Slept for a couple hours on the bus, but I was too uncomfortable to do more than rest.  


It rained for a couple hours just before getting into Lázaro Cárdenas. The bus ride was about 8 1/2 hours. I expected it to be closer to 12 hours. The bus pulled into this small depot, turned on minimal lighting, and only a few people got off. I grabbed my stuff, looked around to see if I was leaving anything behind, got off, two minutes later the bus was gone; it’s final destination was Acapulco.  


I was getting my stuff altogether and strapping on my backpack when I noticed my camera missing. I had set it on the floor next to my pack; it was kind of dark in the bus when I double checked my seat; maybe it had slid under the seat in front of me. Told the clerk at the desk; she called someone at the next stop an hour and a half away. When the bus got there, they found it, then put it on the next bus coming back. Altogether it was about 5 hours in that bus station. I kept falling asleep, but had to stay awake as they don’t allow sleeping in there.  


Still, it’s only 8:45am. Grabbed a combi (minivan) to Playa Azul: 14 mi for $1.10. Walked around for about 45 min, the length of the central part of the beach, found one hotel ($40) and a mess of restaurants (most seemed closed). Went up a block. Told myself I’d stop at the next decent looking place. Found one a block later: asking $27, got it for $24. Clean and bright room; wifi only in lobby area; a/c, hot water in shower, not in sink; cable tv; pegs for hanging clothes.  

 





 
Took a shower, walked the beach: places are a little shabby; sand is hard mostly, almost like clay. 







 

 
















 
             Rough surf, churns up a lot of sand.  





 
Went back to my room. Took another shower and a nap.  

 
 
Okay, so now it’s dinner time. I went looking for a place to eat. After going by several places, none of them doing any business, I went back to this place.  



 
 
 


 
The old lady running the place kept trying to push the higher priced entrees on me. I ordered what turned out to be a shrimp soup. It was tasty, but overpriced, and the shrimp were cooked in the soup with the peel on! In order to peel them without burning my fingers, I had to spoon one out and let it cool some first. She also didn’t have the beer I wanted, even though it was on the menu.  


 

Saw a lavanderia (whashateria) caddy corner from me. Brought my stuff over to be ready by 10am.  


Hazy, cloudy sunset. No internet. Watched a movie on my laptop. Went to bed.  



(completed Nov 17)