It
was a little early to get going so I grabbed a coffee and some internet while I
waited for some light. We grabbed a cab and I was surprised at the size of
Tuxtla Gutiérrez as we drove through.

In
Chiapa de Corzo we sat in the square for a little while before saying our
farewells and I made my way down to the river. It was still very early so
everything was closed but the restaurants were all getting ready for the day by
sweeping all the leaves and setting out their tables.

At
8 (well 8 latino time) I did my rounds to find and book a tour but until then I
found a spot to sit and enjoyed the tranquility of the river and the birds. I
had to wait about two hours for the boat to fill up so we could get going. It
was rather hot when we did get going so it was good to have the breeze coming
off the water.

The
canyon was great to see from the water and get a true understanding of its
size. It started like a little valley but we were soon about a kilometer from
the mountains above. While on the water the guide was explaining a few things
that I had no idea what he was saying but enjoyed the baby crocodiles with
their mothers and various kinds of birds. At one point we even saw some monkeys
in the trees in the distance.

When
we hit the hydro power dam we turned around and sped back to the dock. I
managed to catch a few winks on the way but it still felt like it took an age
to get there. At the dock I collected my bags and walked to grab a colectivo to
the main road and then another one from there to San Cristobal. Fortunately I
hardly waited for either and was on my way with air con in no time.

As
we arrived in San Cristobal de las Casas it started pouring with rain. I got
out the colectivo and quickly found shelter to wait it out which took about
30min. I then made my way around the corner and discovered why there was such a
traffic jam. A few roads had been flooded and people where slowly starting to
use them. I quickly put the rain cover on my bag (for the first time) and took
off my sloffies and went into all terrain mode and waded through the knee high
water before finding the pavement. It was also a little under water but not for
long. All terrain mode helped as in my sloffies I was sliding all over so
continued down the street all the way to my hostel like that.

At
the hostel u dumped my bags and headed to grab some much needed food and beer
before taking off to see some of the sights on offer. I had some tamales (1
with beans and the other two I'm not sure what was inside). I am not a fan of
tamales so think I will stay away from them in the future.

I
didn't manage to walk around much as I kept slipping and sliding everywhere. I
did see a nice looking building on the top of a hill but could make it there so
appreciated it from afar. The plan is to come here on the way to Central
America and maybe see more of the area. Back at the hostel I got some internet
before taking a much needed nap.

When
I got up I got some WiFi and Sanaa planted a seed of me visiting her in San
Francisco. I did a bit of research before putting the idea on ice. There are so
many places I want to see and go to and all the opportunities keep appearing
and its so hard to say no! Let me sleep on it and see.

So
I went for a walk to find some food. I spotted an Argentinean steak place on my
earlier wonderings and I walked past many other places to try convince myself
against it but my long craving for steak won in the end and I caved for a nice
steak and red wine for a cold night. The only problem was that the wine was
more expensive than the steak so I got beer instead.

There
is nothing like food hitting the spot when I have been craving it for so long!
I was waiting with anticipation when my steak arrived and it didn't disappoint.
It was expensive but worth it and the best is that I don't feel over full from
it.

It's
a short walk back to the hostel and when I got there I was really cold so got
into bed and read a little before calling it a night ready for my early start
in the morning.