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Jan. 5th, 2003 12:59 amMy theory is that Mexico is like Egypt, only a lot closer.
They're at about the same latitude. Both are developing nations with sprawling capitals. Both have pyramids. And I feel unsafe in both of them.
In Egypt I felt I could trust the police but not the people. My impression about Mexico -- from people's stories, not my own experience -- is that I can trust the people but not the police. Everyone I know who has been to Mexico has some nasty story about having to bribe the police to avoid being sent to jail. I suspect that most of these stories are grossly exaggerated.
Nonetheless I am fearful of Mexico. On the other hand, I figure it must be comparable to Egypt (certainly not more dangerous?), and I survived (and enjoyed) Egypt, therefore it stands to reason that Mexico is a positive adventure waiting to happen. Ergo, a trip to Mexico becomes mandatory.
I just discovered Copper Canyon. Whoah! Why did I not know about this before? How to get there: drive to El Paso (790 miles) and then turn right. Now drive South for about 300 miles. Hm, doesn't sound like it will fit into 4 days.
I think it's kind of `funny' that people are so blind to the geography on the other side of political borders. On most of the maps I saw in Israel the terrain on the other side of the Jordan River was simply blank, while on the Israeli side it's unbelievably dense with roads and settlements and splotches of green indicating national parks. It's not so egregious with us and Mexico -- my AAA map of the US shows the roads and parks in Mexico -- but, still, my mental map goes totally blank when considering that country.
They're at about the same latitude. Both are developing nations with sprawling capitals. Both have pyramids. And I feel unsafe in both of them.
In Egypt I felt I could trust the police but not the people. My impression about Mexico -- from people's stories, not my own experience -- is that I can trust the people but not the police. Everyone I know who has been to Mexico has some nasty story about having to bribe the police to avoid being sent to jail. I suspect that most of these stories are grossly exaggerated.
Nonetheless I am fearful of Mexico. On the other hand, I figure it must be comparable to Egypt (certainly not more dangerous?), and I survived (and enjoyed) Egypt, therefore it stands to reason that Mexico is a positive adventure waiting to happen. Ergo, a trip to Mexico becomes mandatory.
I just discovered Copper Canyon. Whoah! Why did I not know about this before? How to get there: drive to El Paso (790 miles) and then turn right. Now drive South for about 300 miles. Hm, doesn't sound like it will fit into 4 days.
I think it's kind of `funny' that people are so blind to the geography on the other side of political borders. On most of the maps I saw in Israel the terrain on the other side of the Jordan River was simply blank, while on the Israeli side it's unbelievably dense with roads and settlements and splotches of green indicating national parks. It's not so egregious with us and Mexico -- my AAA map of the US shows the roads and parks in Mexico -- but, still, my mental map goes totally blank when considering that country.
