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.
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.
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