Latin America Overland (Jan-Mar 2003)

Mexico City

photolog (10): [ view]

The 14 hour bus ride from Palenque to Mexico City was comfortable over first rate roads.

At about 11pm we were traveling through a medium sized city. Two boys, not very well kept, one about 8 and the other about 6 hopped in front of the bus while it was stopped at a light. The 6 year old jumped on the shoulders of the 8 year old and started juggling oranges! He then jumped off the shoulders of the 8 year old and ran to the side of the bus to ask for pesos from the driver.

The dichotomy  that my mind pondered the rest of the ride was whether to give money to kids like this either because they were enterprising, or just because they needed some and we had it, or say no to them because giving the money provides a disincentive for staying in school or learning more useful skills.   Pondering alternatives to that dichotomy play in my mind every time I see homeless or street children in these developing countries. This was just one specific time.

Mexico City was a welcome change from small towns, villages and ancient cities. I was very ready for museums, art galleries, cathedrals and official government buildings.

Mexico City, the most heavily populated city on the planet  had quite a buffet to sample.

Tidbits-

Currency in Mexico is called Pesos. There was a conversion rate of about 10 to 1 when we were visiting. Metro tickets to anywhere in Mexico City cost 2 pesos or about $.20. Our private hostel room was 250pesos or the equivalent of $25US.

Mexico City

photolog (10): [ view]

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