I reach San Cristobal with no food, few pesos, and nowhere to sleep. Its a little colonial city, antique, and perched on the tip of a mountain. Colourful houses and cobblestone streets create a charming atmosphere reinforced by the gorgeous churches and friendly inhabitants.
Leaving the bus depot and wondering what to do, a blonde kid runs up and asks me if i'm looking for a place to stay. I nod. He recommends 'Casa Babylon' two streets down, so I get a floor matress for the night at 35 pesos.The hostel is cozy and has a good vibe. Two shaggy looking guys roll a joint in the patio. They introduce themselves as Igael and Emmanuel. I ask for a drag.
'Tiene Perico' / 'Its got coke', Igael says,
'No problemo', I inhale deeply and taste the sweet powder burning.
Igael is from Hermosillo, and coming back from San Pedro La Laguna in Guatemala, I ask him if he knows Omar, the guy I'd briefly met in Oaxaca with Sinuhe. He laughs! Of course he knows Omar, he lived with the guy! We marvel at the coincidence (or lack thereof) and I know im in the right place.
Emmanuel chills on the bean bag and plays punk music, he's making a mix tape, he reminds me of a younger version of a friend in Australia called Easton. We hang and smoke, two guys show up with bag fulls of shrooms and go for it, drugs are everywhere, I toke on my joint and watch.
In the afternoon I meet Miguel from Switzerland, a built, blonde, blue eyes, with a mastery of Spanish and a great sense of humour, we go out at midnight for something to do and end up at a Reggae party where a funky band from Tijuana is playing. I dance freely, content. But my stomach aches, I hadn't eaten for days until this afternoon where I stuffed my stomach full of junk. Im forced to use the bathroom with no door and get strangers piss on me from the seat. It was an emergency!
Feeling better and dancing, some drinks, talk to some girls, they all love Miguel, its obvious why, we leave at two to get some sleep, on the way out a travelling troupe approaches me, they want some weed, not now, dont have any, maybe tomorrow I say, we might see each other tomorrow, all good, take care brother. Sleep.
