Driving in Mexico..

Anyone who has driven with me (Mary here...) knows exactly what I am talking about when I say I am a self-proclaimed bad driver. Not that I get in accidents, mind you (except those few in high school, and that one in college, and oh yeah, when Jacob was just born and I BARELY bumped into the back of a police car -- but there was no damage and I didn't get a ticket, and that is all in the past anyway)...POINT BEING...... I don't get into accidents, I just bump a curb every now and then, miss a turn because I forget about it, stop too fast, or too slowly, park a little too crooked, make 7 point turns, and "drive by Braille" sometimes (as Keith likes to call it when I ride the bumps on the center line). Sometimes I tend to veer where I am looking -- which isn't great if it is at wildflowers, or my kids in the backseat (ok, I'm not serious there).

But I have to tell you ---- I AM A GREAT DRIVER IN MEXICO!!! I know, I know -- those of you who know me well find it hard to believe -- but it is true!!!! I love driving here, it is easy, and I am really, really great at it!! Some of the reasons are:

1) Most signs and signals are merely "suggestions" -- such as "one way", turn lanes, even stop signs. Common sense seems to be the law of the land. I accidentally (really!) ran a stop sign my second week here (the guy in front of me did too, so I really didn't know it was there -- and it was onto a 2 lane "round-a bout", so I had a lot on my mind...). Anyway, there was a Policia right behind me...... I was sure I was a goner.... but he ran it as well. Knock on wood, please, that my luck doesn't run out, and I promise I won't disobey any "suggestions" on purpose!!!!


2) With all the cobblestones, cars CAN'T go faster than 20 kilometers. That's not much faster than you can drive in a school zone. So, even if I did hit anything -- it wouldn't be very hard.

3) EVERYONE (except the occasional new Gringo in town) is incredibly nice and accommodating. Every driver stops for a pedestrian (to the point where pedestrians hardly look both ways ---- something we will have to re-teach our kids upon our re-entry to the USA). ALL intersections and incoming roads are treated like yields --- incoming cars are always let in or across traffic. ALWAYS. There is no butting in or inching your way in front of someone else. It just isn't necessary.

4) The only time I have ever hear a car horn is preceding shouts of "HOLA". Now this is often in such a small town, and it is really nice to see and hear so many warm hello's hollered through the air from the street to the sidewalk, or to an open window, or even to another car.

5) Common sense rule if someone needs to double park to run onto the pharmacy, or into someone's house to get something. Traffic just moves around it, and nobody gets upset about it.

6) If a 2-way street is too narrow for 2 cars going opposite directions, one car always pulls way over, or even backs up into a driveway or between two telephone poles so the other can pass. Usually seeing that I'm a US female driver of a van (usually full of kids), the other driver (usually a lithe VW bug or taxi) has been quick to respond and do this before I can even think of a plan. The other driver is quick to wave me through with a smile and a "Buenas Diaz"

7) If (or when) I do stray, swerve, make a wide turn, need help parallel parking, or making a 5-7 point turn.... others are quick to assist and/or move aside. And always with a smile.

This is my kind of driving!!!

P.S. although - I will hang my head in UTTER shame as I admit to you that my three children had to bail out of the van last night to navigate me into a parallel parking space. Not that it was that tight -- I'm just not very good at it. It went pretty well, except that my 5 year old had the back post, and was shouting, "you have 3 feet before you hit the motorcycle, Mommy". Unfortunately, he does not know what "3 feet" is (unless he thinks of it of 3 of his feet). Fortunately, I had the motorcycle in sight!