A vote for Señor Pollo is a vote for Señor Chicken

25 de Junio

Mexico is like going to a mates house after a long time apart, and he provides you with loads of cerveza and tequila. It is a country of intrigue, of diversity, of images of the wild west and men with sombreros. A country where stonewash denim still rules the catwalks, and where you can get an awesome pair of cowboy boots for under $100.

We are in San Cristobal de la Casas, a town in the southeast of Mexico, a few hours from the Guatemala border. It was founded in the sixteenth century, and many of the buildings still exist. The highlight is the Cathedral, Santo Domingo, which was started in the 1500's some time, but kept getting damaged by the many earthquakes southern Mexico experienced for over 300 years, until finally it was finished in 1815. Of course in 1816, wouldn't you know it, a massive earthquake hit the town and flattened the church. However, it is a magnificent sight, day and night, and a major gathering spot and melting pot for all of the towns folk.

The church had many clever disguises

 The church is also popular for political gatherings. There is a state election planned for next week, and to woo voters, the candidates put on a mini party, of free popcorn, rides and bottles of 7 Up. They also try to appeal to voters with some pretty outrageous poses for magazines and billboards. Our favourite is Señor Pollo, who has decided that the only way to win votes is to dress up as a chicken.

Covering himself in chickens was the only way Señor Pollo would get votes 

"I think the only way I can challenge Señor Pollo in this election is to dress as a farm animal!"

The opposition, are the Zapatistas, who are basically a group of alternative youngsters and rebels, whom since a failed coup in the mid nineties, have always been on the outer with serving and future governorships. A bit like the Greens party, but with real beliefs and policies. We were quite interested in what they had to say, translating their policies they had written, until we realised that the party they were protesting against, the PRI, has the colour red as their motif. Mooney decided to wear red this day, in total coincidence of course, and didn’t realise this until while we were mingling with them. No harm done though, the risk of being carried off and executed down a back alley was minimal. Unless we didn’t buy any of their necklaces

Liberty cat wasn't recognised with his clever disguise

The Indian Cricket team supporters were angry with controversial LBW decisions against Tendulkar

The streets here are clean, and almost remind you of some parts of Europe. The cafes and restaurants serve tasty food, and stupidly cheap prices, much unlike Europe, and everyone comes out to play each night, with Saturday being the biggest night of all. The police like hanging about too, not to ensure law and order, but to see what freebies they can score off others. A roadblock had been set up last night, and trucks and bikes were only allowed to pass once the cops had been through their contents. Goodies such as bottles of cool drink and umbrellas will make great gifts for the kids back home.

The vibe is always relaxed and polite here, with dancing around the bandstand plaza, games of chess in the park, and beggars saying “No worries at all” when you didn’t give them any money. It’s a perfect place to wander around aimlessly all day long and stop for the odd beer and taco. And Mexican wine! So so underrated. We visited a wine bar last night, only common here since a few years ago, and sampled some amazing reds. With each glass you also get an appetiser, and by the end of the night, we had eaten quite our share of starters, so much so that we didn't eat dinner. That may explain how much we had to drink. After nearly three bottles of wine and guts full of food, we walked, or possibly stumbled, out into the night only $20 lighter. 

The bananas were made to pay for pushing the green apples aside

Jesus went through an angry Goth stage where he modelled himself on Marilyn Manson and hung out near the post office.

Next stop is Oaxaca, the centre of Mexico, and in many peoples opinion, the real Mexico. An overnight 12 hour bus ride, should be quite a bit of fun indeed. Although travelling in a wheelbarrow with a flat tyre will be more pleasant that the journey down from Guatemala, squashed in the old school coaster with dozens of others, including, but not limited to, a troupe of circus hippies, unicycles and all.
 Of course, we will keep you updated on our travels as well as the pending election results live from San Cristobal. Hopefully Laurie Oakes will be commentating on the coverage.

The female protestor gladly posed for photos before she did away with the red shirt supporter