lostCANADIAN in Mexico

Speeding down the highway to Mexico City, the barren surrounding country blurred as we raced for our destination. We learned another valuable lesson this day as we approached Mexico city, we again decided against taking a toll road and wandered off onto a free highway which we believed would lead us into the city....

We got lost wandering the small highway through villages full of police that made us very nervous as they starred at us as we passed by, everytime we wondered if this would be it, would we be taxed? Trucks led traffic through the small hills and valleys as we attempted to pass them without getting hit by oncoming traffic, as the sun slowly lowered in the sky and we got more and more nervous. We looked for highways that should have been there, but weren't as we got lost wandering through twisties in corn fields where we couldn't see a few feet ahead until we ended up in a small town full of suspicious people. A helpful taxi driver pointed us in a direction to continue going south until we reached Toluca, where we would have to pay for a toll road anyway. The toll cost us two dollars each and we sped our way down this highway until finally we reached Mexico City, loosing three hours in the process when we could have easily paid for the first toll and been lounging in the city already and still ending up paying a toll. We were hit by a thunderstorm as well that left us soaking wet in seconds before we had a chance to pull over and put on the rain gear. Fortunately we weren't stuck in the rain too long, but we were constantly reminded that it was nearing while thunder and lightning wreaked the earth with their havoc not far behind.

Into the city we hit another toll that cost us eight dollars each, leading us down this beautiful highway, giving us a beautiful view of the city as we sped down a road that led through one of the richest parts of the city... at all street corners were several police officers, every house had a huge gate protected by body guards.... Bienvenido a Mexico!

We passed by beautiful statues and huge houses and were awed... These people were incredibly rich!!! We were so used to such poverity. The rain began again and we were left wandering confusing streets for another hour as suicidal taxis and smaller motorcycles blew by us and police officers blew their whistles directing traffic in every which way. Our first impression of this city was that it was HUGE!

After wandering for what felt like hours, we finally found our destination, a beautiful appartment complex behind a locked door and guarded by security twenty-four seven. This was Alfonso's place, the brother of my brother's girlfriend Liz! Unforunately he wasn't at home yet, but we were able to atleast change out of our wet clothes and head across the street for pizza and some beers.

Alfonso finally showed up and took us into his appartment where we immediately made ourselves at home with his generiousity and kindness. A few beers later, we were ready to collapse and so we did...