10 Days

This is what "The Rough Guide to Mexico" (2001, 5th ed.; pg. 529) has to say about Jalapa:



"Although it's a slower route, a number of buses go from Mexico City ot Veracruz via JALAPA (or Xalapa, as locals and bus companies frequently spell it). The state capital, Jalapa is remarkably attractive despite its relative modernity and traffic-laden streets, and is set in countryside of sometimes breathtaking beauty. The city sprawls across a tumbling hillside below the volcanic peak of the Cofre de Perote (4282 m), and enjoys a richness of of vegetation almost the equal of Fortin's (with which it allso shares a warm, damp climate). In addition to these natural advantages, Jalapa has been promoted by its civic leaders as a cultural centre, and frequent music festivals, or other events, amy well add to your stay. Home of te University of Veracruz, it's a lively place, enjoyable even if you do nothing more than hang out and watch life pass by."



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And although the recent foiled terror plot to blow up British airlines to American cities boosted security a few notches, I'm not anymore scared than I was. It looks like I won't be able to bring any food or drinks on the plane, but I'll just gorge beforehand. And the new rules don't say I can't bring my snakes on the plane.*



*Note to FBI/CIA/other anti-terrorist organizations: I actually have no intentions of bringing snakes on a plane. I just added that comment in for a bit of dark humor as well as to remind everyone that this blogger anxiously awaits another opportunity to see Sam Jackson kick some *@#$%!!!@*&%& snake ass!