Tuxpan
Northern Veracruz is a land wrapped in heat and heavy vegetation, winding rivers, exuberant foliage and tropical fruit trees – bananas, papayas, mangos, avocados and plantain – all rising from a bed of ravenous grass and wildly twisting creepers.
In an obscure corner of an obscure state I find myself in the city of Tuxpan – a regional population centre and relatively unknown destination that’s completely off the tourist radar.
Clinging to the banks of wide slow river, this fishing town and minor oil port possesses a friendly, provincial charm. The eyes are still innocent, the smiles are still warm, and there’s courtesy towards strangers.
But beyond this, there’s little to actually recommend it, save an interesting and mildly dilapidated church, and a scattering of minor sites in the surrounding countryside.
I check a handful of hotels and restaurants and head to the bus station to get my ticket south. As we cross over a long low bridge out of town, I see a giant rusted ship moored to the bank of the river. Every inch of it is consumed – the hull, bow, the stern – starboard and port. Machines have tumbled into pieces on the deck, useless cogs and springs scattered wildly.
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Mexico, Veracruz State