The end.

I woke up early this morning and got out of Memphis before 7:30am. I took U.S. 64 all the way home. It was construction off an on the whole way, but other than being frustrating, it was an easy drive. I made it home by 11:30am. Then I took a nap!

I have been talking about going to Mexico for years, then I finally did it, and now it is already over. It feels very anti-climatic. This experience was totally worth it - "vale la pena." I feel sad that it is over, but now I've got to focus on moving and graduate school, and it was hard to do that in another country. I hope I get to return soon.

I drove a total of 2,028 miles home, approximately 900 of those in Mexico.

Memphis

I originally was going to drive to Little Rock today but the sun was out, I wasn't tired yet and there was gas in the car so Leo and I drove to Memphis. I drove out into the suburbs to use my gift card for Steak and Shake, then backtracked a few miles to find an affordable hotel. This place is only eight dollars more than the Austin place but it is so much nicer. Clean! Hot water! Easier to sneak Leo in this time! Hopefully their continental breakfast is better than the one in Austin - it was stale Cherrios.

The drive today wasn't as exciting to me since it was all U.S. driving. But in Waco, Texas I got off the interstate because 1) I wanted to avoid Dallas at all costs 2) it was shorter distance-wise. It was nice, because it was almost all four lane highway with the same speed limits as the interstate, plus I got to drive through a few little towns that were interesting to see. I stopped for lunch in Athens, Texas where a guy on a bicycle yelled, "How's it going?" as I walked Leo outside. I got back on the interstate in Texarkana.

I don't have any perspective on the Mexico trip yet, but I am so glad I did it. I already miss it and everyone I left there. I've come back older and wiser!

Mexico to Austin

I left the hotel at 7:30 this morning. I realized later that not only did I pay in cash, in advance; but no one asked me for my name or information. Suspicious. The air conditioning was so loud and by 5:30 am, when it woke me up, I realized it wasn't working either. The weather in San Luis Potosi was pleasant though; cool and overcast. The town was the most un-Mexican I've seen. I think the same person who planned Huntsville, Alabama planned SLP. Anyways, I didn't have to check out. I just got in my car and was on my way. However, the hotel here in Austin is twice as much, asked for my license, and is ghetto. No hot water, no internet *inside* the room... and it doesn't look as clean. I can't say anything, though, because I snuck Leo in.

Speaking of Leo, I was concerned crossing the border would be more challenging than it was entering Mexico. It could not have been quicker. No one cared I had expired tags. No one asked to see Leo's papers. I never even got out of the car. I just turned in my vehicle permit, showed my passport, answered some questions and I was on my way. Driving to the border was easy, too. The highways were smoother and less congested, though the tolls overall ate up about 100 bucks. Before I reached Matehuala in SLP state, I passed a sign commemorating the Tropic of Cancer; apparently I passed it at that point. Luckily yesterday before I began driving my cruise control miraculously began working again, though now it is tempermental and it takes some maneuvering to get it to work (accelerate, brake, on, set? brake, off, on, set?). As I was driving down the last roads in Mexico that I had traveled in February, it really felt just like yesterday that I had been on them to start the trip. It is cliche, but it went by in the blink of an eye and I almost can't believe I'm no longer there.

Austin seems like a cute town. A little contrived and clean, but the downtown nonetheless was nice and I had a great dinner at a 6th St. restaurant that served - guess - Mexican food, though more Tex Mex than traditional Mexican. I began to order in Spanish and caught myself before I finished the first word. Weird. I'm going to map my route for tomorrow, tonight.

A picture in Coahuila state.


I believe this was while I was still in San Luis Potosi state.


And this one too. Though this might have been Nuevo Leon state.

First day of The End.

I was up and ready to go by 8:30. The owner of the apartment was supposed to come between 8:30 and 9:00 to get the keys and give me my deposit. He showed up at 10 til 10:00. I should have: 1) told him 7:30 2) realized that this is Mexico. Therefore, 9:00 does not mean 9:00. So, I got a late start. I back-tracked back to Guadalajara where I had a late lunch with Juan Carlos at La Nacional (just like old times). Then I went east and north a different route than I had taken to get to Guadalajara in February. The tolls are expensive, and sometimes the roads don't seem much better than the "libre" highways, but I figured for time's and safety's sake to just take the toll roads. I got to San Luis Potosi before dark and found a hotel for about 20 bucks. I thought it was strange that they asked for cash only and wanted it paid in advance. Hmmm. There was a nicer hotel a few miles away I stopped at but they wouldn't allow Leo unless he slept in the car. Yeah, right. The hotel doesn't have internet so I walked down to Burger King (blah) for dinner because they have it for free. As I was driving towards town, I kept seeing signs for SLP saying "17 km" then "20km" then "25 km." It was like the city was getting farther away than closer. I know I made it to San Luis Potosi but I didn't make it to it's downtown, which is probably why I'm stuck in the hotel I am in next to a mall with a Burger King.

The drive today was beautiful. I have said it before but I love driving through Mexico. The photos I took from the car don't do what I saw justice. I am really glad I decided to drive instead of fly. If I leave early tomorrow I should make it across the border around 3:30 (very rough estimate).

First of two pictures of the volcanic rock between Vallarta and Guadalajara.


Second picture.


Some of the landscape of central/eastern Jalisco state.


I saw this huge bull in the distance so when I got close enough I took a picture; in eastern Jalisco.


Driving near the Jalisco/Zacatecas/San Luis Potosi state lines.


Ditto.


Driving through San Luis Potosi.


Another photo, near sunset.

Vet Pt. 2

So even though he didn't get a thorough examination, Leo got all of his shots and is ready to go. Total cost: $60 give or take. Hope we don't have any problems at the border.

Vet

I took Leo to the veterinarian a few doors down and said I needed his papers to cross the border. All the receptionist did was fill out a standardized sheet, charge me 180 pesos, and weigh Leo. So much for making sure he is healthy enough to cross. That being said, she said that he needs to be up to date with his vaccinations, and he had them a little over a year ago, so we're going back at 4:00 to see the veterinarian for his shots.

Final Days

I took Kelly to the airport this afternoon. She made sure to make her last night here memorable by getting in the swimming pool at the bar we were at. Now that she's gone it is real to me that I am also leaving in a few days. I made an omelet for dinner with what I have left in the refrigerator: pineapple, onion, garlic, cheese and egg. It isn't wonderful but it will do. That means I can allow myself to eat out for dinner tomorrow and Monday, but I do have cereal for breakfasts and peanut butter and jelly for lunches.