Wrap-up for Mexico Trip

First, more on the saga of the motorcycle record at the border that almost kept me from entering Mexico at Agua Prieta, at the beginning of our journey.  Then a few statistics and observations.

Having arrived home, I wanted to correct the record in the Mexican Customs computer which shows my ST1100 motorcycle going into Mexico last year, but not coming out, so I went down to the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque.

I told my story to the Mexican Consulate desk man, about the missing entry in the computer.  He said they hear this story of Customs computer entry problems quite often, but really couldn't do anything about it.  He threw up his hands, shrugged, and said "That's another Department", and then said something to the effect of "We don't talk to them and they don't talk to us".

So what was his suggestion to correct it?  He said I should take my Title and ride my motorcycle to the nearest Mexican border crossing, Juarez, and show the Customs people the motorcycle that matches the Title and that it still resides in the USA.  That's a 600 mile round trip to correct their error? - I don't think so!!  The only options I see are that if I go into Mexico again, I either take that motorcycle or a bill of sale if I have sold it.  I'll  face that sometime later when I want to go there again.

Some Statistics for the Trip

Total Trip Miles Ridden - 4850,   Miles Ridden in Mexico - 3,600,   Rode in 15 of 32 Mexican States

Cost of Gas - After converting Liters to Gallons and Pesos to US Dollars, gas cost $2.32 U.S. per Gallon (in May 2002) - Interesting that this price was Nationwide - or at least it was the same at every gas station where we filled up in the 3,600 miles and 15 States we traveled in Mexico.  Apparently with all of the gas production and gas stations being owned by the Mexican federal government, they choose to stabilize the price by making it the same everywhere.

For gas mileage for the overall trip, I got 44.5 miles per gallon with my Honda Gold Wing GL1800.  With Alex's Honda Gold Wing GL1500, he got about 35 miles per gallon.  (Usually the GL1500 will get close to 40 mpg, but his didn't.)

Now for Frequently Asked Questions, and some Observations

Did we get Sick?  Yes and No – I had a queasy stomach 1 day, Alex for 2-3 days (He wasn't as careful as I about not drinking local water.) – Did not affect our ability to ride though.

How was the food? – Good to Excellent – Everything we can get here – Small Restaurants, Food Stands, Restaurants in Hotels were all good.  Our general feeling, after several days, was that you could eat anything that was cooked, and in un-cooked vegetables and fruits, anything that was peeled.

How were the Mexican people? - Very friendly, helpful, generous of time and information. – Can’t say enough good things about the Mexican people. – Very interested in motorcycles and us – they came and asked questions whenever we stopped. – Most asked question? – What does one of those motorcycles cost? - New - $18,000 U.S. or $170,000 Pesos.

Did we have any trouble with Mexican Police – No – They were helpful with accident and motorcycle troubles.

Was there any security for Motorcycles? – Yes – All hotels that we stayed in had interior parking and/or fences and large iron gates. – Never had to park on the street or in open parking lots. - We never felt insecure about the Motorcycles.

How were Mexican Roads? - As a percent of miles traveled, I would give the following estimate – 10% Excellent – 25% Good to Very Good - 60% Fair to Poor - 5% Terrible  – We rode in 15 of 32 Mexico States, and 3,600 miles.

How were signs on Mexican roads? - There are not many signs, and those you find usually show only the name of towns coming up, not any distances to those towns.  Signs were the worst in the northwest part of the country, somewhat better in the middle of the country, and best in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico.

How did Mexican Hotel costs compare with US? – Interestingly, they were not cheaper, for good quality rooms. – Maybe more expensive for newer high class hotels. – Hotels are downtown – takes an hour to find them, and an hour to get out of town next morning.

Do you need to know Spanish? - Yes, if you are anywhere but the Americanized resort towns. - Most importantly, You NEED TO KNOW SPANISH TO GET DIRECTIONS!  Most Mexican people do not speak English, and they speak very rapid Spanish.  Their directions are poor, because in most of the towns and cities they don't know the names of the streets, and they don't know the numbers of Highways leading into or out of town.  You have to ask, then follow their directions for a ways, then ask again and go some more, ask again, go some more .......

How good or bad are Mexican Drivers? – Technically they are good and seem quite skillful, but they are Very Impatient in the big cities.  Its as if every little hole in traffic has to be filled, as if it were a vacuum.  However, they are not aggressive, just fast and impatient.

Well, that's some observations - Hope you enjoyed the trip commentaries.  I welcome your comments.

Deane Crawforth - Dcrawforth@aol.com

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