Day 20,21 & 22 - Mexico

Greeting from Tapachula on the Mexcio/Guatemala border

Lots and lots of driving and being stuck in traffic jams – one lasted over 4 hours!

Today started with another jam out of San Cristobal but did make a good story – apparently the locals are not happy with the government and the toll roads (surprise!?) as the locals cannot afford the toll roads and do not even indirectly benefit. So they decided to set up their own toll by blocking the road with a rope and anyone who wanted to cross had to pay 20 peso (very reasonable!) and that was my toll payment for the day! Cheapest day of driving so far in Mexico!

My first full day of no toll roads and the road was pretty good – better than some of the so called toll roads – but narrow and very challenging to drive as it meandered through the mountains, through small villages – the road was barely wide enough for the Pathfinder!

Had all the challenges of hard mountain driving – rock slides, mud slides, thousands of meters straight drop off the edge of the road ( no guard rail) At one point I had to use 4X4 while driving through a mud slide – the mud was wet and still sliding! J

Have not done this kind of driving since my army days

But, the real danger on the drive are the never ending speed breakers (more like car breakers) called ‘Topes’ they are rarely marked and if you hit one at any speed other then dead slow – well let’s say the experience will make a believer out of you!

Moreover, I got to see a side of Mexico most tourists rarely see – and I am glad I did!

In one of my walks through town looking for a bank/ATM I came across a store selling jeans for women – now in Mexico or any other country south the posterior of the female mannequin is more pronounced compared to what we see! Now in most window dressings the mannequins face out – this store had them facing in! Isn't hindsight a beautiful thing! J

I have reached my final destination in Mexico – will spend the weekend here (Tapachula) doing some paper work, recharging - as very tired from all the driving and of course planning my route into Guatemala!