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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Parque Nacional Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl





Up early in an effort to beat the heavy traffic. Every tourist brochure and advisory recommends highly to not drive in Mexico city. Well my advice is - "Don´t be so bloody stupid and just don´t do it at all." Especially if you are riding a motorcycle. It is bloody dangerous - no rules, no courtesy, no proper signage, poor road surfaces in places and high percentage of drivers are aggressive beyond common sense.



Had myself on the right road going south but allowed myself, somehow, to be shunted off onto another one but still going south. Ended up after a couple of hours up in the mountains in a National Park. So the outcome was not so bad.

The park is named after the two volcanoes in the area. Both are well over 5000 metres above sea level.

Had a beautiful view of the city of Mexico and the surrounds volcanic mountains.












Stopped in a village in the mountains for lunch. A young man, the son of the cafe owner, was less discreet than most and showed a lot of interest in my bike. Before you know it every young man with an interest in bikes arrived on the scene. One man, Carlos, who had worked in USA was very friendly and interpreted my story. They all took photos of themselves seated on the bike. They bought me a couple of bottles of drink for the road. They suggested that I ride a new road that had just been constructed and not yet on any maps. Great for motorcycle riding apparently and sure it will not take me out of way.


Well they were right on one score. It was great for motorcycle riding but it took me well out of the way. I wanted to get to Oaxaca city but I wasn´t going to make it now.



Found a reasonable hotel in a truck stop type town - Huajapan De Leon. Sweet old lady runs the place and I think she gave me the best room she had. She even gave me toilet paper apparently that is optional.


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