Important conclusion from 3 mths away:

The 6 P’s of massage measurement:

Psychological benefit; Physical benefit; Pain; Pleasure; Pennies (value for money); Peculiarity (novelty value)

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Luxury in a spare room

I write from a journalist’s desk in a swish (am now using that word all the time… it is Dad’s fault) part of Santiago, Chile.

At 5.45 this morning, I awoke Gideon and he showed me to the spare room / office. did i need anything? just a shower and the web. says it all, doesn’t it. Gideon has heroically allowed me to stay for a few days after a good word from the wonderful Ms Ford.

Christmas feels odd. Am missing pre-christmas drinks and huddling in a pub away from the rain. But I’m sure I will get enough of that in February.

My last few days were spent in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Atitlan. Pictures shortly.

I did not get my chakkras read – but I did very much join the metaphysical community which lives in San Marcos, across the lake from party town San Pedro. Suffice it to say that I have crystals in my pocket; did a whole 2 hours of yoga (tough); spent time chanting in a temazcal sauna with two americans (“it’s like going back to the womb, man”) and a belgian; and had discussion over breakfast of whether Mercury / Odin was indeed the wisest of the gods.

Of course, this international community of mediums, musicians and the odd mad man still have the web, mobiles and pirate dvds. so all is not lost.

Suspect Santiago will be a bit different.

Location update

left Campemente Vincente today, a small place with cabanas and communal eating, and wildlife (see below) which was near Bonampak and Yaxchilan. Bonampak, not so much, Yaxchilan excellent. No problems with Guatemalan border control. The officer thought i spoke spanish… yes, the accent on my buenos dias, i learn it from a booook, was excellent. Am currently in Flores, staying the night on a road. in the middle of it as far as the noise in the room is. but on the hotel balcony there is a stunning view of the lake. And tomorrow to Tikal where i shall stay in the the Jaguar hotel for a few days before heading to Belize to get my diving gear on. ttfn.

Chilling with the howlers

Been chilling out at El Panchan near the ruins site at Palenque for a couple of days. Meeting a few people, chatting, hearing some interesting, and some phenomenally dull stories… oh, and having a debate about the biassed nature of the Blair Broadcasting Corporation. joy. why is it people are always more willing to believe in conspiracy and always want there to be a black and white. whereas shades of grey prevail…

Plus, of course, watching groups of younger travellers flirt and get over excited with each other over a Corona, or have in-depth debates about whether to take the colectivo bus or, like, the premier bus because it’s, like, three hours quicker  but costs two dollars more…

tomorrow at 6am get on a bus to go see Bonampak and Yaxchilan on the Guatemalan border. Then spend weds in the jungle with a Lancandon guide (indigenous indian community that has always lived in this particular jungle) – and then do the border crossing and get on a bus to Flores in northern Guatemala. Mildly concerned about the security issues here, and the chances of getting ripped off during the immigration process… but one takes ones chances. Surely a cheeky chappy smile or a rakish grin will get me by, right?

Round the World: Decision

So, the plan is:

Peru – Guatemala – Belize – New Zealand – Hong Kong – Syria – Jordan – Blighty…

Now all I have to do is book flights, find hotels, find trips, plan to leave the house for 3 months… easy, eh?