The Adventure Begins

Oh, Mexico, it sounds so simple I just got to go 

The sun's so hot I forgot to go home 

Guess I'll have to go now

Oh, Mexico, it sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low 

Moon's so bright like to light up the night 

Make everything all right 

~ James Taylor

We started our Mexican summer adventure by visiting Ana and her family for the weekend in Las Palmas, Veracruz.  While there, we gathered up the 2 nieces and 2 nephews who would be accompanying us on the tour of jungles and Mayan ruins during the week.  

I could tell you about the living conditions, which seem almost inconceivable to a middle-class American - no paved roads, no stores, restaurants, post offices, banks or doctor offices, no computers or internet access, no running water, using an outhouse, cooking over a wood fire...  

Or I can show you pictures of the people - the smart, funny, happy and loving people who made us feel welcome and at home.  Here are some photo highlights from the weekend with her family:  

Me and Scott in Las Palmas:  

Ana's nephew, Giovani (4), with his new soccer ball (we took gifts for the kids):

Giovani and Gibe - cousins and best friends:

Ana, with her nephew, Santi (2) and great-niece, Neri (2) (Notice the skirt?):

Some pigs (age unknown):  

Gibe on his Dad's horse:  

Gibe with his parents:  

Mayi (16) - one of Ana's nieces who accompanied us on our adventure:  

Neri (2) - trying to enjoy her new toy without anyone noticing:  

Felipe (12) - who joined us on our adventure - showing off the working crane that he built with his new kit:  

Ana's brother, sister-in-law and nephew serenade us:  

Walking to Sunday morning Mass:  

Riding in the truck.  Scott's comment at the time - "This is ten times more dangerous than anything else we're going to be doing this trip."  

Michelle (12) - who joined us on our adventure - taking pictures with Scott's camera:  

Ana's father:  

Chayito helping me under the barbed wire:  

Scott playing volleyball with the kids:  

Another of Ana's nieces:

Me and Scott in Ana's sister's house, where we spent the (hot, hot) night:  

One "advantage" of the blistering heat - I never noticed any of the hormonal hot flashes that have been plaguing me lately!  ;)

More tomorrow...