Road trip with a toddler

I am crouching on the floor by the bed, swigging JD and coke in a can, waiting for Maya to fall asleep so I can sneak onto the balcony with Gustavo. This is how travelling with a toddler works. Taking your opportunities as you find them. Suddenly all is quiet and I peep over the cot to a sprawled out toddler. I slowly open the door to the tiny balcony and am hit by a warm blast of tropical Veracruz air and the sound of a marimba-off in the square below.

Our hotel takes 'faded grandeur' to a whole new level and I'm not convinced that the balcony is structurally sound. More whisky and I forget about this as Gustavo and I unravel the multiple stories taking place below us:

Two double bases rest against tall, thick palm trees
A transvestite in high white heels, gorgeous long legs and hair to match, walks away down a cobbled street
The next street along a group of tourists find a bar
Hidden among the trees lovers kiss while birds compete with the musicians
Three calypso musicians in identical red and gold embroidered shirts relax on a bench looking in different directions
A red bus with 'Veracruz' spelt out in neon lights saunters by, closely followed by a policy trck with officers blaclavas and machine guns
On the corner a drive-by marriachi birthday cerenade is taking place, the car window rolled down and a man casually leaning out to hear the music
A drummer rests his ipad on his instument
A pregnant woman in pink leans against her stall overflowing with embroidered clothes and trinkets
A drunk meanders around the square dancing to each musician he stumbles across
A bright red motorbike leans against a whilte marble clocktower
A sudden flurry as a group of children chase a red ball between the evening strollers
A tabacco vendor walks along with his box of cigarettes on his head

We discover later that the Hotel Imperial where we are staying is the oldest functioning (only just) hotel in the Americas. Veracruz a humid, tropical and vibrant stop off. We are on a road trip in search of textiles for my new business. Next stop Chiapas.