Mexico: The Good, The Bad & The Unexpected

Rain, rain, and more rain. That’s all I’ve seen the past few days as tropical depression Matthew sputters across southern Mexico and Guatemala. Tired of being rained on has me sticking indoors to cafe’s, bagel shops (yep, they have those here), and my room. On the positive side it gave me the time to revamp the blog to a template that is cleaner looking and infinitely easier to modify. It’s also given me time to think about what I’ve found to be the good, the bad and the unexpected in Mexico over the past 5 weeks. So, before I cross the border tomorrow here’s my list.

The Good

1. Oaxaca: Beach, Mountains, Amazing Scenery, Food. There is nothing not to like in this state.
2. Food: Taco’s, Quesadilla’s, Mole. No need to say more.
3. Bus System: If you want to go somewhere there is a bus that will take you there.
4. The wide variety in weather, landscape, and local dress from region to region.

From Mexico Pacific Coast 2010-08 Beach, mountains and beautiful scenery. An example of what Mexico has to offer.

The Bad

1. Platic bottles and trash always seem to inevitably find their way into rivers or onto beaches.
2. Grafitti: Lots of it.
3. Not knowing enough Spanish. No fault of Mexico but my own. At times this really hindered me from really getting to do what I wanted or talk with locals. Fixing this problem now.

From Mexico Pacific Coast 2010-09 Trash lining the beach of Playa Linda. Not on all beaches but not uncommon either.

The Unexpected

1. So many sub 4 ft grown adults. Especially in Chiapas
2. Grillz: Lots of them. For legitimate purposes
3. Topes (i.e. speed bumps): In an attempt to have people drive slower they put speed bumps on all of their roads. It really doesn’t work. People just drive fast and then slam on their brakes.
4. Seat belts: Most carsbusesvans don’t have them. If they do no one wears them.

From Monte Alban & Hierva El Agua 2010-09 Seems like the average height in some areas was about 4ft. You could say I stick out.

Word of Advice
Ditch the all-inclusive resorts. Get out of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco and see what Mexico really has to offer. Stop listening to the news about how unsafe Mexico is because it’s a bunch of crap. Instead of the resorts get to Oaxaca. The state has everything.

From Mexico Pacific Coast 2010-08 Acapulco.  Don’t go here!  Mexico has much more to offer than areas like this.