Aventura a Mexico: 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.