My Journey to Mexico
began by staying with a friend in Tucson, Arizona – Lawrence - what a great guy can't say enough about Lawrence Not only did him give me a place to stay – he also introduced me to Terry, his mom. She was nice enough to put me up for the night at her place in Rio Rico, Arizona the last town before the border. She was a really sweet lady she drove me to the border and wished me well. I had the feeling - what am I getting myself into. I don’t know what to expect from Mexico - Goodbye America for the next five months started my journey into Mexico at the border crossing of Nogales.

The border crossing was simple and easy
You just need a tourist form available at the border. From Nogales, Mexico I took a bus to Guaymas, Mexico. Stayed the night in an okay room with bath for $13. Friendly helpful staff, cable TV and blue ceramic tile throughout. Hotdog story here The next day I went to San Carlos - San Francisco beach for sunset. One thing you will learn fast in Mexico is how friendly and welcoming the people are.

Took another long second-class bus to Los Mochis. I had a little trouble finding the hotel that my lets go Mexico book had listed, but a few friendly people helped and a last I’m in my dumpy $16/night hotel.

A Decision about Luggage
It was during this search for my hotel that I made a dramatic decision about luggage. I was planning on using a backpack and just before I left I bought a black duffel bag for $20 that I was going to put the backpack into protected on the buses etc. This was a important and significant moment because I chose the plain black duffel bag over the backpack.  I'm too lazy to put things nice and neat in all those backpack compartments every time - the beauty of a black duffel bag is you can put things in any way you want and the handles are big enough to use like a backpack. I think it also helps detours theft because it looks plain and inexpensive. I’ve used this bag on all my journeys seen. Travel light! Number one rule for any traveler.

Sinaloa Park
rundown but beautiful  like all of Mexico. People here are so beautiful. I made arrangements for a ferry to La Paz, Mexico Baja California  from Topolobampo port. That’s a mouthful, looks funny and is even funnier trying to say it to locals. An overnight journey. Boy was that a painful boat ride sleeping on the floor with just a blanket but I chose laying flat over sitting in a chair overnight lots of people were doing it. I will not hesitate to conform to what the locals do I don’t not consider myself a tourist but a traveler. This is also an example of taking advantage of overnight transportation that saves you the cost of a room.