Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
When we finished the zoo tour, Roberto drove me to a number of lookouts over Sumidero
Canyon. The vertical drops, sheer walls, and narrow canyon were the result of a rift in the
earth's surface. I peered down, over 1000 feet from top of the cliff to the river below. A
restaurant with an incredible view was perched on the highest overlook.
From the heights, we retraced part of the road and headed for the depths of the canyon.
Robert took me to a river launch boat company and said he'd wait the two hours while
I took a fifteen-mile ride between the narrow canyon walls to the hydroelectric dam that
filled the canyon and made boating possible.
I joined an international group, two Germans, two Finns, two Spaniards, one Swede, one
Mexican and me. The Swedish man and the Mexican woman were newlyweds. Both were
close to forty. I asked, “How did you meet?"
The woman said, "Over the Internet. My husband is the second best psychic in Sweden."
Course I wondered who was the best psychic, but I did not ask. They claimed they were
soul mates and lovers in a past life and were experiencing the joy and happiness of a
second life together. They gave credit to Internet technology, but disagreed about how
long they had emailed one another until they met in person.
Our helmsman revved the outboard motor, and we raced between the canyon walls.
He slowed, circled and pointed out crocodiles. Then we neared a rookery of black vul-
tures; hundreds of them had taken up squatters' rights on the white limestone riverbank.
They paid us no attention. White on black was an eerie picture.
We cruised toward the hydroelectric dam. We stopped to view natural features, a cave, and
an outcropping looking like the face of a crucified Christ. A natural spring trickled down
the canyon wall and watered a large moss growth that stood out on the wall looking like a
multistory Christmas tree.
Near the dam, two flocks of birds circled and dived for food. There were so many birds
that the scene appeared prehistoric. The roar of the outboard motor drove them off. Our
guide stopped the launch, explained the history of the dam and mentioned that it is the
largest producer of electricity in Mexico.
