Mexico

Mexico was my first, and perfect introduction to Latin America. We crossed before dawn from El Paso, Texas to Juarez. Once inside the Immigration Office we managed to get the cleaning lady to wake the official to stamp us through. I couldn't help but notice that where most buildings might have a fire alarm and extinguishers this foyer had a large cabinet containing huge axes and some helmets. Clearly, in this male-dominated society if there was a fire it would need to be fought head-on!

Mexico has some wonderful scenery. My favourite moments include driving through a massive lightning storm near Chihuahua with huge, rolling, black and purple clouds ripped with huge bolts striking pink and white. All this set to desert, cacti, cowboys, and tiny settlements as far as the eye can see.

My other favourite ride was the road between Puebla and Oaxaca. Around half way there is a huge gorge dropping shear from one side of the road. On the desert around there is, what I can only describe as a cacti forest which changes variety regularly and for no apparent reason. Some are single-trunked and meters tall, others like huge prickly boulders, others like elaborate candelabra. It was stunning.