4/27/09

Outside of San Cristobal, we took the well-marked turn onto Mex 186 toward Ocosingo and Palenque.  Again we were struck by the excellent quality of the pavement, signage, guard rails, lane lines and general road conditions throughout the state of Chiapas.  The roads are some of the best in Mexico and are a dream in comparison to the main highways we have driven on in Michoacan, Hidalgo and Oaxaca, to name a few.

Soon out of San Cristobal, we entered what I deemed the “war of the signs”.  We encountered sign after sign posted by either the government or the EZLN.  The government signs outline the road and infrastructure projects, educational programs, water treatment facilities and other initiatives they have sponsored statewide as well as in individual pueblos.  The EZLN signs and graffiti proclaim which land and towns are autonomous, encourage rebellion against the government/capitalism and protest recently detained Zapatista men.  These signs, along with beautiful mountain scenery, made the Mex 186 / 199 drive to Palenque a very interesting one.

Chiapas countryside

Before reaching Palenque, we turned off to the waterfalls at Agua Azul.  The fascinatingly blue water beckoned many swimmers into the main pool near the bottom of the falls.  We declined to take a dip, but hiked around the falls a bit before heading to our campground in Palenque. 

Agua Azul