PLAYA AZUL, BLUE BEACH, IS THE southernmost latitude thus far, just below the 18th laditude at 17.9801, -102.3487 and I don′t anticipate going any closer to the equator during this journey. I saw this town on the map, liked the name and just had to come here. I did finally get to sleep last night but it was late, long after midnight. The soccer field where I had parked became a party spot for the local beer guzzlers so I left to find different accommodations. It is sad how the locals just drink their beer and leave a pile of broken bottles and trash in their wake.

I walk to the beach just before daybreak and enjoy the sunrise. There are quite a few people on the beach even at this early hour. Also, even though the sunrise is remarkable, it turns out that any blue that was ever at this location has been long lost in the mask of brown sand and brown water.

Maybe at one time there was blue water and white sand, but blue no longer applies here and I am not impressed at all with Playa Azul; now it only sounds good when you speak the words.

Leaving Playa Azul, I drive up the coast and soon find the blue water and white sand beaches but also large groves of palm trees lining the beaches. Methinks that when humans move in, sadly, the earth in his wake always turns brown.

A short ways up the coast, I come to another small town, Chucutitan, which is located in a cove with large rocks in the ocean.

There are pelicans everywhere, especially on the beach where they are awaiting a hand out from the fishermen who are cleaning their catch.

Then one of the fishermen walk out onto the rocks to resupply his bait.

Continuing up the coast of the state, the opportunity for photos of the rocks, the palm trees, the coves and the beaches become so plentiful that I only stop at a few to take photos.

After driving about a hundred miles up the coast of Michoacan, I cross into the state of Colima (10) where I turn northward towards the mountains, stopping to take a photo of the Nevado de Colima, tallest (14,015 feet) of the Nevado de Colima National Park.

Leaving Colima, I soon enter the state of Jalisco (11) and drive first to Jocotepec where I to to the waterfront to search for a WiFi hot spot. However, since there does not seem to be one here I decided to drive to Guadalajara and search.

After driving for over ten miles in Guadalajara and not finding a single hot-spot, I begin to suspect that the last upgrade I did to my computer messed up the computer′s WiFi reception capability.

Frustrated, I pull into the parking lot at a d-mart, go into my favorite restaurant next door to eat a chicken Caesar salad, after which I do a little shopping in the d-mart. Next, I restore my computer to before the last update and this procedure corrects the problem. Now the software is seeing all the hot-spots nearby, however, there is not a single unsecured one here. I will have to drive some more to locate one I can use but I decide to wait until tomorrow. (Day 32)

I awake at first light but go back to sleep until eight and after finally getting up, I go directly into the mart to wash up. I also buy two five liter bottles of water to refill my drinking bottles. Inside the mart is a BanaMex money machine where I am able to gain access with my bank card to withdraw some pesos. ¹⁹

Then, I come back to my van and do a little housekeeping. While having lunch, I watch the parking lot attendants. They work for tips and some even offer to wash your car and black the tires. As I am about to throw away the empty five liter water jugs, one of the attendants whistles at me and tells me he wants the jugs. I don′t need them any more, it was the water that I need, and five liters cost thirteen pesos, about one dollar.

Later, I drive down the highway, one with all kinds of interesting sights until I find a five-bar hot-spot. I find a place to park and then get a lot of things done on the internet before heading south again towards Lake Chapala.

The drive to the lake is flat until just before arriving when I climb over some mountains and once cresting the pass see the lake below. The main road leads right to the waterfront where I quickly find a parking spot and get out of my van just in time to take some photos of the sunset.

Afterwards, I walk along the waterfront and check out the market and the large variety of different stands. I find that most have already begun closing so I return to my van to work some more on the computer. I will spend the day here tomorrow to explore a little and work further on all of my photos. (Day 33)

I arise at the sunrise and begin looking for a baño but the ones in the market area are locked so I drive back up main street and stop at a convenience store and buy some coffee. Now, I will return to the waterfront to look for a hot-spot. It takes a little while but finally, I do find a hot-spot, not at the waterfront, rather on the highway west towards Jocotepec. There is a coffee house along the road and I park directly across the street from it to access the internet. I send an e-mail to Rich who lives in Jocotepec and he responds that the English meeting is tomorrow evening and I then reply that I will see him then. Too, I have seen a lot of Americans here walking by in this area.

At about one the breakfast restaurant closes and I loose the WiFi connection. That is ok because I will be back tomorrow morning. Then I drive back to the waterfront, park and do some reading.

Later, about two in the afternoon, because it is too hot to stay in my van, I go for a walk along the waterfront market and take a few photos of the blanket weavers and their beautiful work. Then, I walk to the end of the waterfront to where the restaurants are and see an interesting water fountain and the man made island just off of the Malecón with a statue of what I find out later represents Jesus the Fisherman.

At four, I walk back down front street to return to my van and move it to a shady spot so I can sit down and rest for a while. A little after five, Ron and Karone walk by and comment about the Washington license plates on my van. They ask me what part of Washington I am from and tell me that they are from Clarkstown in the southeast part of the state. Then they ask me to join them for supper and I accept.

I really enjoy their company and we have so much in common to talk about. Then Ron picks up the check which I totally never expected him to do; that was very generous of them. We walk back to our cars and then say good by. What a nice couple, I hope to see them again one day.

The evening drags on because it is very warm, especially in my van, too warm to sleep and I find myselƒ still awake at midnight. I think this town and lake are really beautiful, however, the warm temperatures I am experiencing here, and especially since it is January, are definitely not what I am looking for. Nevertheless, I will continue with my plans to visit the local congregation. (Day 34)

Just like yesterday morning, the bells from the church that is located directly behind the Casadores restaurant begin ringing at seven-thirty, and not just a few rings but a total of thirty-three which makes it seem to go on forever. Because these same bells awoke me yesterday, I know that there is another series of numerous rings coming in fifteen minutes and yet another set at eight. What is this all about? Therefore, it makes no sense trying to go back to sleep with all the upcoming ding-a-ling bells, so, I get up, and do my routine.

First, I get dressed, then wash my hair and face, brush my teeth and record the temperature. Next, I drive to the breakfast restaurant for my internet connection to check my email. Since I am here, I decide to go inside to have breakfast and use the baño. The name of the restaurant is Delicias Coffee and I order the Machaca which is scrambled eggs cooked with dried beef, beans, salsa and a tortilla, which costs 55 pesos, 70 pesos with coffee. This is an expensive restaurant catering to the many Gringos who live in the community who are willing to pay the inflated prices and because so, it provides WiFi and has a garden patio in the back with a fountain and pool. ²⁰ I stay for a while here and work online.

Soon after, I drive west on the highway towards Jocotepec and stop at the Malecón and pier where I find a shady spot in the parking lot to rest for a few hours.

At about five, I drive to Dick′s house and ring the doorbell and soon, Dick comes out and then invites me in to meet his wife, Bella. They immediately offer me a hot shower and I accept without any argument.

Then I get dressed for the meeting and ride with Dick and Bella to the hall. The congregation is almost entirely Gringos from the US, Canada and Australia. After the meeting, Dick, Bella and I go for a burrito and then back to their home where we sit up to talk and tell stories until well after midnight. (Day 35)

The only thing that keeps me from sleeping late this morning is myselƒ because I awake early like I do every morning. However, instead of getting up, I go back to sleep until eight, after which, I walk into the house and verbally greet Dick. He then comes downstairs, makes some coffee and then cooks some eggs for us. I spend the day working on my computer only to put it up to go out for lunch with Dick at Paul′s torta cafe. Paul, an American who has lived in Mexico since he was a child is about the same age as Dick and myselƒ. Upon returning to his home, Dick offers to take a photo of me.

I return to my computer until about seven when a plate of food is put in front of me. Dick has barbecued steaks, and serves it with potatoes and carrots, a really nice meal. Afterwards, I retire to the jammer and do some reading. (Day 36)

I awake late this morning, actually, I awake early, go back to sleep and finally get up shortly after eight o′clock. This street is a very quite one and allows for me to very easily turn over and go back to sleep.

I finally get up to spend most of the day finishing the map of The Wayƒarer′s Path showing all of the states and provinces that I have journeyed through. Finally, I retire to my van, cook my supper and prepare for tomorrow′s meeting.(Day 37)

Today, I awake before the sunrise, get up and go in for shower. Then, I come back out to my casa and finish my study for the meeting which begins at ten this morning. At nine-thirty I ride with Dick and Bella to the Hall for the meeting. Afterwards, we return home and all three begin working on planting grass in the back yard which was delivered yesterday.

Dick has a small roto-tiller that we use to break up the soil. Then I use a rock rake to remove the rocks and the large chunks of soil. Next, Bella adds some cow manure on top of the tilled soil and then we all lay the sod. The sod is in large pieces 20 inches by 36 inches and go down fairly quickly and I volunteer for the "on the knees" part of the job.

Immediately after we finish laying the sod and picking up the tools it begins to rain and we all comment on how with this rain God seems to have blessed our efforts. I go into the house to take a shower and Bella offers to wash my dirty clothes. I agree and Bella tells me that Dick and her will be going out for an evening appointment but I am welcome to stay here. She also has prepared me a tasty Greek salad which I do so enjoy.

Later, I do drive to the waterfront to spend time walking about enjoying the activities and taking some photographs.

As I am walking around at the waterfront, I notice some kids playing on skate boards and I sit and watch them for a while. Once the kids acknowledge me, I ask if I can try their board and he immediately kicks it to me. Now, it has been many years since I road a skate board but I hop right up on it and begin to ride in around. (It is a skill you never forget, you just get to old to be able to perform those tricks you use to do.)

Then we begin to communicate and describe the different moves, me the moves I use to make and the kid the different moves he can or wants to do. All in all, we each learn a little bit and I thank them when I leave. He says gracias also. Then I drive back to my parking spot and get ready for sleep. (Day 38)