Last week, I arrived home from Germany late Tuesday night, and when I awoke the next morning, I found out that a long-shot opportunity to go to Veracruz, previously thought dead and complicated by matters of booking, would be available to me should I choose to accept it. The only catch was that it was 11:45 a.m., and the flight left at 2:30 p.m. It was, without question, the first fork in the road. Sitting at my computer, looking at the pile of papers on my desk and my suitcase on the floor still not emptied from the trip to Frankfurt, I put my hand through my hair and stared at the clock.

It seems that no matter what the lengths of getting somewhere turn out to be, it always ends up being worth it in the end when it comes to travel. No matter how tired I am, no matter how much I initially think twice about it, getting up and digging deep and pushing myself to keep going ends up being the correct decision – the only decision. And I certainly earned this one.

Out of the bag came the dirty clothes from Germany and in went my typical Mexican attire: A couple T-shirts, a bathing suit, and one “nice” outfit in case something came up. I was out the door by noon, my pack on my back and the rolling bag in tow. I had no ride to the airport due to the late notice, so I decided to make the two-mile walk to the nearest bus stop to preserve my budget-travel status – a cab is simply out of the question when it comes to getting to the airport from downtown Denver because of the cost ($60 one way) and I prefer not to park in the lots because of similar mark ups in price.

I was able to maintain a good pace and make it with time to spare for the 12:30 bus, which got me to the airport around 1:30. I arrived in Veracruz around eleven that night, and what followed was four days of adventure, including white-water rafting and a beautiful trip to the sand dunes of Chachalacas. I am at my desk for the next few days – working on that stack of papers that still sits on my desk – but I look forward to sharing this undiscovered, emerging Mexican destination with you over the next few posts.

For now, here are a few preview pics: