(long post.....) many many times in Mexico/C.America there are NO campgrounds. not even a little. not a one. it is not America. it is not Canada. and its not Europe. or even New Zealand or Oz. we have to get creative, and ask to owners to park up at hotels, restaurants, temples, ruins, zoos, and anywhere that seems like it will have some level of security for us to sleep at night. things like electricity, water and sanitation usually take a big backseat. its not always fun. and takes alot of grit and creativity to get by sometimes. we pulled into this motel (was the 4th one we tried that day), and asked if we could park up outside on the grass under a tree for the night. the lady was just loveliness, and even though confused as to why we would choose to sleep in the van, and not in a motel room there, she agreed to take $4 for 1 night, as compared to $40 per night for the room. we are on a budget. its not the end all of everything and we do flex if we have to, but we know if we choose to spend wisely, our little $ saved will go further. and $40 per night for as many nights as weve been travelling would add up. big time! there was no power. and it was HOT!!! like, wanna run-around-naked-but-that-wouldnt-be-enough hot!! hot hot hot!! and sticky-sweaty. and with no electricity, comes no fans at night in the van. UGH! but there was pavilion there by the tree we parked under, with lots of shade. and super built-in hammock hooks. and after turning off the engine and a quick trip to the loo in the outhouse building they had for ground workers, we were ~melting~ and ready to hang up our hammocks and just sit there and pray for a tiny breeze. our boys are amazing. i know, all parents say that stuff. but i am going to go out on a limb and say they are the most amazing. lol!!!! cause they didnt complain. not even once. and i was silently complaining in my mind.....my shirt was soaked all the way through, my hair looked like i had come straight out of the shower, noseeums nibbled my legs, and i was not happy. i kept it under wraps, but was secretly wishing for a giant turbo fan, or maybe snow? lol but them --- they just hopped into the hammocks, and told jokes, and stories, were general goofballs & laughed and were just happy. like really happy. never phased, and totally go-with-the-flow!!! much to learn from them!!! so we slept the night in the van. and by slept, i mean we lay there in 92F heat & no wind, damp towels on our tummies and feet to try and suck out the heat, eyes open, waiting for the sun to rise. that was me and nate....the boys slept. i told you, troupers! in the morning, the lovely lady came down to where we parked. she was still **amazed** that we choose to sleep out there?!?! couldnt understand all of her spanish, but her facial expressions and hand gestures told it all..... lol! i guess she saw the glazed no-sleep expressions and the dripping sweat. she told us that since there was nobody at the motel, she would let have a room that night for $10......WITH ac and a shower :D !!!!!!!!!!!!! that, my friends, is a good soul. a very good and kind soul. and we were MOST grateful and very very humbled!! we didnt go anywhere that day. we sat there in the ac and took a super shower. and just enjoyed the no-sweat thing for a good long time!! and i have to say, that this type of thing happens more often than not! not the sweaty-hot bit, that is just recently.....but the kindness bit. really, there are just SO many wonderfully GOOD people. the good out there as we travel, has by FAR outweighed any bad!!!!! really, by far far! and i love knowing that, and knowing that our boys know that too..... ^_^ !!!
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:22:29 +0000