solo 3200 miles through Mexico and US southwest

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by miguelito

Pancho Villa....was the first General in the Mexican revolution, and became governor of Chihuahua. He lived and was assassinated in the town I'm in right now. I met one of his followers here, who at first told me he didn’t care for gringos,

but we ended a remarkable cross-cultural evening claiming each other as brothers.

This was the common thread which bound most of my adventures on this trip through Mexico; a desire on both the Mexicans and my part to understand each other, (sometimes literally),

and a consequent friendliness that I couldn’t have predicted prior to making my journey.

These remarks reflect the true "Treasure of the Sierra Madre", and treasure you have found. Your friendships, and now relationships, with historic/scenic discoveries in México as icing on the cake, are vastly more valuable than any material posession a man can have.

While your photographs and trip itinerary are excellent, it is your thoughtful telling of the importance of establishing a bond between cultures I find most striking and poignant. You were an ambassador not only for yourself, but others who travel behind you.

Motorcycle trips can be a voyage of discovery, and as far as treasure goes, you hit the mother lode.

Bob

[miguelito]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

These remarks reflect the true "Treasure of the Sierra Madre", and treasure you have found. Your friendships, and now relationships, with historic/scenic discoveries in México as icing on the cake, are vastly more valuable than any material posession a man can have.

While your photographs and trip itinerary are excellent, it is your thoughtful telling of the importance of establishing a bond between cultures I find most striking and poignant. You were an ambassador not only for yourself, but others who travel behind you.

Motorcycle trips can be a voyage of discovery, and as far as treasure goes, you hit the mother lode.

Bob

Thanks for 'getting' that trice. This was really the reason I went to Mexico in the first place. The scenery, and history , and yes, even the motorcycling were all just a bonus to me. Having spent the amount of time there by myself that I did, with never a feeling of loneliness, is a testament to one of the friendliest and open cultures I know on the planet. For anyone contemplating a similar journey abroad, my only two bits of advice, (outside of technical/planning tedium, that is), would be to:
A. Learn at least the basics of the language, (please, thank you, I don't understand, Could you repeat that?, How much does it cost?, Where is the bathroom?, and last, but not least, Can you bring me another beer?).
B. Be open to sharing your story with people who at first blush, you may feel you have little in common with. So many of the positive exchanges I had on this trip were a direct result of placing myself in situations that the stereotypical gringo would avoid. Many mid-day breaks I recall choosing to get a beverage from the abarroterias on the side streets, with the bench of companeros sitting side by side outside. Those little, but rich exchanges, that occurred between a 'rich' gringo on a motorcycle and a less affluent group of Mexicanos, helped color my journey with an affection for the people and country, which I think would have been missing from a trip confined to 4 star hotels and restaurants.

[Eduardo]

Hola Amigo, I just checked out your trip report and photos.....thanks for the views of a part of Mexico I haven´t seen. Some of the street shots reminded me of a few towns in Bolivia, with the pastel colors and narrow roads. Thx, Saludos, Eduardo

[Rockin Rollin]

Great report Mike. Lots I can relate to there both in your pictures & dialog.
It was a pleasure to meet you in San Miguel de Allende& share a passion for motorcycling & Mexico.
Cheers

[miguelito]

Originally Posted by Eduardo

Hola Amigo, I just checked out your trip report and photos.....thanks for the views of a part of Mexico I haven´t seen. Some of the street shots reminded me of a few towns in Bolivia, with the pastel colors and narrow roads. Thx, Saludos, Eduardo

Hola Eduardo! How are you? Still making the annual pilgrimage to Guatemala? Or did that stick-up on that back road temper your enthusiasm? Let me know if you're ever coming thru central Mexico!

Originally Posted by Rockin Rollin

Great report Mike. Lots I can relate to there both in your pictures & dialog.
It was a pleasure to meet you in San Miguel de Allende& share a passion for motorcycling & Mexico.
Cheers

The pleasure was mine Roland. Ride on!