The apartment is still in no shape to do any cooking, stuff is in bags strewn all over the place. So, I went out for an “American” breakfast to VIP’s this morning.
VIP’s is a semi upscale restaurant chain owned by Wal-Mart. It’s similar to Denny’s or IHOP with a mix of Mexican and "American/International” items. I had OJ, two smallish hot cakes, a slice of ham, four rashers of really lean bacon, two scrambled eggs, a sweet roll and coffee for 108 pesos including tip. That’ll be about $8.00 by the time the transaction hits my credit card. It’s only a bit more than double what you would pay for a typical Mexican breakfast in a “working class” place.
Then I had to go out an buy a broom, dustpan, mop, toilet paper and paper towels, all of which were supplied at my old place.
The downhill walk to VIP’s was 15 minutes, 5 more to the ATM and 2 minutes to the supermarket. The taxi back was 10 min and about $1.85. It’s a beautiful, clear, sunshiny day, temp about 81ยบ with a nice breeze. Sunblock doesn’t last long around here. But, I enjoy the walks and would try the uphill except for shlepping all that stuff.
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous Happenings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous Happenings. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Driving in Mexico
I rented a car recently, figuring we'd be traveling to some out of the way places.
The route was Zacatecas to Zamora, Zamora to Morelia, Morelia to Uruapan and from Uruapan to Paricutin, Zirahuen, Patzcuaro, and Tzaracua, all 4 places within an hour's drive from Uruapan.
First, the toll roads cut driving time by as much as 75%.
Second, tolls are high; I spent about $75 on tolls on this jaunt, plus the same amount on gas.
I could have saved about 75% of the expense by renting the car in Morelia and taking the bus from Zacatecas to Zamora and then Morelia and then dropping the car off in Morelia on the return trip. It would have cost me about 8 hours additional travel time, but I have lots of that.
The road signs are pretty good from city to city, but watch out, once you get into the city, signage may be missing, hidden, or point to intermediate locations. I found it pretty reliable to ask at the toll booths for directions to the next turn. Also, read every sign, even the ones that face cross streets. And in one case, the sign was 100 feet past the turnoff.
So, if you are adventurous enough to explore Mexico by car. List all the towns you are going to pass through because they may be the only signs you see for a long time. Get directions from someone who knows the route including landmarks. If you think you are lost, you probably are. Stop and get directions using a detailed map and sign language if necessary.
The route was Zacatecas to Zamora, Zamora to Morelia, Morelia to Uruapan and from Uruapan to Paricutin, Zirahuen, Patzcuaro, and Tzaracua, all 4 places within an hour's drive from Uruapan.
First, the toll roads cut driving time by as much as 75%.
Second, tolls are high; I spent about $75 on tolls on this jaunt, plus the same amount on gas.
I could have saved about 75% of the expense by renting the car in Morelia and taking the bus from Zacatecas to Zamora and then Morelia and then dropping the car off in Morelia on the return trip. It would have cost me about 8 hours additional travel time, but I have lots of that.
The road signs are pretty good from city to city, but watch out, once you get into the city, signage may be missing, hidden, or point to intermediate locations. I found it pretty reliable to ask at the toll booths for directions to the next turn. Also, read every sign, even the ones that face cross streets. And in one case, the sign was 100 feet past the turnoff.
So, if you are adventurous enough to explore Mexico by car. List all the towns you are going to pass through because they may be the only signs you see for a long time. Get directions from someone who knows the route including landmarks. If you think you are lost, you probably are. Stop and get directions using a detailed map and sign language if necessary.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Money - Cash, Efectivo
Go to the ATM in the US and you get a pile of $20's. Boring.
Down here, go to the ATM for 5,000 pesos and you get:
6-500's - pink banknote stock
6-200's - green
5-100's - red banknote stock
6-50's - purple
Now, ain't that fun! The 200's and 50's come in 2 sizes, new smaller plastic sheet, old larger banknote stock. There's also a blue 20 peso bill that comes in the same two forms as the 50. There is a mix of 5 different sizes of bill.
Using the ATM's is no different from the US, there's even an option to get your prompts in English. I have been getting my cash from the ATM's because one bank has a business relationship with my bank in the US and I get a better rate than other banks or money exchanges. It might be a good idea to check with your bank before you travel overseas to see if you can save by using a certain bank at your destination.
BTW, 5000 pesos cost me $352.66 today. Using another bank or money exchange might have cost 10 to 20 dollars more. Well, that's a meal in a good to fine restaurant.
Down here, go to the ATM for 5,000 pesos and you get:
6-500's - pink banknote stock
6-200's - green
5-100's - red banknote stock
6-50's - purple
Now, ain't that fun! The 200's and 50's come in 2 sizes, new smaller plastic sheet, old larger banknote stock. There's also a blue 20 peso bill that comes in the same two forms as the 50. There is a mix of 5 different sizes of bill.
Using the ATM's is no different from the US, there's even an option to get your prompts in English. I have been getting my cash from the ATM's because one bank has a business relationship with my bank in the US and I get a better rate than other banks or money exchanges. It might be a good idea to check with your bank before you travel overseas to see if you can save by using a certain bank at your destination.
BTW, 5000 pesos cost me $352.66 today. Using another bank or money exchange might have cost 10 to 20 dollars more. Well, that's a meal in a good to fine restaurant.
The H2 Project
This little old white bug pulled up in front of the hostel a couple of days ago. It looked like it might have an interesting story. I checked it out at http://www.theh2project.com. Check it out for yourself. 
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