the world through the windsheild of ron and kat: Waterfalls...Celebrations and the Jungle

Salto de Eyipantla

This 160 foot waterfall carries the run off from Lake Catemoco by way of the river that flows past our campground. It must be very close to the campground as the bird flies, but it took us 45 minutes to a hour to reach it by road via a very scenic drive through the mountains. We were needlessly concerned about following the signs to the falls because the road ended in the parking lot. There are two observation areas one at the top and one at the bottom down 245 steps and back up the same 245 stairs. We didn't find the trail to the top until after we had descended to the bottom and labored back up.

Both vistas were beautiful.

The Virgin of Guadeloupe Celebrations

December 12 is the day set aside to celebrate the Virgin of Guadeloupe throughout Mexico. This is possibly the most important holiday in Mexico for the devout. Worship and sacrifice in the form of pilgrimages are performed by groups from the villages...They walk, run or bike from their village to another city town or village. Some wear team-like uniforms often bearing the image of the Virgin. Many carry lit torches. The first procession we came upon with a torch we thought it was the Olympic Torch, until I went on the Internet and found out the Olympic Torch is currently in Eastern Canada. These processions include a pickup or truck elaborately decorated with flowers, balloons and ribbons and a statue or picture of the Virgin. We made our way to the Zocalo (main Square) early to check out the preparations for the celebrations

Then we headed lakeside for dinner and a sunset.

Sunset was our clue to to head back up to the square to check out the evenings activities.

The Vendors were busy dishing out street food. Not a Taco in sight, in fact all the Vendors were selling

HotDogs!!!!!

Ron could not resist checking out his favorite food even if he was too full from a big dinner to eat one.

These two young boys are part of a family of clowns who are preforming here tonight, they had great fun playing with the crowd before their show.

And the crowd really enjoyed their show, especially the little kids.

We were sure that the clowns would be followed by music and a street dance, but we have had a long day. We considered seeing if Santa's Train would take us back to the RV Park, but settled for a

Taxi instead. Cost of ride in the cab a little over $1 and after all to days walking, priceless

Last day for Touring around Catemoco. We slept late had a light lunch boarded the Jeep and again headed into the mountains. This time our final destination was the Gulf of Mexico about 16 miles away through the Tuxtla Mountains. We could have driven all the way but it was reported to us that even with the Jeep it would be a long drive......So we opted for a jungle boat ride through the Mangrove swamps and on to the beach.

We followed this fisherman out the channel into the main body of water.

We saw a few birds.

Saw a lot of spooky growth. The movies Medicine man and Apocolypto were filmed here.

Juan (in the center) road along with us as far as his fathers ranch which can only be reached by boat or walking down the beach. He said that when the cattle go to market they are herded down the beach to the nearest road, Juan is a Physics Major at the University of Mexico in Mexico City and was returning home for Christmas break. He will graduate this spring and would like to go into research. A very nice young man who we are sure will be very successful.