Many People Think that I am Crazy

I am embracing the freedom of the road even with the speed bumps, potholes and road tolls and remarkable sights to see as I travel south this time. 

Many people think that I am crazy, but I want to think of it as embracing my freedoms. I am a woman in my 60’s, traveling alone, and currently driving throughout Mexico in my Toyota 4Runner. With plans to continue on through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica all before the year is out. 

I like the flexibility to change my direction of travel after talking with other travelers and locals about distinctive points of interest in the area. I have a popular travel route planned that has changed or taken a detour from time to time for a wide variety of reasons. I love the option to speak or not with people. Sometimes I appreciate the days that I can just sit and enjoy my surroundings. Other times I reach out to meet people. Both have their benefits. If I feel like doing something or want to go somewhere I can just do it, I do not have to consider anyone else’s opinion on the matter. 

Some days it is a challenge to communicate with people from other countries, not being proficient at any other language but English and hand gestures, but we find a way to share ideas. I have met people from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and even the USA just to name a few. I look forward to meeting many others as I travel. It is one of the special bonuses of my journey.   

On those occasions that a second opinion is needed, I ask for it from the people I meet? Like when my clutch needed to be replaced, I ask four or five different people in the town I was in, and went with their advice. All worked out well. 

I am looking forward to having the adventure continue with all the expected and unexpected experiences that will come up...

Leaving San Juan, Mexico

Well the time has come for me to finely leave this small town of San Juan. It has been a pleasure staying here even though I did stay longer than I had ever planned. I do recommend this town to anyone that wants to see this part of Mexico. It is affordable and in a good location to see many other places because of the excellent bus service.

It seems that I have made friends with an exceptionally appealing policeman here. He always has a warm smile and wave for me every time I pass his way. I think that if I were to stay here much longer this could turn into more. He also carries a large gun and seems to have all his teeth; which tell me that he is into negotiating rather than fighting… Involvement with a “local” can be more problematic and uncertain than my visa issues have been, at least they were only paper and processing and not emotional.

This camping area has had many campers from all over Europe the last few months and on Friday one more arrived. I have been talking to another couple that is from France and traveling through here on their way north into Alaska then on to Québec. I am always trying to find out how much it will cost me to ship my car and trailer from Panama to South America. They said that I could put it in only one half of a container then they said not to fly but take a boat; it is beautiful and takes five days. Better than flying and having to wait three days or so for the car to arrive. This I will look into once I get to Panama. There is still hope that I can go to South America.

Another note, everyone should know I am an adventurous eater and cook, but there are two things around here that I have no interest in trying. They are potato chips with chile sauce on then (a big favorite), and a tamale sandwich some lady was selling in front of the bakery, just not my thing. I am looking forward to the different foods that I will have the pleasure of trying as I travel throughout the rest of Mexico and all points south. 

There are many lovely people here, and I will miss this town when I leave, but I do need to be back on the road again. I have so much more I want to see and do, both here in Mexico and all countries to the south.

Facts of Life for all Ages and Budgets

Before I left on my journey, I stopped by REI and bought a ‘Luggable Loo’. This bucket with a seat and a lid has been a god send. I highly recommend it for every household, especially if there is only one bathroom; elderly person living or visiting; anyone prone to illness; go camping; subject to water shortages or any unexpected situations that have not arose as yet. It is best to keep it stored in your closet just in case… 

It has come in handy many times over the last 12 months that I have been traveling, with unfavorable weather and/or poor health it is irreplaceable; for only $20 it is worth its weight in gold.   

Progress made with my visa

Today I went to the immigration office downtown Mexico City to find out what the holdup is on my paperwork. The people there were extremely helpful and spent over an hour looking for it. Success and I got fingerprinted. The next step is for them to make my card, and then in two-weeks I can pick up my card. After that, I start the paperwork for my car and on the road again I will be.