice part of the town. Resembles big suburban road with shopping malls. I decided to get something to eat. Since I suffered high blood pressure symptom, might as well eat something healthy.

I pull into Thai restaurant parking lot. Before I turn off the engine, I leave this place because I saw Starbucks across the street. I ordered coffee and a Panini sandwich. Began using fast Wi-Fi. The couple sitting behind me began talking to me in American accent English. Ex-pat. Retired Army and his wife. Telling me stories of his motorcycle journey, how it was so cold and hot; how he didn’t' have gears like what I am wearing.

 I will arrive in Creel too early. I am couch surfing today. A school teacher. We meet at 7pm. I will have too much time to spend. I check the route and time for Barrancas del Cobre. A famous copper mountain. Supposedly have beautiful scenic view to mountain carving with bike, permitting if the road is not too bumpy.

I've noticed that both Chihuahua and Torreon city roads are terrible although they are nicely paved, there are no traction. Very slippery. I rear wheel kept gliding while front fell slippery. Harley Davidson rep tells me the price. Something in thousands of pesos. He looked at me if I would actually buy something that expensive. Before I convert to dollar, he says they don't have it. Oh well. I get on my way.

Indeed change in terrain was marvelous. I saw the desert change to forest very slowly. Began to show more and more trees, see mini streams, curvy roads. Curvy roads thankfully had good traction. By this time, road bumps are nothing to me but just to run over. I'm not worried. Beginning to realize how amazing my bike is, how it is equipped with top notch shocks. Good horse. Every day at the end of rough riding day, I tell my bike "Good job. You did well today".

I arrive at Creel. I noticed that there is a gas station. I relax. Buy a street burrito that this little girl is selling. The burrito she pulled out of the ice box, already wrapped had just tortilla and meat. It was tiny so I ordered another burrito. This one smelled sour, tasted sour. Ok, I'm not about to have major diarrhea. I stopped eating and I head toward Barrancas del Cobre. Indeed road leading to it was curvy, bumpy, exciting, beautiful, warm, and breezy, it was in some ways better than all mountains I've been on in the Southern US.

I get to Barrancas del Cobre by 3:30pm. Ok. It took me 1.5 hours. Sunset is at 5pm. technically I have to go now. But you can't say no to this sheer beauty of mesmerizing view that leaves you completely speechless. Canyon like Grand Canyon except with more trees and it's in Mexico.  Gate guard didn't charge when I said I just want to take pictures. So even took a selfie. Walked all points of view areas available. Time to go before it gets dark. It's 4pm. I better hurry. I hurried. Going over 110mph at straight shots, sharper lean angle. A white pick-up truck followed me close, I got little bit worried. Nobody around just me and this truck who is driving very close and carving the mountain like me.

Well, I took off long ways when I did that 110mph straight shot. Adios muchachos. Although they tried again and again. Could never keep up. At one point, I even waited. Love this bike's power, agility and torque. I feel in full control of the road, my speed and go to points. Rumble of the Twin Cam engine vibration, deep exhaust explosion whenever I pull the throttle regardless of which gear. Calm yet rough rumbles at idle. It sounds like a very mean horse who is barely tamed telling me come on let's run again, let's keep running.

It likes to thrive at 3.5 to 5,000 rpm. Even with that immense 110 cubic inch, it doesn't like to play in low rpm. It lets me know, "come on either shift down or give it a gas!” By the time I came back to Creel it was 5pm. I came half an hour too early. I pulled into this gravel road and take a look at this giant rock. Yes. I've gotten very used to that gravel road now.

One thing this trip. Gravel road and slippery road are bit more comfortable for me.

As it was getting dark, I needed to find a place where I can park my bike and stay indoor to keep myself warm.  Preferably somewhere with Wi-fi. I went to downtown asked the local. It was a Mexico version of internet cafe. I couldn't look over my bike which has my luggage on. So I left and decided to chill at the Western style decorated with bar, restaurant, brewery, Best Western Hotel. Majority were all decorated with log cabin style.

Although night gets to 50 degrees, wearing my Alpinestars New Land Gore Tex kept me so warm since it is built for cold winter riding with cold wind constantly hitting me, sitting still was very warm. I had couple beers and finally put the iPad into a good use of writing this blog.

At exactly 7pm. I called Monica, my couchsurfing host. Although she is the only real couchsurfer in this town, I decided to write her because of her choice to leave the city to be with simple life hippie style. She answered the phone. Sent me her address. It was dark. Cold. Paved road became a gravel road. Once I found her, she lived on a hill, it was too rocky and sandy along with too steep to take my bike to her doorstep. So I left it by the gate.

As soon as I unpacked. We walked to the Best Western Hotel and ordered couple pizza and beer. We shared meaningful conversation, shared each others histories and came back to her house. There we continued our conversation about our passion and future plans. I asked to see her school and she gladly accepted When we got tired, she showed me how to turn on the broiler to heat the water for shower.

I slept like a baby under thick blankets.

Motorcycle Diary - Northern Mexico Day 3

I opened my eyes. Check the time. It's 6am. It's still dark outside. I check the weather app. It's going to be sunrise in half an hour. I slowly get up. Headache is gone. Yay!.

I check the Google Map for today's plan. Last night I wrote down entire Itineary of this trip right before falling asleep.

Fri: Home to Lake Fausse
Sat: Lake Fausee to Eagle Pass, TX
Sun: Eagle Pass, TX to Torreon
Mon: Torreon to Chihuahua
Tues: Chihuahua to Creel
Wed: Creel to Nuevo Casas Grande
Thur: Nuevo Casas Grande to White Sand to Balmorrea state park
Fri: Balorrea State Park to Houston
Sat: Houston to Home

Let's see if everything goes to plan.

Google Map shows I have two stops before I go to Chihuahua. Zona del Silencio and Crystal Cave. A years back, I read in the National Geographic about Crystal Cave being discovered. In the picture crystals were so huge that people looked tiny. It was fascinating and I remembered that it was in Northern Mexico. This was one of the trigger point to make this trip other than I bought a brand new S model Harley Davidson with two years of unlimited miles warranty.

I figured I will get to Chihuahua in no time considering the road willl be like yesterday. Well paved, tollway with unlimited speed limit. So I decided to take a detour and take a local road. Indeed local road was so much fun, run down houses, happy people, many people stairing at me as I go by as if they are seeing a Ferrari or something special.


If you are a man, I you head turned as I go by you. If you are a man and your head didn't turn then you are blind. This is how all people turned their head. I was getting way too much attention everywhere I go. Also could be a target. I analyzed that, they willl have to catch me in the open road where nobody is around. But then I will be too fast for anything to catch me. No gun law for citizens in Mexico. Plus, if you are ambitious enough to steal my bike, there are plenty of bigger fishes like SUVs and nice trucks. Second, you will have to know how to ride this big bike coming from usual 125cc's in Mexico. Third, only time I stop in the open road is when I am sure i'm the only one on the road. In the city there are too many eyes.

I've been enjoying this scenary of local road for about an hour or two. Then I wonder if this road will eventually end up at the tollway because I start to see less houses, less people, just farms. What do you know, the road turns to gravel. I go on it. It's way too bumpy. I've already noticed my front tire is going bold. This gravel road doesn't help at all. It will only wear it out faster. I stand up on two pegs like adventure bike riders. I feel uncomfortable. Too strenouse to my wrist. It's an unnatural posture.

Then I put both legs on the passenger pegs. Now too much pressure on my shoulder. Then one leg on the front peg, one leg on the passenger peg then I rotate legs, I now good. Some what having fun. Can't stop to wonder how long this gravel road is going to be, maybe I should turn around. I pull over and check the Google Map. No connection. I connect to hotspot of the nice phone. Connected but not loading. I pull out the nice phone. I got a text message from verion that I reached my daily limit. Msg came at 7:30am. WTF!.  How did I use up all data by7:30am. What am I gonna do the rest of the day. Thankfully, preloaded map worked.

I came too far, more than half way. I don't have enough gas to turn around.  Enough to go forward. I suck it up and go. Some truck drivers waive hello with smile.  By the time I've gotten used to this road and thinking that no more small local roads like this. I brought a wrong bike of this. I start to see cars moving fast distant horizon. I get excited. Check the gas gauge. Quarter tank left.

Finally made it out of gravel road, got gas, drove straight to Zona del Silencio.  I saved this place only because it had a cool name, then John told me that no planes can fly over this area. Gas station guy said there is "magnitude" here. That's why it's called Silent Zone. And of course, it's a gravel road. Let's just go up the hill. It's not a bumpy gravel road. Ok, Let's go little more. because supposedly main point is much deeper on this road. I see a gate arch and a sign. Ok I've had enough of this. I park. I take care of both my bathroom duties. Remain calm. I hear wind and insects. No sound of human. I relax here for awhile. Take pictures. Investigate what happened with data consumption. I changed setting, deleted many apps, turn off notification, looked into all suspicious possible data hogging apps. I should be ok now.

I call people in the US to check on few things, return phone calls.

Then all of sudden, I hear something. It's a vehicle. I hurry up and get equipped. By the truck shows up, I've just started the engine. Truck driver looks at me and continues to move on. I go the other way. It's becoming to be a sandy road more toward middle of nowhere into the desert. My bike don't do well in the sand. It's heavy, mean Harley Davidson built for paved road. I turn around. I head toward Naica to be near the Crystal Cave that's been closed after I take some pictures of the goat.

 Naica is a beautiful small town. Very weird that there is a town so far away from everything. And! the road is paved all the way. Very bumpy. but not complaining for that condition after what I've been through today.


Leading to Naica, you can see large fields of land that's flat, filled with yellow grass. In distant you can see horses running, walking and eating freely. Using up this massive large land on both sides of the road. There was a military camp.

I pulled up to a mini store to ask for the Crystal Cave. I didn't know how to save Cave in Spanish. Can't use the phone since it's out of data. I said crystal cave. The store man didn't understand and told me sorry that he doesn't understand. Then he jumped and pointed to his water, "Crystal Water" bottle. No!.... "Este lugar famoso para..." then he jumped again and said "Cueva de Crystal". That sounded right. I high fived him. He said "pase dos cuadras, a la derecha" I repeated what I said. He said yes. I said thank you and left.

At my destination, there was a security check. People coming out of the gate were wearing orange jump suit. There was couple guys in business casual. I spoke with one of the guy about entering. He said it's closed. I said I know it's fillled with water but I still wanted to get closer and see. He says "no se puede" I take some pictures of the entry way, pictures around the town. Then I left to go see about those horses running freely. By the time I got there, there way too far from the road. I got a video of couple horses not knowing what to do with me.

By the time I arrived in Chihuahua it was close to sunset. The person I was supposed to meet up went MIA. I changed to my clear visor and roamed around town looking for a good place to sleep. First two I checked out charged same price as motel from last night but only for four hours.

Sun is now long gone, only the street lights are lit. I am completely lost. Don't know which way is North or South. Which direction I came from. Too many one way streets. I'm thirsty. I pull into Oxxo and ask a guy walking, "Disculpa, donde puedo encontrar internet?" he looked surprised like what you don't have a smarphone? He asked if I am looking for a computer? I said no I just need wifi. Then he says, Oxxo has free wifi!

And he was right. I found some motels. Called to verfiy price. Then I found a cheaper one than yesterday. $280 pesos. About $15USD. Jackpot. I go. It's same style. Private garage into your bedroom. They even have wifi. The person who led me in was very nice. He said you can go down the street to find food.

After I got situated, I went down to see only restaurant in this block. Prices are good. Two older gentlement eating, a man and a woman working the kitchen. I order some tacos. The man asks, "algo para tomar?"  I said "cerveza" he looked me surprised and said they don't sell alcohol. Only the cross the street Oxxo sell. So I walk over to Oxxo. Bought three big bottles of beer because I didn't want to be the only one drinking, pretentious foreigner showing off. I brought beer and asked the restaurant man, if he has any cups. He says no. I said "como podriamos compartir cerveza? no puedo beber todo" I'm only going to drink this bottle. Rest we share.

My food is served. I began eating and drinking. They started talking. Still nobody touching the beer. What you don't like me? You guys don't drink? Too shy? You thought I was just kidding?

The man next to me, who is about finished eating glimpsed at the beer, I said "bebemos! Dale!" Other guy also says go ahead. He opens the bottle. Leaving one remained. I got the hint that he was saving it for the restaurant guy. Then this guy starts to talk to me in English that they are truck drivers. I asked if he drinks every day. Restaurant guy translates that every other day because both men are drivers and they take turns driving. Pointing to semi truck parked across the street at Oxxo parking lot.

Resturant guy and I began talking. He says he lived in Texas for 10 years. Pennsylvania for 4 years and Brookly. Total 20 years in US. He went go renew his driver license and then immigration deported him. That was two weeks ago now he is working in this restaurant as an employee. Other people didn't seem to have a clue what we were talking about. I'm down with my food and beer. I'm ready to go. I told him drink this beer. Return these bottles for the pesos. Because I told him sorry. He said "it's life" I shook his hand, I got teary eyes. Left him handful of tip. I left quickly.

I arrange my things, make sure things are charged up. Wifi is too slow to do anything with.