Travel Pig

I hung out at the Eco Cabin. The woman here, I can’t remember her name showed me the cenote that is just a block away if there were blocks. I wish I had brought water shoes. It was like a cavern open on one side.

They could tell that I was disappointed that the MJ wasn’t today so they asked if I wanted to try Bufo. I had looked it up and really wasn’t interested but what was I going to do? They said I could just tag along and decide. So I did.

They said they would be back in a little while so I read my books. “A Woman in Cairo.” It’s about the occupation and new democracy in Cairo in the early 1920’s. Also finished a fun fiction book, can’t remember the name and started another book about the biting of tequila.

I am writing this on Sunday after an epic day yesterday but I have to share the moment. A dog barking, sound bells, Tibetan chanting and a little animal rooting around outside, now it is silent except for water dripping and birds chirping. It truly is a retreat. It’s a bit chilly. More chanting now. There is a spa next door so I suspect that is what I am hearing. During the night I was warned of chanting and drums . I did hear both but it was not annoying.

Ok back to yesterday. We arrived at this place. It was a beautiful eco resort with naughty geese and pools of water and all natural materials. We met a couple that would be joining today. They were from Pan handle of Texas. He raised cattle and she made Tarrow. They were a funny couple. The other guy, John was a know it all from the border of Louisiana and Texas. Conspiracy guy to the core. Never listened to anyone.

From my text message to my children: Drove with Gabriel about 30 min towards there Cenote trails and to some place that had a few people that were going to do the Bufo. A lot of waiting then the couple went first. Each session was about 30 minutes The Shaman was named Rene. When it was my turn, I sat on a blanket inside a large domed screen tent. First we talked and then he mixed something up and basically blew it up my nose. It burned and I couldn’t breath out of my nose. Then euphoria and a headache. That went away and then he lit the crystal with a glass pipe. The Crystals are dried frog secretions from its parotid gland behind its eyes. The frogs could paralyze someone while they got a way. Then I had to take a long slow puff. It was crazy. The outdoor room was like jelly melting, the leaves on the ground were moving like cockroaches. Then I felt love and peace and I felt free of so much crap. I cried, I think I vomited and then woke to the Shaman striking something over me, incense probably. then we chatting about the experience. It was incredible!

I put my shoes back on and sat by the pool just breathing with such intention, like letting things go. It’s bizarre to think that I have a pretty normal life without much baggage and I felt such peace and relief after the experience.

I walked around and took pictures. I snuck a peek in the tent when the next guy was having his session and he was sitting upright, Rene was a couple feet away and nothing was going on. It’s all in your mind. Yet when I experienced it it was very real.

I know some people might judge me negatively for this this but that’s how I roll!

We ate a beet and other vegetables salad and tortillas with Guac and all talked a bit. The drive back was full of travel stories. Turns out the Gabriel is a travel agent, from Genoa, specializing in Mexico, Central and South America. He spent some time in Cuba which he shared.

Back in the room I ate some cheese and meat and crackers, tried to process this whole thing and slept a little restless, waiting for Ricky Raccoon.

Oh and the hot water wasn’t working yet, they changed the tank but still not working. I wonder if it ever has worked. I later found out the toilet didn’t flush anymore either.

I warmed a pot of water and set it in my bed for a few minutes just to warm it up. It was 58 inside my ecolodge! My house is usually colder.

Now I am off to the store and to find coffee

It was easy to get here and Gabriel met me at the gate

The house is a Eco house so all natural products except electricity and wifi etc. check out this video

While listening to the live music last night, my server offered me their house specialty Mexican truffle quesadillas. Since all I ate all day, you saw in my photos so I said yes. When it arrived I remembered what it was,

Huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis) Corn fungus; considered a delicacy.

I ate a little but it’s too earthy for me. I wondered if I would have wild dreams, like I do when I eat regular mushrooms in the US.

By the time I returned to my hotel last night at about 8:30pm everything was closed up. The beach bar was dark, in fact most of the side streets are dark, maybe people are more East Coasters than West. Seems like Coronado also closes up early. But I had been up since 4 am. I wanted a glass of wine. I asked the hotel guy, but something was lost in translation and he was more interested in in my fingernails. They are pretty cool.

I slept well, the bed was comfy, nice sheets and pillows. Always important to me. And I have experienced every kind of accommodations.

My view at the beach right now

Playa del Carmen is cute, but one day/night is enough. Not sure where I will go after the Jungle. I have two days booked then a day after to discover somewhere new. Maybe Holbox. My son and his beautiful wife have been there and loved it. But I think going there to see Whale Sharks would be fun someday.

I will pack up soon, hopefully remember where my car is, stop at a grocery store and head into the jungle. There is supposed to be WIFI but one never knows what that can mean, one bar or none. Suspect very little.

Easy flight, fell asleep right away. Started practicing my Spanish right away with an older couple next to me. They wanted my window seat and I said No! They were sweet.

Monterrey Mexico! Color is beautiful already. Flew over Chihuahua. I really want to do the Copper Canyon Train trip with a stop on a dude ranch. That has been on my bucket list for years.

Arrival in Cancun was easy. Finding my car rental not so much. I reserved on Expedia and even paid the insurance. When in Cabo, I always fight it, and sometimes give in and purchase it. I finally asked my State Farm agent, an old friend and she said yes you must buy it. It didn’t help when I had two tire blowouts on the inner part of the tire within 15 minutes of each other. Bad car. Insurance didn’t cover tires. I was less than a mile from the airport to pick up a friend. Yes I digress.

So I asked a few people where this car rental was. At least people had heard of it. I tried to call no answer but did get a WhatsApp message asking for my confirmation number etc. my patience is the size of a mad bee so I found a man to get me a car but I needed a shuttle. Price included tax and insurance etc…. Shuttle came, waited in a long line to take forever to finally get the car. The attendant almost forgot to give me the key. That would have been a disaster!! Why hasn’t this been disrupted!! Come on Elon or Jeff?

The drive was easy, directions basically drove south 50 miles then left to the beach, park before you get to the beach.

Walked on the beach to the hotel. It was a little tricky finding reception. It’s clean and reminds me of an old Motel.

I knew a Frieda Kahlo museum was nearby so I went to it. I never knew she had Polio, nor that she was hit by a tram, or that she had a leg amputated.

Interesting exhibits

So just walking around. It is very touristy. So many bright white legs and sunburns.

Now having a glass of wine, listening to to live music and going back to the hotel soon.

My Guru texted and I will meet him at noon.

What does one do after Everest Base Camp? That is the question I have been getting frequently. …. What else but a Mushroom Journey!

Today I am on my way to Cancun. I found a place near Cancun for a two night stay with psychedelic mushroom experiences. I will be with a guru and see what happens.

Yes I am excited and nervous. The place is called Magick House. I found it through Retreat Guru. I like that it was near a major airport and in a gated community. Sounds like it’s in a jungle with cenotes. These are caverns underground that you can swim in. Some have fish and turtles. That are beautiful! I have been in a few before when I was in Tulum which is nearby.

My dear friend Willie, lets me call him at 4:30 am to drive me to the Border. It is always amusing to drive with him.

It is pretty easy to navigate this airport. There are people all over wanting to help The Volaris app is finally better. They are almost paperless at the airport. Just standing in line for immigration.

Fantastic experience. I have an overnight left and my flight to Doha leaves around 7 pm. Since the layover is so long they automatically put you up in a hotel. I already have the voucher. Then is 15 plus hours to San Francisco. My flight has a 6 hour layover so I booked a Southwest ticket. At best it will be 37 hours to get home!

Set a goal, break it down and achieve it!!

Thanks for reading!💚💛💚

Stayed at Oldest Guest House. Kathmandu Guest House. It had to be refurbished after the earthquake. Beautiful gardens. I could only stay two nights

So I booked another place near by for three nights so I didn’t have to worry about late check out. It was $22 per night. I lasted one night! So noisy and smokey. Had a free drink at night and breakfast then I went in search of somewhere else

Of course I have been shopping. Can’t get enough of the cashmere!

I tried one of my friend Mohamed’s hotels. Internet said he owned but they had no clue. I looked at a room. Reminded me of Shantaram rooms in India. On to Aloft. I walked down a few darks alleys and backed up and started over. Yes A loft hadrooms cheaper on the internet. They ended up upgrading me to a suite!!

Pretty nice for 90 bucks. Plus the $ 44 I deserted. Pays to shop around.

Yesterday Nimmi took me around. She put me in a taxi and she drove her scooter. She gets motion sickness.

First we went to the Monkey Temple. I am sure it’s called something different it’s Buddhist, lots of monkeys and lots of people selling the same stuff everywhere

Next a local Buddhist temple where Nimmi and her family go almost daily to walk around Clockwise

Next stop which I almost, let’s just skip it, I am tired. Well I can sleep when I am dead, speaking of dead, this is a funeral pyre. It’s a woman. The sons shave their heads Nd the oldest had to set his mom on fire. Her face is painted redo. They add incense to cover the smell and add butter to make the fire burn faster. When the fire goes out, everything is swept into the river.

We drove on her scooter, no sense taking a taxi. It was scary and fascinating to be a part of the local culture

And had a manicure yesterday. I chose this design

Here’s I’m my horse:

This was really smart to do or it would have been such a long day. It would have taken three hours. Horse saved an hour. Then lunch

People eat here and warm up. It’s somewhat heated. People are friendly. I met people from 6-7 continents! It wasn’t until the last day that I met an American. I mentioned that I thought people would comment on my Packer hat but this girl from NY newly transferred to Utah, said why, they suck!!! That was what I was looking for, typical Philadelphia fan. Then I met a couple from Sheboygan WI, 30 minutes from where I grew up. He was wearing SF Fire department hat.

This is how steep some place were! Some of the path was washed out. There was a memorial for someone taking a pic of a cave and moved back too far and went over the cliff! Some areas were as wide as my foot.