Tales of Chiapas - Part 2 - Bela's B & B May 2011

What a giant stroke of luck it was

to find Bela Wood and her B & B

in San Cristóbal de las Casas!

A couple of friends had mentioned it in the past and

I ran across her site while surfing for a place to stay

but I never anticipated making a new friend

or finding a place in Chiapas that I would long to

return to over and over!

I liked Bela instantly!

And Apollo and Lola and Coco and Chapis!

Bela is warm and hospitable, brimming with inside knowledge

about San Cristóbal and Chiapas, and best of all insanely patient with

with all our questions and requests for advice.

Who knew that behind these doors. . . 

 

. . .it would be so beautiful. . .

. . .and inviting. . .

 

. . .and incredibly YUMMY!

Manuela and Bela are the # 1 team to beat!

If you don't believe me. . .here's proof:

Bela's B&B in San Cristobal de las Casas has 123 reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 

 

Based on 123 traveler reviews

TripAdvisor Popularity Index: ^#1 of 26 B&Bs in San Cristobal de las Casas

Go stay with Bela and give her a big hug for me

and tell her I miss her!

BELA'S B AND B WEBSITE

Tales of Chiapas - Part 1 May 2011

Where is the best place to start a story?

Why, at the beginning, of course!

So, that would be when the phone rang one

night and my friends on the south shore said:

GUESS WHAT!!!

Ummm, what?

Vivaaerobus has just initiated a DIRECT flight from

Guadalajara  to Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas!!!

Ummm, wow.

IT'S LESS THAN A HUNDRED BUX EACH WAY!!!

Ummm, WOW!!!

Let's go!

Let's go.

By departure date,

both south shore friends had to back out

but my good friend (and old paramedic partner) Suzanne

came down from Nevada and we took off from Guadalajara

for Tuxtla right on schedule.

We couldn't say enough good about Vivaaerobus!

The employees were actually NICE!

They were also helpful, efficient, and looked like they

enjoyed their jobs!

All flights left and departed on time.

They have really incredible promotions,

when we were booking our flights they had

five dollar flights from Guadalajara to Mexico City!

Check 'em out.  Explore Mexico!

¡Viva Vivaaerobus!

Next up, you'll meet Bela and the best

B and B on the planet!!!

Don't believe me?  I can show you proof.

Hola Bela!

I'm Back! May 2011

And I'm stuffed to the gills with stories

and pictures, anecdotes and questions,

new friends and travel recommendations,

and above all wonderment.

Wonderment at no matter how different

we look. . .

  Google Image

 

. . .we are all the same.

Ummmm, I also have the mutha of all sore throats.

Accompanied by muscle aches and pains,

sinus congestion and a 'productive' cough.

Ok, way too much information

and I was just going to slide until I felt better

then download and sort the photos, edit them, plan stories,

and start telling you about our trip.

But I felt compelled to give you a snotty heads-up

when Steve commented.

So, I'm going back to bed and I'll start

as soon as I feel a little bit better.

Look out, Chiapas is coming!

Off To Chiapas! May 2011

Documents in order - check

Boarding pass printed - check

House and dog sitter oriented - check

Backpack packed - check

Off to Chiapas to explore with my good friend

and old paramedic partner!

Woo hoo!
Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

Pathetic! May 2011

My Apple Tree

First year. . .

NADA.

Second year. . .

copious amounts of fertilizer, water,

gardener consults, severe pruning,

and tender loving care. . .

NADA.

Third year. . .

general care, some fertilizer, some water,

minimal pruning, and general neglect. . .

. . .one FUJI!

Fourth year. . . 

repeat second year with resulting same harvest. . .

NADA.

This year. . .

copious amounts of fertilizer, water,

no consults, semi-severe pruning. . .

Same bountiful harvest.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm. . . May 2011

Feliz Navidad from Llantera Hernandez
My most favorite tire repair shop anywhere!

Had a blowout on the highway one night about

3 months ago.

I limped down the highway, shredding the tire

in the process, to a friend's hotel parking lot

where I knew the car would be safe for the night.

Had the spare put on the next morning,

for 50 pesos, and set out to find a replacement

tire to match the other 3.

I started on the south shore where I bought all 4 tires

a couple of years ago.

No go.

El Señor has died.

Oh, I'm so sorry, ok, thanks.

Then to the new fancy tire stores.

Ummm, doncha have something a little cheaper?

No, Señora.

We are now into this about 2 months.

It's Mexico.

We're not in a hurry.

Hey, what about the mechanics!

Bet some of them have some good tires laying around.

íHola Salvador!

íHola!

Got a good tire laying around that might match my other 3?

Si.  No problem.

Bueno, Salvador.

How much?

250 pesos.

Sold!

Over to the Llantera Hernandez to have the tire balanced,

mounted, rims swapped, spare mounted to rim

and put back in place under the vehicle.

40 pesos.  

20 minutes.

Total Mexican tire adventure:

$340 pesos or about $29 US.

Total time involved:

3 months.

Good things come to those who wait.