We left the land of waterslides and flashlight toting mexican monsters, breaking camp and hitting the road near noon. Our challenge for the day was to visit the Monarch Butterfly reserve. Unsure of our route, we meandered our way across the countryside. We found ourselves climbing the mountain up a Tope filled road (Tope's are speed bumps. Mexican roads have them everywhere, randomly placed exactly where you wouldn't expect them). Near 10,000 feet we met the Welcome Toll Booth. It was at the entrance to El Rosario, the town that hosts the entrance to the Butterfly reserve.
The Welcome toll booth was very charismatic, it was a small hut with 10 people in it sitting around waiting for someone to show up. If someone shows up (like we did) an orchestra of activity gets set into motion. A couple people pull a rope taunt to block the entrance, with a sign attached to it declaring 'ALTO' (stop). A local approaches and greets us, welcoming us. Another local aproaches holding a book of tickets. Oh, we need to pay? Quatro pesos to welcome us? Fair enough. There was a crowd around the Welcome toll booth, I think this was a significant meeting area for the town.
Although, this time they were saluting me, not climbing into the window. I don't remember what they were saying, but they were pointing at their eyes then at the Donkey, and saying something. Eventually we decided that they were offering to watch our car. It's doubtfull we could obtain better security in the parking lot than these 8 yo boys, so we accepted. Surely all our worldy belongings would be safe while being guarded by this 8yo mexican kid for 3 pesos. We headed up the hill confidant in the security of our belongings.
Before we left, they offered to wash our car while we were gone. Although I was willing to trust all my belongings to 3 pesos of 8yo security, washing my vehicle was pushing it. I declined the carwash.
Cara doing her duty of finding and aquairing food.
We hiked up the hill to the butterfly preserve and wondered at them. 'Why are you here?' we wondered. 'How did you find this place?' we wondered. 'Are you really tired from flapping your wings so long?' we wondered. We took some pictures and had a much easier walk down to the vehicles.
Butterflies on trees. Theres alot.
It was dark by the time we made it back to the highway, it seems we're gonna break the driving at night rule again.
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