Fraught with peril

Feb 1: It´s been a most interesting trip. Flew uneventfully from Albuquerque to Dallas fully intending to gut out the overnight layover in the airport. Because of the length of the layover I could not check my luggage through so had all of it with me and was stuck in the ticketing area as the Mexicana Airlines counter wasn´t open. So there I was in the cavernous check-in area with hardly a soul around looking for a place to lay my body down for the night. Armrests prevented lying on the seats and the tile floor was unappealing. The Hyatt Hotel there looked mightly appealing though and the later it got the more appealing it looked. So I asked myself if this trip was intended to be tortuous or could I splurge on a room. Splurge I did. Very luxurious place and maybe a bit indulgent for a few hours of sleep. But at that point I didn´t regret it. Flew off the next morning for Mexico City to await my flight to Xalapa. Lots of customs and security: pockets emptied, but allowed to keep shoes on. Twas a 6 hour wait and while there I attempted calling Roy in Xalapa who has very nice little apts he rents cheaply. Finally reached his wife but he was out of town. Figured I´d reach him when I got to Xapapa. The time finally came for the flight and I went over to the counter to prepare for boarding but...flight cancelled!!! Was told I´d been booked on another airlines to Vera Curz. Where´s my luggage?!! Escorted through the airport to find my luggage; more customs and security. Got my pack, more security checks and press the button for red or green light; got the red light!!! Bags searched. Back to ticket counter for tickets for new flight. Didn´t check my pack so it got flagged at security as it had my little knife in it. Didn´t want to give up the knife and, of course, I had to check my bag anyway. So back through security, check pack, flight about to leave, back through security, plane about to board but, whew, got on. Ok, we´re off. Arrived Vera Cruz and happily there was mini-van from the airport to Xalapa. Balmy and warm in Xalapa. Ahhh. Felt good. Tried calling Roy from the bus station in Xalapa. No Roy. Took a cab into town and stayed, for the first time in my life, in a youth hostel. Not a bad place, a bit spartan but friendly people. Still no Roy.

Beautiful day dawned and I thought I´d go up on the roof to take a few pictures. Went into my pack to get my camera out and......NO CAMERA!!! It had been taken right out of the case along with the charger somewhere enroute. You can´t imagine my upset. Sat stunned for some time. What to do? Perhaps Roy can help as he is a professional photographer. Strolled around town amidst the throngs that typically fill Mexican sidewalks. Finally reached Roy. What a relief. Now at least I´d have a nice comfy place to stay with kitchen and I'd get another camera but Roy was full up!! He said to come over and he'd see what he could do. Met him at his studio but he didn't have any options for me but offered to take me camera shopping later. In the mean time he had a shoot and I went off with some expat friends of his for coffee. Dennis and Ellen were from somewhere in the States and had moved to Xalapa a couple of years ago after retiring. He'd been a chimney sweep. They moved to Mexico convinced that the world economy is going to completely tank. Sold everything, bought gold and silver and two and half years worth of food. They'd never been to Mexico prior to moving and arbitrarily chosen Xalapa. The conversation over coffee revolved around impending economic disaster. Did wonders for my spirits and I was glad to see the last of them. Met up with Roy again and before leaving to go camera shopping we had a bite to eat at his place and time dragged on and then it was decided we'd go the next day (today).

So here it is today, Jan 3, the weather has turned. It's cool and cloudy with spatters of rain. My mood is not good. I'm wrestling with a desire to pull the plug on this trip and fly home. Are these obstacles that keep arising telling me that persevering would be foolhardy? Or are they just hurdles to clear and move on? I just don't know. I'm not the first person to have a camera stolen nor is it the first camera I've had stolen and people encounter thses sorts of challenges often when traveling.

All shall be revealed in the fullness of time.