hambone Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Wow Muttsta, my hat is off to you. What a tremendous test of endurance combined with a great adventure. I can't believe I did not see this odyssey until yesterday. It has been a great read. Wishing you a hearty congrats and a continued safe journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Day 83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Day 84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Day 85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted July 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Day 86 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 (edited) Day 89 Edited August 4, 2007 by Muttsta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Day 94 -Mexican Finale - 102.08 km Today in the morning I once again wasn't feeling too hot. I suspect the culprit to be a Popsicle I consumed in the late hours of yesterday. This was one of those homemade Popsicles, but the thing that made it deadly was that it contained milk and not just water. I admit that it was absolutely delicious, but lurking under all that flavor was death. I eat ice cream made from milk here often, but always brand name stuff. Learn from your mistakes as I like to say. Even though my stomach was in pain and I had to visit the bathroom several times throughout the day, I pedaled onward. I don't have time for delays such as sickness! As the day progressed I fortunately began to feel better and better. After passing through many small towns I finally made it to the larger sized city of Tapachula. Mexico's southernmost city is home to roughly 150,000 people. For this city my untrusty Lonely Planet guidebook listed the cheapest place to stay as costing $18 per night. For this part of Mexico, that's fairly steep. I decided to try my luck and try to find something else. I must be very lucky, because I managed to find a decent hotel a mere half block from the main square for only $5! My room is even fairly clean and contains a working bathroom complete with sink and shower. To sweeten the deal I have an outdoor balcony and a view onto the city's main road. I would have been happy to have paid at least twice as much! As I made it into town fairly early I had ample time to explore the city. My first stop was the main town square, which proved to be very interesting. Trees and benches lined the entire square while vendors were located on the very outside perimeter. On the inside was a concert area of some sort as well as a water fountain. Facing the main square was a cathedral and a very beautiful museum of some sort. From the main square I dared to venture to the local market. The market at first seemed small, but it turned out to be huge. It's size is misleading as it is built atop a downhill. Thus what looked like it only had one floor turned out to have four! Every section of the market was dedicated to something different from fruits to shoes to meats. To get a sense of what this felt like, imagine a market back home; move the shelves to within a few feet of each other, age it fifty years, and throw in a bunch of people until you feel claustrophobic. Absolutely brilliant is what it is! For the past thirty five days I have eaten tortillas with every since meal; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have gotten so sick of them that the mere sight of one makes me, well, sick. I opted today to try something different and went to a Chinese restaurant. I must say that the food was fairly good and for $5 was a very good deal. My only complaint is that they didn't have chopsticks. No matter where your travels may take you in this world rest assured that there will be a Chinese restaurant near by! Today I also experienced my first dental issue of the trip. As I had braces in the past I now have a metal wire glued under my teeth to keep them from shifting. This wire unfortunately came loose on my today. Normally this would involve a visit to my dentist to get it re-glued. Since that isn't a possibility, and I'm not brave or stupid enough to visit a dentist down here, I decided to be my own dentist. With surgical precision I maneuvered nail clippers inside my mouth in order to cut this wire shorter. Fortunately I succeeded with no casualties; a permanent fix will follow back home. On this trip I have been both a surgeon and a dentist so far! I am currently looking down at the busy city of Tapachula which is still abuzz at this late hour. Tomorrow I venture into unknown territory, namely Guatemala. Thirty five days later I will finally leave the beautiful country that is Mexico. And so the plot thickens! Day 95 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 What incredible will you have! I rather doubt I would have made it out of Alaska. On the other hand, I'm no longer in my late 'teens/early twenties anymore Good cycling just the same, and may my wishes bring you no rain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Day 100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Day 103 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Day 107 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 What an unbelievable achievement - simply amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Good grief! Where will this all end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 Day 111 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 Good grief! Where will this all end? Alas, the end is in sight! I finally fly out of Panama City on Tuesday It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted August 26, 2007 Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 I have a lot of catching up to do having spent the last 3 weeks in hospital, but I am glad to be here in time to to say congratulations you have been inspirational and a donation is forthcoming. Please everyone who has passed some time following Muttsta through his epic journey find it in your hearts to make some kind of donation after all he did it all for a cause. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 What a trip! And thanks for shairing it with us. We were with you on each leg of the trip. Thankfully, you made it without too serious of incidents. I would bet you could sell your story to cycling magazines. Good luck in your future endeavors. Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 Day 116 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Day 117 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Day 118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 "It is very unwise to ask for directions in a Chinese restaurant." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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