Oaxaca - Boxing Day

Well I made it to the hotel last night despite my desperate mescal-fuelled tragi-poetic attempts of not going mad on a bus driving through 5 hours of cactus-festooned desert, and this town is an absolute treat. Nothing is above 2 storeys due to the high frequency of earthquake tremors, which in turn means the whole place looks a spaghetti western film set. I had the best meal yet last night and my first pudding so far - cheese-stuffed peppers with rice, guacamole and refrito (refried beans) followed by a moist almond cake thing - a perfect Xmas Day meal. Tonight there is a reggae/roots live band session in town, and thanks to a tour at a mescal factory this afternoon I am stocked up and ready to go. Others in my hostel also stocked up so we have a rendezvous on the hostel roof in a while to savour the different blends - how marvellous. I also bought a poncho today from a family of weavers using natural dyes and lovely smelling wool - I am so happy I could cry. I might later, depending on the mescal intake.

Horror of horrors tomorrow night I have a 12 hr bus trip - a night bus - to get to San Cristobal in the mountains. Leaving at 9pm tomorrow, I arrive at 9am the next day (I have no idea what day it is, I can only guess in a linear sense). It's going to be harsh but San Cristobal is worth the effort I am told. It's also cold up there so I get to christen my poncho!!

Hope everyone at home is having a good Xmas - and Carnegies please say happy Xmas to the Aunties for me!!! XXXXXX