lenaris's Full Review: The People's Guide to Mexico: Wherever You Go...Th...
I will attempt to do this book justice not by recording in exact detail its numerous aspects, but by my own experience with the book and how it helped a poor college gringo thrive and explore Mexico on just dollars a day.
Like many college students, I craved adventure one summer. I wanted to visit a foreign country. As a student of the Spanish language who at that time didn't travel abroad, I didn't have a good firsthand account of the culture of a Spanish-speaking nation.
I was looking at travel books at the local bookstore one day and I happened upon The People's Guide to Mexico. It struck me a bit unique because the cover art was a bit more flamboyant than that of other travel books I spied nearby.
Immediately upon turning the first page, I knew I had something different in my hands. Many travel books I've read (In fact, most of those I have read) lead the way by providing historical notes, vague city/regional maps and listings of places to eat and sleep. That is it. This was not at all one of those books. Carl Franz and his wife Lorena have spent countless hours traveling the byways and little-talked-about places. Yes, every guidebook and website is going to tell you that you’re picking up inside information on a special places that even few locals frequent. The People's Guide shows you how to find your own special place through interacting with people and by imparting a real sense of cultural understanding.
I read the book about five times before I set off on my own trip into the land of pulque and horchata (Don’t worry, it’s covered in the book). A bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature didn't give me the same insight into the road rules, hand gestures, common phrases (that they don’t teach in class!), family hotels (versus the "other ones"), and typical Mexican food (it sure isn’t a chimichanga) that the People’s Guide did in a few hours.
My Mexican adventure started on the border between Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico. I rode all the way from Kentucky on a Greyhound bus and boarded a first-class Mexican passenger bus. Considering that the ride on Greyhound is a cramped, smelly exercise in suffering, I would have been a bit disheartened at the prospect of traveling another four hours to nearby Ciudad Victoria had it not been for the People’s Guide. Aye! What a difference in comfort and quality! First-class Mexican busses are 50 times more lavish than their American counterpart. It was right there in the book.
During my two-month travels which took me into Chiapas via highways along the Gulf of Mexico, I referred to this book frequently and fervently. I asked it questions, and it returned to me insightful answers filled with wit and wisdom. I learned how to deal with the police should they ask me for a bribe (They never did. :) ) . I learned that a finger wag means “No way, José (or Juan, or Jorge, or Margarita).” I learned how to really barter with Mexican people in a polite but businesslike way (I found if it’s difficult to get them to come down on the price of one item, find two things you like and make it a package deal).
If you never even plan on setting one pinky toe on Mexican soil, this book is still a joy, as it is filled with hilarious stories of a couple of travelers (plus their mirthful sidekick and friend, Steve) and how they learn about themselves and a strange and beautiful country and her people. The most surprising thing about this book is that the first edition was written more than 25 years ago, and is still extremely relevant to life and travel in Mexico today.
Interesting Sections:
- How (not) to drive in Mexico
- Mexican bus class system
- Recipes!
- A section on daily life
- Customs and superstitions
- Typical foods
- Tips on handling money
And last but not least, the secret pocket: There are directions in the book for making your own secret pocket for securing your passport, traveler’s checks, and other small items of value. I had my mom make one for me, and it was probably this alone that saved my skin more than anything else in the book. The pocket slides down inside your pants and attaches around your belt (as memory serves, ladies, Carl also gives details on how women can use it with a dress), thus keeping your papers safe, secure, and even hidden if you use material that matches the type of pants you most often wear.
The only negative thing that I could say about this book is that it seems like Carl Franz sometimes writes as if he is not overly concerned about personal safety. I think this is probably because not too many people consider where they live or have lived overly dangerous because they're familar with the territory and keep informed as to what's going on. For the inexperienced traveler, this might be interpreted as a free pass to do anything/go anywhere. He recounts stories of hitchiking, riding in 'chicken busses' and driving yourself around Mexico (I think in the 25th anniversary edition, he does make some updated remarks about the increase in highway robberies and assaults). I would be extremely hesitant to do some of the things that he talks about in the People's Guide simply as a matter of personal safety and because I am generally more cautious than the average person. The safety of a particular area generally changes from week to week. Use your own good judgment if you do plan on hitchiking or driving at night in Mexico (something Franz definitely discourages in his book).
You will be so glad that you got this book!
http://www.peoplesguide.com !
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