Mexico

Today we left Palenque for San Cristobal which was only 157KM, however, because we had to go through the Sierre Madre de Chiapas (the local mountain range), it became a 5 hour drive. San Cristobal is situated at the 2900 meter level so the temperature was quite cooler, and was a welcome relief for our stay here. This is the rough path we took through the mountains.

Along the way we stopped at Agua Azul, which means Blue Water.

It was a 4km descent down into the valley but it was worth the trip. The waters are very cool and refreshing.

The region consists of lush mountainous vegetation.

As we were descending down into the valley, some kids pulled a rope up in front of our vehicle and we had to stop and buy some of their goods. As soon as we stopped, we were swarmed like insects.

We agreed to buy something if we could take a picture of them. As we turned the corner, we could see this little trick had caught on, and the next family was there to pull up their rope and try to sell their wares to you. We realized that if you stopped for all of these we would have to spend at least several weeks in the state of Chiapas alone. We found out that when you don't slow down, they drop their rope to avoid being dragged behind any tourists vehicles.

Agua Azul.

Dan of the jungle.

We have been eating alot of strange things along the way, some good, some not so good. We bought some flat cakes from this lady that were lined with something? This outfit appears to be the traditional dress of the ladies in this region. They dress very discreet and perhaps we can learn something from this for so should "women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

These bananas were small but very tasty.

A young man off to work.

There are many strong women in this area. Some were carrying quite a load of wood up the side of the mountain as we drove by. I showed this picture to a young man, and he said in Mexico, the women work very hard and put most men to shame. He said it is sad but it is true.