ON THE DRIVE down the interstate, I notice that the sky is full of clouds and the sunglow is now a brilliant crimson highlighting all of the cloud edges. I drive right up to the toll booth, pay three dollars and head across the river bridge.

After crossing the river, I am in Nuevo Laredo in the state of (1) Tamalipas. Then, I pull in behind two cars and notice that when the first car gets a green light, it drives on into México. The car just ahead of me also gets a green light and it too drives into México. Now I wait to see if I too receive a green light or the red one which means that I will have to pull into the search area.

It all boils down to this one moment, all of the worry and anticipation that I have been going through for the past several months has now come down to which color of light that some guard decides to switch on. The moment seems to drag on for hours but finally the light turns green. The border guard waves me through, I follow the blue signs to the Permiso De Auto (Auto Permits) building and park. Then, I walk in carring my papers in order to get the import permit for my car.

There are about twenty people ahead of me and while I am in line a friendly Mexican lady says hello and in a motherly way ask me if I have every thing I need. After showing her all my papers, she asks "Do you have a pen?" When I say no and begin to walk out to my car to get one, she say "I have an extra one you can have." I have to pay to have copies made of all of my documents and then walk over to step 4 where I get my permit and pay $362 pesos (about thirty dollars.)

In all, the whole process takes less than an hour and I am heading south on Mexican highway 85 to Monterrey. About ten miles in, I come upon a migration checkpoint. There are fours booths above which a sign reads "Nothing to Declare" and one booth for those who have something to declare. Methinks, this is a no-brainer as I drive up to the "Nothing to Declare" booth and the agent waives me through. Soon, I cross the state line into (2) Nuevo Leon.

Too, methinks about the months of stress and worrying concrning this crossing; a smile comes to my face and I say to myselƒ "That was really easy!"

One thing that I have come to realize is that if I had gone to the Permiso De Auto office on the day when I walked across the bridge, I could have gotten the auto permit then. It is all about having the correct knowledge of what to do.

After passing through a desert of Joshua Trees with a back drop of large mountains, I continue on toward Monterrey and notice numerous more mountains in the distance toward which I am traveling.

Also, I notice that the roadside distance markers are indicating that Monterrey is right in the midst of these mountains ahead. Soon, I begin climbing up into the mountains and arrive in the city before noon.

I do not care one bit for the immensity of this megalopolis, however, what I am impressed with is the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Soon, I find a WiFi hot spot and begin searching the Internet for a Kingdom Hall and finding several here in this mountain valley I begin driving to the locations but can not find a hall. After several failed attempts to locate even one of them, which is primary because of the duplicity of street names in the more than ten connected communities, I am totally frustrated and not sure what I am to do.

So frustrated, that I even think of returning to the US, but instead decide to continue a while longer because I could always check into a motel for the night and try again tomorrow. Methinks, that I need to drive out of this monster of a city into one of the several national parks nearby this valley. Then I say a prayer for help.

Almost immediately after my prayer, I see a sign for "Parque National" and must needs follow the arrows. After some time, I begin to climb up along the side of the mountain adjacent to the city.

It is a long drive up to the Chipinque Ecological Park and then upon arriving at the entrance, the attendant asks, "Do you want to drive to the top?" and after I say yes, he says "$75 pesos."

By this time, I am so disgusted with not being able to find a Kingdom hall that I feel the need to just be on top the mountain to clear my mind of all the accumulated stress. In just a few minutes, I am well above the valley and can see how truly large Monterrey is but also all the natural beauty here is in this mountain range.

As I continue upward, I sense the peace coming back into my inner self, as if all that stress was just falling off me and tumbling back down into the city below me. I take several photos from several viewpoint along the way up to the plateau.

Upon arriving at the upper plateau, (25.607800, -100.355500) which is just about half way up the mountain, I see people everywhere and hear kids playing in the nearby playground. As I walk about in this park in which there are two or three hundred people, I listen for words that I can understand and I think that it is an odd feeling being here in this foreign country. After walking for some time, I see a building that looks like a restaurant and head towards it.

Just as I am about to walk into a building, I see a fair skinned young woman, with light brown hair and near blue eyes walking out towards me and I say "Hello" to her. She immediately smiles and returns the greeting. I ask her if she is from the US and she answers "Michigan."

After a few minutes of conversation, I ask here if she is camping or in a motel. She says that she is in an apartment because she came here as one of Jehovah′s witnesses to help the English congregation.

A huge smile comes across my face and I say "Hello Sister!"

Soon, she is joined by the eleven other witnesses here from the English group and we all walk down to the parking lot together. I find out the next day that the group had held back to allow her to walk out and preach to me. Also, she tells me that she was thinking "Finally, someone to preach to who speaks my language." Once we arrive at the parking lot, it is explained to me that there is a district convention that is being held this weekend and I tell them that is what I am here for.

Also, I relate my story of how frustrated I was after searching all afternoon for a hall and not finding one. Too, I tell them that Jehovah answered my prayers by having the English group meet me here atop this mountain. I say "He knew I would be here and so he made sure to have his witnesses here for me."

Then Brook, the first sister I met, says that almost every single one of the people atop this mountain are witnesses, that this is where many come on this particular day because all the people of the world are home celebrating the holidays. Then one of the brothers asks me if I can transport some down from the mountain in my van to which I agree.

We also go out for supper and when I take Mike to his apartment, he invites me to stay overnight there. I decline the invite for a bed mainly because Mike would have to sleep on the sofa but also because I am comfortable enough in my van. Mike then says that I can still use his hot shower and I readily agree to that one.

After a short visit in the apartment, I retire to my van at just before eight this evening and now begin checking out the people on the street. Senor Hernandez Martinez who lives in the house in front of which I am parked sees me in my car and walks over to check out what is happening. We met earlier when Mike introduced me. When he looks into the window, I roll it down and tell him "Hablo un poco de Español, uhm, muy poco" (I speak a little Spanish, very little) and then using some spanish words I do know, explain that my friends home across the street is crowded and that I am sleeping in my van. He seems satisfied with that and I say to him, "buenas noches" and he returns the greeting.

There have been several people sweeping leaves for burning in a fire pit set along the street. Some bring cardboard and branches from other homes, break them up and add them to the fire. All along, there are kids playing in the streets with their newly unwrapped toys. Down the street, two boys throw lit firecrackers into the street to explode. At about eight-thirty a garbage truck drives slowly by as the neighbors come out with their bags for pickup. Soon, the laughter of the children departs the streets as they go in for the night, but the sound of fireworks exploding throughout the neighborhood continues. Dogs continue barking at the explosions and several people return home late and drive into their parking spaces. At about nine-thirty the street vendors pushing their bicycle carts also return home.

As the smoke slowly rises up past the street light, the flames from the burn pile begins to die down and the few remaining people also retreat into their homes to avoid the chill of this winter night.

Another Christmas day in this system ends as the neighbors settle into their homes on this small street in this large city here in northern México. Methinks that it can not be too many more of these pagan holiday celebrations that God will allow before his Kingdom comes. At least, I hope and pray so.

Now it is late, after eleven and it is quite outside. This is a day I will not soon forget, one that began with a beautiful sunrise and a green light. I am tired and must needs sleep to rest for the long day in the ministry planned tomorrow.

Oh yes, before sleep, I wish to thank everyone back home who have prayed for my safe crossing into México. Thank you so very much, your prayers were heard by Jehovah who has guided me safely into the open arms of our brothers here in this foreign country. Is not Life good in the spiritual paradise? (Day 01)

Shortly before the sunrise, I get up and begin up the outside spiral stairway to the upstairs porch. There, I use the outside laundry sink to take a half bath, brush my teeth and so forth. There are two brothers who share the apartment, Mike and Will. Brandon is also here and visiting for another week. Mike and Brandon are from Michigan. Will is from Pennsylvania near the big bend of the Delaware.

The apartment is above a sister′s home and is quite primitive. When you first enter from the balcony, you step into a small kitchen area, I was standing in the baño (bathroom) to take this photo.

The baño has a sink, a toilet and a shower which has the only hot water in the apartment. The living room has a small sofa, table, a convertible sofa-bed in one corner and a small fridge. Next to the living room is the bedroom with two beds with an open closet. The floors are concrete and the windows have bars; some of the windows have broken glass. The two brother split the rent and utilities which amount to about $120 dollars per month and share their quarters often with different guests. It seems high priced for such a hovel but this is one of México′s large cities and we are right in the heart of town. Most important, the brothers think the apartment is just fine and who am I to argue.

At eight-thirty, the sun breaks through the clouds and roosters all about the neighborhood begin sounding off. Soon, it is time to get dressed for the ministry meeting at the San Nicolas English congregation (25.767400, -100.283400) this morning. The public meeting is at four today and I still have not prepared for it, but plan to after the ministry. Today, the ministry group will go to the train stations, different car groups to different stations. Our instructions are to ask those passing by "Do you speak English" and go from there. After an hour and a half with only a little success, we leave to do some return visits.

Then, we return for the afternoon siesta until we have to be at the public meeting and I take this time to do my study. After the meeting, we walk to the grocery store and then to the brother′s apartment to have sandwiches. It is after dark and many people are walking about the neighborhood and children are even out after dark still playing. This make me wonder about what I heard earlier that the cities in México have very little crime. I am beginning to feel safe here, even at night but not near enough to let my guard down. Later, more friends arrive for ice cream and toppings and then music and dancing. They call it an ice cream fiesta.

I return to my van at eleven-thirty and my thoughts are full o how I can not even begin to fathom all the fellowship I enjoyed today when only yesterday, just twenty-eight hours ago, I was panicking and ready to return to the US. This has been a powerful lesson learned about the need to trust more in Jehovah. (Day 02)

The ministry meeting is at ten this morning when we are paired up and given an assignment. Then we walk to the territory which was about ten blocks away. We knock on doors and it is only after twenty or more homes before we find someone that speaks English. I learn that the man lives in San Antonio and is here for the holidays to visit his wife′s family. Then I show him the tract about the district convention being held here next weekend and encouraged him to come. Later, Jonathan and myselƒ go on a study with Victor, an advance student.

Then, I return to the apartment and park outside to take a siesta. Later, I climb up the stairs to the apartment, computer in hand so as to plug in and charge the battery. Then Mike asks me if I know anything about an adapter for a propane stove and then Mike, Will and myselƒ walked to Home Depot, which is almost a mile away where we buy a new regulator, hose and adapter. Once we returned to the apartment, Mike and I set up the stove while Will begins preparing the food for cooking. We had chicken-mac Especial, (a variation on Chili-Mac) and it is delicious. After supper, Will gets out the Mexican Candy and we indulged in some really sweet treats. At eleven I climb down the stairs and retire to my van while the guys are picking a movie to watch. (Day 03)

For the ministry today, we walk to the territory, about twenty of us and fan out in the neighbor streets. I work with Pablo who is a Mexican brother who speaks English as his second language. During the day, we help each other with each other′s language. It is a really nice day in the ministry and we find one person who speaks English. Afterwards, I return to Calle Tomas Trevino and ask if the three would like to go out to eat. They agree and suggest we go to Los Generales, a local Mexican buffet. This meal is just what I had in mind and when we return full, I park my van for the evening. (Day 04)

Out for morning ministry and I drive with four passengers. It rained all last night and the street are muddy. I know that I will have to wash the van after today′s excursion. One of the sisters who ride in my van, Mary, expresses that she is interested in French and I teach her a few French phrases. It continues to rain all day and after the ministry I take a nap for the remainder of the day. This evening, Brook and Katrina come over to have hamburgers with Brandon, Will and myselƒ. Mike goes out with his girlfreind. Will assigns me the fire detail while he prepares the meat. Brandon cuts the potatoes and Brook cooks them. Katrina slices the tomatoes, onions and cheese. When I bring in the cooked hamburgers, we have a prayer and chow down to a great meal. (Day 05)

Again, I drive my van to the territory and carrying five passengers together with two other packed cars. We drive to a territory a little farther from the hall, park the vehicles and begin working the streets. The neighborhoods (a street in Spanish is a calle, pronounced "ca-ya") are laid out in absolutely no organized fashion and after only one hour, I am totally lost and do not know where my van is. Shortly after midday, all twenty come together and follow Pablo back to where our cars are parked.

After the ministry, I return to Calle Tomas Trevino, park my van and begin hand washing the dirt off, which takes a couple hours. Then I move my car up and sweep the roadway where I have been parked for several days. Mr. Martinez notices that I am sweeping the road in front of his house and I know he is wondering why a foreigner is sweeping the street in front of his house. Then he holds the dust pan for me. Next, I drive to the same store where I have spent so many nights in the US and shop for a few items. Upon returning back to my parking space, I offer to spray lubricant on the squeaky gate in front of Senor Martinez′s front porch. Again, he looks surprised that this gringo is acting kind to him. Life Lesson Six is called to mind. I begin to cook my supper and in a few minutes, he comes around my car with his son, Miguel who has some food to give to me. He jesters that this is to eat and it is for me. I give it a taste, it is a flat sweet tortilla that is very crispy. I say, "muy bueno, mucho gracias." I seemed to have made a friend.

When the boys return, there is one new guest, Stephan, who has just flew in from Michigan and is staying for a while. I go inside and share some beer with them, and get to talk with Stephan for a short time. Then I retire to my van and begin typing. Soon, Mike comes home and taps on my window. I open the door and as we are talking, a woman, who is walking by says "Hello, how are you" and continues to walk down the street. Mike says, "Did you hear that, she spoke to us in English. Wow, they are coming to us now." Mike and I continue talking and she returns again, but with her son, so we greet her this time. Then Mike speaks in Spanish and tells her about the English Convention and she seems interested. Mike asks me if I have a Convention tract and I go back to my van to get one. We give her the tract, find out where she lives and tell her that we will come to see her soon. It has been another wonderful day. (Day 06)

It warmed up nicely last night to the point of being very comfortable outside even after nine. Most of the evenings lately have been cool, in the low sixties but last night was in the seventies until after nine. This morning, I awake at six-fifteen to drive to the hall to meet with the congregation at seven. There is five including myselƒ to go in my van. Then David asks if I can take a couple more. I tell him, maybe one more but then another brother offers to drive. There is a large group of us who are going to the assembly hall to clean in preparation for the assembly which begins tomorrow. David asks me to lead because he does not know the way. I tell him that I have never been there before but I will try to find it using my GPS. After a couple of attempts, I am not able to find the address so I say, "I know another way" and set the GPS to go to the city center of Guadalupe. We are off and once we arrive in Guadalupe, I then set the GPS to go to the street and then we are off again. Finally, we turn on Santa Cruz Avenue and drive for a half mile to find the hall. When I bought this van from my good friend Joe in Tennessee, I never knew it would be used so much as a transport for the friends as it has been used here. All in Jehovah′s service, it is for a good purpose, yes.

Later, after returning to the apartment, we all have a couple of hot dogs which were from my groceries bought yesterday. Then, I retire because I have to awake at five-thirty tomorrow morning to drive a group to the Convention. While rearranging my gear, (which I have to do twice each day, once for transporting and a second time for sleeping,) on this very warm night, many of those in the neighborhood who normally walk along Calle Tomas Trevino now smile and say "buenas noches" to me, to which I reply in kind. Yes, I have noticed that because of my being kind throughout this week, some of the neighbors have warmed up to me.

It is eight pm and I am in bed for the night but I don′t think this will be one in which I will be able to get to sleep very soon, partially because it is so warm, (I would guess it is eighty or more degrees) and also because of the constant explosions and loud music coming from all directions because this is as you know, the eve of the new year. There is a full moon tonight but wait, there′s more! It is also a blue moon. (Day 07)

Five-thirty comes so very early, especially since the noise never seemed to stop last night. The explosions did stop until around two in the morning, but the loud music continued throughout the night. I suppose these people take their partying seriously. Mike, Will, Brandon, Stephan ride with me to the assembly hall. Previously, David, an elder in the San Nicolas Congregation, had asked all of us to work as attendants during the convention and when we arrive, we are asked if anyone had been trained to use a fire extinguisher. All five of us answered yes ² and then we are given a green arm band to wear indicating that we are trained to operate a fire extinguisher and other fire suppressant equipment. Since this is a new provision for this district, throughout the day, the friends would ask me what the green arm band indicates. Some also ask if I know what the white arm band represents and since that is the first thing I previously asked about, I would answer "for those trained in first aid."

Upon arriving at the assembly hall, (25° 40′ 20″ N., 100° 09′ 35″ W.) our attendant overseer met with the ten brothers under him and passed down the instructions. The attendants, in addition to the customary duties, were instructed to keep our eyes open during the prayers so as to watch in our section for pick pockets. Also, we are told that apostates will infiltrate our convention by stealing a name badge and then entering the compound. Too, we are directed that since this is an English convention, if we suspect someone is an apostate, all we have to do is ask that person a question in English and if they can not answer it, then they are suspect. Isn′t this a wonderful, well organized brotherhood?

After the assembly ends for the first day, I seek out someone in charge of the facilities. I go first to the parking department and meet the brother in charge. I ask him if I may park my van in the compound during the assembly and he says that he will find out for me. After he checks with several department, he asks me to accompany him to the administration office. Upon arriving, he goes in alone to make the request for me. In a short while, he comes out and asks me to come into the office, whereupon I enter and after being given the direction take a seat.

There are two brothers in the office, (one that I have previously met) who ask several questions of me. The district overseer asks how I will take care of my needs such as sleeping, food and toilet. I explain that I have been on the road for quite some time and I have my own sleeping birth, my own food and stove for cooking and if I need to use the toilet, I have a bottle for that purpose and even a bucket for the other. I tell them that I just need a place to park while I am at the convention. The overseer asks me how I plan to shower while I am here. I tell him that a shower would be nice to have but I have come to view showers as a luxury, that I use rubbing alcohol each evening to keep myselƒ clean. Then, the circuit overseer, as if he was interested in camp stoves, asks "What kind of stove do you have?" and I tell him that I have a MSR Wisperlight. Also, I tell him that I am completely self-sufficient with everything I need.

The circuit overseer then asks me to wait outside of the office for a moment and they will let me know their decision. As with all such circumstances, I make a silent request to Jehovah for his direction in this matter. After a short wait, the parking overseer comes out of the office and tells me to follow him. He walks to the parking office and asks me to wait their while he finds another brother. After a long wait, the parking overseer returns and says that I will be allowed to stay in the compound during the assembly and that I will need to park adjacent to the watch guard office. (vigilante office in Spanish) The parking overseer tells me that I will also be allowed to take a shower in the dressing room for the baptism candidates. I thank him for all the help he has given me.

I gather my toiletries and go to take a shower. Afterwards, I drive my van to the entrance area to park and prepare my supper. I am only here for a short time when Reyes Gonzales knocks on the side of my van. He introduces himself, greets me and says that he and his family has volunteered for vigilante ³ duty this evening. I talk with him for a while and he introduces his two children to me before I beg off and retire for the evening.

Later, I need to go to the restroom so I walk up to the vigilante shack to let them know that I will be going. After returning from the baños, I walk up to the vigilante shack to thank those there for volunteering for the watchman duty.

Upon arriving at the shack, I meet Norma Gonzalles and ask where Reyes is. She tells me that he is walking the Watchman′s route and that he should be back soon. I decide to wait and in just a little while he returns with his two children, Cecilia (a daughter of about nine years) and Emiliano (a son of about four years). I stay at the entrance gate with the Gonzalles family and we share as much as we can despite the fact that I speak English and his family speaks only Spanish.

Soon, it is time for the changing of the guard (cambio de vigilante) and I am able to meet the next shift of vigilantes before retiring to my van to sleep. (Day 08)

I awake with the cock crow, get dressed and begin to see birds flying overhead. The now waning moon is followed immediately by Mars and some ways back by what I believe is Saturn. Soon, the friends begin arriving, walking past my van into the hall, most of who are of Mexican descent. The horizon to the east begins to become aglow with red and looks like a small fire in the hearth which continues to grow larger by the minute. In only a few minutes, the whole sky becomes bright and I gaze up at the moon and see the planets have gone invisible.

There is a constant stream of friends now walking past as bus after bus unloads. It is now seven-forty, the assembly does not start until nine but as the hall slowly begins to fill the sun rises above the mountains in the east. It is a grand day. Another bus arrives, this one with a Monarch butterfly painted on the side. In the east, on the distant horizon there is a layer of clouds, less than a hand′s width above, where now the sun has rose behind.

Before the session begins, I meet a group of sisters with one from Togo in her native dress. Next, I meet a brother from Mexico Bethel named Fernando and dressed in the native horseman outfit.

Soon, I walk into the assembly hall and take my seat. I have previously been to this year′s convention and have detailed notes for the second and third days. (My home congregation convention was rescheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and I missed the first day.) All during this convention, I follow in my notes and am able to glean additional information. I am so amazed how returning for a second convention makes the information sink deeper into my heart. I am so glad that I decided to stay all three days here.

During the lunch break, I get out my camera and walk around to take some photos. Then I go outside and take a photo of the outside grounds and the mountains that surround this part of Monterrey City.

Later, after the days convention is over, I walk out to the guard shack to meet greet and thank the vigilantes. (Day 09)

Today′s events repeat themselves from those of yester morning in every way, even the red sky. The program is better the second time around. I would just follow the speaker with the notes taken from the first convention attended and add a few newly gleaned thoughts. At the end, I say my good byes and then head back to San Nicolas to stay one more night in the street at the brother′s apartment. When I arrive, Senor Martinez greats me and I tell him I will be here "Una más noche." Later, I tell the brothers good bye and then retire to my van. (Day 10)

First and foremost, the people here are the most humble of people I have met and I am not just talking about the brothers who are superbly so. The neighbor that I have been parking my van in reminds me of the stories I saw on television when I was a boy, stories which depicted neighborhoods in the US cities during the early part of last century. Oddly enough, I was always amazed at how kind and friendly the people were as depicted by those old shows. Too, the people of this country are likewise kind and friendly. Here I observe the kids playing in the street, games they invent such as stick ball (or a plastic bottle if they didn′t have a ball) or tag or hide and seek, much like I did as a young boy. The families here live simple lives, in small homes with little or no modern gadgets. True, there are neighborhoods where the rich live and they have every thing their eyes desire, but the average family in this country is poor, many living on a few hundred peso a week. ⁵

On a very sad note, I have seen in Monterrey on the main streets, many people begging. Normally, it is women, most in their late teens with several children of their own and teaching the babies to hold out their hands ever happy for the smallest coin, a diez-centavos which is not even worth a US penny but to these people it is more than they have. These young women are wrapped in blankets to keep warm. I don′t give these women any change because it only perpetuates their lifestyle. One day I saw a old man in a wheel chair with only one leg. I gave him all my small coins which amounted to less than a quarter US. He had another man pushing him around to beg and yes, it could of been just his angle for getting handouts, but my need to give was strong. From what I have been told, the Mexican government does not help these people, not even those who can not work.

Then, as I drive south from Monterrey along the highway, there are people, almost entirely women and children, camped out under small huts made from sticks and branches, covered with rags for warmth and pieces of scrap plastic tarp for keeping the weather at bay. They gather pieces of wood to build a fire for warmth during the cold winter (these same temperatures I revel in are very cold to them).

Driving slow and looking at their faces, I see that these are a desperate people who no one seems to care about. Deep down I yearn for God′s kingdom to come soon as I am moved with pity because these scenes are repeated time and time again. Also, along the way, many of these same poor people set up roadside booths in order to sell feathers, beads or even captured hawks.

I stop at a roadside booth where there is no one attending, roll down the window and take a photo of a hawk for sale. As I begin to drive away, a young, very thin, barefoot boy of about seven years of age, comes running out from one of the enclosed huts behind the fence waving his hand and yelling something I do not understand. As I drive slowly away, I can see his dirty face and body; still, he smiles at me hoping that I will stop. I wonder what life is like for this person. Driving south along the highway, I continue to look at the faces on these people and I see one young girl standing and waving at the endless stream of passing cars, hoping for someone to stop. She is maybe thirteen, her clothes are tattered, her frame thin and from her eyes, methinks I understand her plight. She doesn′t want to be here, she would rather be somewhere else, anywhere but on the side of this road living in the dirt and poverty. She stands there because her mother has told her to do so and her face shows her reluctance as well as her desire to leave this despised life she lives. Too, because I am driving slow and looking to the side of the road, the older women also begin to wave. Some stand up from their rock and turn to face the road. They must be thinking, "Oh, if only one of these rich North Americans would stop to help and give me just one dollar or even a quarter."

Later, I stop at a gas station and spend five hundred pesos to fill my tank. The highway gas stations here in México are designed to get tourist to stop and spend their dollars. These stations have clean bathrooms (baño), cafes, restaurants, groceries and even souvenirs. Often the highway gas station has a theme, such as one south of Monterrey that has old railway cars attached to buildings. The passenger car was a restaurant, the water tank was next to the bathroom and the stop was called La Estación (The Train Station). Not only do the gringos spend dollars here, but I noticed that the majority of the travelers stopping are Méxican; and yes, many in México are far from being poor.

Finally, I have noticed despite it′s immense natural beauty, this country, as a whole is filthy. I am not talking about the efforts made by many individuals to keep their own homes clean and even by sweeping the streets in front of their home; I see a lot of pride by those here and I commend those who take pride in keeping their home and surrounding clean. However, what I am referring to is the tons and tons of garbage dumped along the highways just outside of the cities all over México. Too, there are dead animals on the sides of the highway everywhere, I even saw a dead horse lying under a "Michocán Trabajo" sign, which by the way is the state "sign" that brags in it′s report of great progress for the people in the state.

From what I have seen, the only way these dead animals are removed are a bite at a time by the vultures. In all of the photos that you will see in this journal, you will only see the cropped version so as to make the photo view beautiful.