TheCommunistTravelesto

Dont let the title fool you...for the birthplace of mariachi and one of the only 4 states legally allowed to produce tequila in Mexico I have seen very little tequila and no mariachi at all. A bit disapointing but maybe its because Ive been pretty lazy in Guadalajara. I got here from Veracruz after taking a cheap flight with Vivaaerobus (if you come to Mexico and want internal flights this airline usually has very cheap flights, even cheaper than the bus in some cases, though obviously considerably worse for the environment). Another tip if you come to Guadalajara and dont want to use the taxi monopoly the government has set up at the airport (300 pesos into town) is to turn right out of terminal one and follow the signs for a bus to terminal terreste. ... read more

So been in Oaxaca for a week now. The weather has been so much better than closer to Mexico City though its still a bit cold at night. So got here last Monday after a 4.5 hour bus ride from Puebla. Was a nice scenic trip through lots of valleys as we made our way 1000m closer to sea level...still 1500m above sea level though! In some of the valleys there were heaps of cacti taking up literally every part of earth, was a strange scene but pretty none the less. So got to the bus station and met my host mother, Sylvia, and drove back to where I would be staying. Turns out theirs another Australian staying there as well for two of the weeks I'm here which has been good, not so boring going ... read more

This must be the 6th time in 3 years I've had the (dis)pleasure of being here yet this airport never seems to change. Angry customs officials, a million security checks and its cold. Though one good thing is the breakfast burrito I had. Scrambled eggs, green onions, black beans...we need these in Australia. So I don't actually have a voice at the moment which is fun...even more so when explaining to the immigration person that you're traveling to Mexico to immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture for him to reply why don't you just stay in LA we have lots of Spanish speaking people here. Yeah Mexico or LA...tough decision. Well this was just a quick update to get my blogging working again. Nearly time to fly for Mexico City for New Years Eve. Will ... read more

So to pick up where I left off. We scored the 3 person private room at the first Panama City Hostel. Well sort of 3 person room, there was a double bed and a single, so I took the single and Catherine and Jenna took the double. The room didn't have A/C and was pretty damn hot I have to say. First night we just ate at some cheap diner before the next days activities of going to Miraflores Locks to see the Panama Canal! We were there for about 3 hours and I finally got to use my ISIC card and get a student discount on something! Watch a few barges get tugged through, had a few beers and just generally relaxed. Was a very nice afternoon. Evening time comes and we decide we want ... read more

As I’m publishing this once I leave Cuba I’m telling the story as it happened day by day. Pretend each day is a new post. I also had the great idea of writing a day by day account on Wednesday so apologies for the not so informative accounts of Monday and Tuesday. Monday: So I somehow got up on time, got a taxi to the bus station that goes to Panama and bought a ticket for when I get back then managed to find the terminal for public bus to the airport and made my flight with plenty of time to spare. Flight to Havana was great. Had 3 seats to myself and just lay there watching stuff on my laptop. Minus the few episodes of turbulence was all good. My fear of flying is slowly ... read more