http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8008 8008 Bus leaves Veracruz at 3:45 and arrives San Cristobal at 1AM. I want to see this virgin beautiful stretch of road but only 2 busses go there. Will have to return in the auto! http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8011 8011 Some claim boring photos like this; agreed; but it serves memory and a few to see the lay of the land. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8014 8014 Typical Gulf of Mexico terrain but with more coconut, banana, fruit trees and sugar cane. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8017 8017 My regular hotel desk on Bonito Juarez no long is open 24 hours so in a second of fear I am at last to be relieved at a hotel 1 block south when the night watchman is awake. It's 2AM by now. Aren't I a neat house guest :-) http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8020 8020 It's so great to be back in San Cristobal! The peppery sun, crisp thin air and cool temperatures of the tropics at 7000'. A parade is forming and I grab this float. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8023 8023 Phoning Cisco; he'll return home at 12:30; time to try to find my favorite roast chicken spot. It's 8 blocks s. of my hotel but I know it will be worth it. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8026 8026 The old place is closed but a new one is 1 block east. I find there are no tables here but the owner says wait while he sets up a table in the back yard of his home/chicken to go combo restaurant. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8029 8029 I just love this style of grilled chicken. This is a super clean and large production place it appears. You can find roadside oil drum barbecues roasting chickens all over Mexico. I am a sucker and frequently stop when driving. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8032 8032 First time I ever had someone assemble a restaurant for me on the spot! http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8035 8035 It's so good to be back in the mountains of Chiapas. Seeing the narrow streets filled with people and the beautiful mountains in the background is like my second home now. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8038 8038 "The" Cisco is anxiously awaiting me when I arrive. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8041 8041 Then famous Calle of Tonala, where Cisco resides at #27. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8044 8044 The shoemen at the end of Tonala are a familiar site. Oops! I step too far in the street and get clipped by a bus. I forgot for a moment that one has to watch these things. Only a small slap and a dirty sweater! http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8047 8047 Calle 20th of Novembre, closed some years ago to autos is lined with even more people than I remember. I refer to this as "restaurant row". http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8050 8050 http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8053 8053 Indigenous dress of the local people who live about 15km in remote Chamula. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8056 8056 http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8059 8059 http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8062 8062 Solo local theater. In 2 more albums, you will see a character who appears in a weekly play that happens here. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8065 8065 It's Cisco and his new bride, Dani. She is from Honduras and helps me with my Spanish. They prepare me a delightful dinner upon my arrival evening. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8068 8068 One of the first walks it to the old town market in the local's (non tourist) area of town. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8071 8071 Market is in full bloom and perhaps even large now than I remembered. Good sign for longevity. http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8074 8074 http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8077 8077 http://gallery.donanthony.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8080 8080 Market dominated by indigenous tribes of nearby cities, including Chamula.