acapulco

what's a standard response when you tell someone that you are going to spend some time in acapulco? a selection of samples that i've heard includes: "tough life", "sounds great", "i'm jealous", or some variant thereof.

well, i am here (in acapulco) to tell you that it's not all it's cracked up to be. i have been to much nicer resort towns in mexico, and i would recommend to any of you out there who are considering traveling mexico for a beach experience to head elsewhere in the country. i will suggest an old favorite, puerto escondido.

perhaps it's more fun when the area is packed with tourists (i cannot believe that is possible, but i figured it was worth mentioning). my impression of the town is that it is over-developed, the hotels are too damn tall, the traffic on the main road (~200 m from the beach) is treacherous for pedestrians and cars alike, it's loud, the food is average for mexico, there are a ton of fast-food chains (see top picture for a representative collage - all pics taken within 3/4 mile of my hotel), and there isn't much to do besides the beach. obviously, no ringing endorsement from the sage 'stache for acapulco. i have heard that heading just north to pie de la cuesta (~20 min drive) is well worth it, as it is much smaller, more remote, and more relaxing. i don't hate acapulco, but i won't be back next time i'm in mexico.

the one thing that acapulco has delivered is an excellent stache pic. it includes me and an affable character named Dr. Simi. i ran into him on the walk back from the conference yesterday afternoon ... apparently he is named after the pharmacy chain Farmacia Similares. anyhow, my 15-second encounter with Dr. Simi just about made my trip to acapulco worth it.

i'm headed back to mexico city tomorrow morning to spend another 36 hrs there before returning stateside. in other news, i'm happy to report that i gave the eviction notice to the aforementioned microbes residing in my stomach.

** newsflash** literally, as i am writing this post from my hotel room, i am happy to report another street protest here in acapulco. which brings me to my words of wisdom for the day.

** where goes the 'stache, goes social justice and civil unrest **