Travel "Quotes" and Quotes

As the title indicates, I will summarize my travels with not my own words, but those of other travelers, who have better captured what it is to journey. But first, I'll give you the quotes:

15 countries, 15 weeks.

330 hours on bus, which may not include all the day trips.

No more than 5 days in any given place.

Umpteen facebook friends to reconnect with in future travels.

Dollars/credit spent: not important.



Here's Ernesto Che Guevara, before his epic and life changing journey to explore South America. I'll open on his quotes from "The Motorcycle Diaries" as I had hit the same route as Che during part of my voyage.

"What do we leave behind when we cross each frontier? Each moment seems split in two; melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land"

Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought. I am not me any more. At least I'm not the same me I was.

~ Ernesto 'Ché' Guevara

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

Happy travels!

Mexico

Tourism to Mexico has been marred as of late due to the escalating drug violence and which has included not only police authorities and dealers, but has also lead to the unjust murders of civilians, children and tourists who had no connections whatsoever to the wars.

It is a shame that the blood has stained a country otherwise known for its culture and music, food and passion. Many people now associate the food of Latin America with that of Mexico, even though this is sometimes not the case (in allusion to South America). The Mexicans have the closest ties to North America for the simple fact that they are in closest proximity. The tourism hit defers the further exploration of the country, which, for the majority of tourists, is limited to resort areas like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.

However, let us not forget that the real essence of Mexico does not lie in the white sand surrounding the $6 bucket of Corona's being lapped up by the turquoise water. No, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata led their revolution across the land, in order to free the people and redistribute the wealth. Perhaps one day, when borders are not such a bloody mess, Bolivar's dream of a united Latin America, supported by Marti and Neruda, will refer to all of the Americas, the New World.

For now, Mexico still provides a getaway, some beach time, and flavor in our lives, despite it's turmoils.

Belize

The English colony of Belize stands out among its Central American counterparts for its allegiance to the Queen, and consequently its main language, English. However, a strong Latino and Caribbean flavor is present.

It is interesting to note that the infamous Mayans were able to repel the Spanish, only to fall to the British Buccaneers. The Kriol language is intriguing to the ear, with hints of English amidst a slurry of words from African languages.

Caye Caulker is a typical island getaway, highly accessible to from the capital of Belize, Belize City, as well as a port to and from surrounding cays and Mexico/Honduras. Coral reefs surrounding the area are home to thousands of fish species, and the famous shark and ray alley in the protected national park is a spectacle for all.