Well, here is one reason why I do not even think about getting a car when I travel to Mexico.
It is always a thrilling ride from the Mexico City airport to any where out of town.
Since street signs are rare, traffic lanes are clearly ignored, I can never tell who has the right of way, people drive backwards on one way streets in front of the police and the law would throw me in jail if I slightly bumped anyone’s car.
I don’t even think about driving here.
Fortunately the bus’es are actually pretty great. TV, movies, air conditioned so it is way more relaxing to take them and leave the traffic to the professionals. You know the cable cars in San Francisco, and the ringing of the bells which has been elevated to an art form, well the bus drivers have all mastered the “Art of the Horn” here. I have yet to be able to discern the different air horn blasts, whether is it a “get out of my way scum”, from a “Man you are one nice looking woman in front of us”, from a “thanks for letting me cut in front of you”, from a “watch out I am cutting across three lanes RIGHT NOW!”, from anything. This trip I rode with “Mr. Horn” who was a master of the craft. Amazing. Just about gave me a headache, inside the bus.
So where did the bus end up? Why Toluca Mexico, where else?
“Nestled 8,790 feet (2,679 meters) above sea level, Toluca has earned the name “The Altitude Capital” of Mexico. Well connected to the heartland, it is a provincial town updated by industrial progress. Businesses such as Nestle, Dupont and General Motors maintain offices here providing many job and internship opportunities.”
Note the 8,790 feet, much higher than Denver CO. The first day at this altitude is sort of miserable, at least for me it is. I walked up a flight of stairs and felt like I ran… 50 feet. (Okay I admit I am not in marathon trim.) It does leave you gasping though, even at night.
Gosh, other than all this, it has been a heck of a fun trip!
I can hardly wait for the trip back tomorrow!
Until the last horn is tooted,
George