1980 Callaway Volkswagon Scirocco

After college I bought a 1980 Volkswagon Callaway Turbo Scirocco, maybe my favorite car.

Places near DF

Visited:

1. Puerto Vallarta -
2. Cozumel -
3. Playa del Carmen -
4. Avandaro - Very Marin like, with lots of dirt bikes, hiking
5. Tepotzotlan - visited with parents, rock to climb, pena de Bernal, small town cousin with cafe
6. Desierto de Los leones - Convent in the hills
7. Coyoacan - Now part of DF but feels very far away, fountain in center of town, Ginga
8. Cabo San Lucas -
9. Cholula - archeological site, nice old town
10. Popocatepetl - Volcano near Cholula
11.


To Visit:
San Miguel
Taxco
Malinalco
Tepoztlan
Cuernavaca
Puebla

Bicycling Zocalo

Every Sunday the city closes down streets of DF for Muevete en Bici so people can bicycle through the city.  Map of bicycle route. Wonderful event!  

First Drive

Yesterday was the first day I drove a car in DF.  The truth is, it is the second time I drove a car in DF, the first time I backed into a concrete post and dented the car.  This time, getting the car out of the garage was the toughest part.  The prettiest drive I have done so far is to Lerma BMW ("A" on the map) in Toluca.  Thought we could drive there and have a torta at La Selva in Toluca.  Toluca is southwest of DF.

We "practiced" having me drive around Polanco, it was a Sunday, so traffic was light.  All seemed fine, except the car an SUV has a couple of blind spots making driving in traffic a little tough.  Then we took, routa 15 through Santa Fe and through the tunnel on the way to Toluca.  Santa Fe is interesting it is an area of DF built on a former land fill.  The terrain reminds me of Colorado or Marin, lots of evergreens with a rolling terrain.  On the way we had a hail storm, then stopped at Lerma BMW for me to fog up the windows of the showroom, then on to La Selva for a torta.  The traffic going back was very bad, took us almost two hours to get back to DF.  The roads of DF are narrow and you need to be very careful of not "sideswiping" another car.  We watched as car sideswiped a bus and then kept driving.  All and all, went well, need to work on getting the car into and out of the garage.

I was glad I drove, next drive I would like to see the motorcycle rides near DF.  Would also like to find if there are rustic cabins near DF with nearby mountain biking.  Really need a large motocycle for rides on routa 15, riding with a 150cc would not be fun and riding two up would not be possible.

• Practice parking car in garage
• Program GPS
• Car serviced
• Low tire pressure in car

Mexico City Motorcycle

Yamaha FZ16

http://www.yamaha-motor.com.mx/fz16.html

33,600 pesos

$2,642USD

Honda CGL125 Tool
http://www.honda.mx/motos/tool/
14,900 pesos
$1,171USD

After lots of research I have narrowed my motorcycle search down to two motorcycles.   I am looking for a motorcycle for commuting to the gym, going to meetings and quick errands.   Have started a discussion of Adventure Rider, which has been a great help.  The reality is a 125cc or 150cc bike is only good for around DF.  At first was looking at the Honda GL150 used by delivery people, but people tend to get very angry at delivery motorcycles.  Also thought about a Honda Wave or Yamaha Crypton thinking will get more respect on a slower motorcycle, but would like a real motorcycle.

My Requirements:

• Easy to ride in traffic
• Less than $2500 ?
• Able to ride on the weekends
• Ride two up
• Easy to repair and maintain in Mexico City
• Buy a second bike for weekends?
• Mono shock rear suspension
• Front disk brake

The decision comes down to replacement parts and Yamaha and Honda are the most supported motorcycle in DF.  Many of the Federales ride the FZ16.  Then I found a video of the FZ16, which got me more excited:



I have visited the Honda dealership twice, and the Yamaha dealership twice.  The next step is to visit the Yamaha dealership to see the service department before I purchase the FZ16.

• Jacket
• 2nd Helmet
• Riding Pants
• Sliders
• Riding boots, Alpine Stars
• Lock
• Parking
• GPS and Holder
• Sliders

My Motorcycle Research 

30 Peso "Doctor" ?

I have not been feeling well.  Patricia suggested (see grabbed my arm and dragged me across the street) that I see a doctor.  In Mexico there is a pharmacy on every corner, you used to be able to buy anything you want, now you go to a "doctor" (yes, the quotation marks are intended) and the "doctor exams" you before you can buy narcotics or antibiotics.  In Mexico, medicine seems to be by consensus, everyone has an opinion and tells you what medicine you should be taking.

We waited for a few minutes in the waiting room at the pharmacy, nice enough looking crowd in the waiting room, the others waiting seemed middle class.  The last patient walked out and we are next.  I walked into the "doctor's" office, not sure what to expect.  Behind the desk, was a small man, with long hair covering his dirty glasses.  He was so slumped over  in the chair I couldn't see his face, his chin was literally on the desk.

Patricia told the "doctor" that she would like more syringes of antibiotics.  No questions, he writes the prescription.  In Mexico you give yourself or someone else give you a shot of antibiotics if you have a cold.  I have now given Patricia two shots, having never done it before.   While Patricia is talking to the "doctor", I look around the office, above his desk is a picture of Jesus holding the hand of a surgeon, behind the desk are badly xeroxed copies of diplomas and above the examination table is a picture of Mary.  It is obvious that the sheet on the examination table is very old.

My turn, Patricia describes that I have a sore throat and congestion in my chest.  The "doctor" pantomimes, take off your jacket.  He gets up from behind the desk, he is still all bent over, he is short, but it looks like he is carrying a very heavy backpack.  I take off my jacket and he puts a thermometer in my armpit.  My first thought "how many armpits has that thermometer been in today?".  Then he puts a stethoscope on my back and pantomimes "take a deep breath", looks down my throat, then grabs my throat and asks in Spanish, "does that hurt?" (hell yes, that hurts).

He shakes his head and says to Patricia is Spanish "infection".

He writes a prescription for antibiotics a decongestive and aspirin.  Then I pay him 60 pesos ($4.30USD), we go next store and buy all of the prescriptions 400 pesos ($28USD).

If nothing else the story is worth 60 pesos.

I have gone to the doctor in Italy, Vietnam, Indonesia and now Mexico.  Seems like Mexico is a basterdization of the US medical system, "here are some drugs, go feel better".  I think I perfered when Ketut Leiyer said I have a "back that is open to flowers".

To Do:

Internet Card for Computer
Ship Art Books?
Set up home network
Music