SCOTT GOES NORTH

There are some times when the challenge of driving all the way to Panama seems insurmountable, and other times when life on the road could hardly be easier. Even with lodging, food, and gas as cheap as it is in Mexico, my greatest challenge has been to keep on budget. It became clear recently that making it to Panama was going to put me into debt once I made back to the States. The insecurity of whether I would have a decent paying job (especially in such a turbulent economy) upon my return was troubling--enough so that I had to leave Joel with our new travelling buddies and head north. Visions I had of living cheaply down here by finding a job or compensated volunteer opportunities disappeared, and I became too enveloped with the leisure of beach camping. As much as I looked forward to what surprises the road south held, I was equally satisfied with all the unexpected adventures we already had. Some of the experiences I have written about here, some I have yet to write (look forward to that soon), and some you will just have to hear about in person.

So after a ten hours on four buses yesterday, I'm in Puerto Vallarta about to get a lift to the airport. LA is calling me for now, but I'm hoping to be back in Seattle for the holidays.

Unless Joel writes about it first, check in soon for a story about Tapalpa, a so-called "pueblo magico," as well as partying with students on a field trip to a nearby waterfall.

Best of luck on the second leg, Joel