Time for something a little different. I arrived in Campeche from Merida yesterday afternoon. But we're not talking about that this time. Here are a few largely unrelated observations I have about my journey one week on.

• Mexicans must need to make lots of copies. There are small copy stores on every street.
  
• I seem to be developing unidentified skin blemishes. But they're fading.
  
• No one pays attention to which bus seat or hostel bed they're assigned.
  
• This isn't so much a one-and-a-half-year adventure as it is a series of small adventures... each with their own beginning, middle, and end. I'm happiest and most anxious in the beginnings.
  
• Mexicans like their car horns even more than Americans.
  
• Dogs and citrus fruit are quite ugly unless wall cleaned and cared for.
  
• Except as emergency money, one should never use travelers' checks.
  
• When saying "tengo hambre," I'm hungry (literally I have hunger), be very careful with the first vowel sound in "hambre."
  
• Eating is more expensive when you must pay for water.
  
• Most of the time, maps don't help.
  
• The green sauce is pureed fire, but good.
  
• Second class is still better than Greyhound.
  
• If in doubt, smile.
  
• Rough Guide guidebooks suck.
  
• TV's are louder in Mexico
  

Tomorrow I'll probably head to the ruins at Uxmal before continuing on south to Palenque sometime in the next few days.