We’ve been in Mexico three weeks and they have gone so well. We’ve enjoyed all the hotels we’ve stayed in and have found traveling via air-conditioned motor coach is easy and comfortable.

When we were in San Cristóbal de las Casas I purchased bus tickets for 5 days of travel.

I picked the same seats for all five trips: front row, door side. The tickets were emailed to me.

Travel days we arrive at the station and once the trip is announced proceed to the bus where the tickets are scanned as we board the bus. It worked going to Comitán, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and Tehuantepec. But on the day we were to travel to Huatulco we waited and waited for a bus.

After 30 minutes of patiently waiting I went to enquire.

“That route has been canceled.”

Why?

“Villagers are blocking the highway.”

Why?

“It’s a protest against the government.”

I have a dozen questions: “What would you do? Is it safe? Are the villagers peaceful?”

We could either wait and watch the situation or keep moving forward. I wanted to keep moving as we had non-refundable reservations in Huatulco.

The price of our tickets was refunded and I was given step-by-step instructions (in Spanish) of what to do – which is exactly what we ended up doing!

• 1) Take a taxi to Salina Cruz 11 miles away where there are colectivos to Huatulco.
• 2) Hop on a colectivo to go to the point of the blockage.
• 3) Walk the gauntlet (er, highway) wheeling our suitcases through the logs placed across the road while being watched by the gathered villagers. (They were peaceful. No one said a word. It was safe.)
• 4) Choose transportation to take us the rest of the way to Huatulco. There was some competition from colectivo and taxi drivers, a lot of shouting and confusion. We chose the colectivo and our suitcases were tied on top.

We were refunded $520MX. The alternative travel cost $360MX, a savings of US$7.78.

When we reminisce about this trip we may laugh about the crazy adventure we had getting here. That, or the fact that although there are two of us, the maid leaves only one chocolate on the bed each day!

You all know that I am a travel hacker, but you may not know that Steve collects Starbucks Stars. He has the Starbucks branded Chase Visa card, has 1000s of stars and is given a free drink each month along with other perks.

Funny story while we are waiting at the Tehuantepec bus station for the bus. Steve noticed that he had a code for his free drink reward. Not wanting it to go unused he texted our son in Oregon and offered it to him. “Yes! Perfect timing, I just ran out of coffee. Can be there in 20 minutes.”

Sitting in the bus station Steve used his Starbucks app to order a coffee drink at the Clackamas Crossing Starbucks over 3210 miles away. Son picked it up. No problema!

Yes, there have been frustrations. One is that I’m having to write these blog posts on my phone.

Another is the telescoping handle on my expensive roll-aboard suitcase quit telescoping.

We leave soon to use our final bus ticket. Hopefully next time we’ll Meet You in the Morning in Puerto Escondido.