Mexico – Unconventional Travel

Real de Catorce (Mexico)

Discover an old silver mining town in the Sierra de Catorce mountain range of Mexico. Make sure you bring some warm clothing and heavy boots to explore one of the highest plateaus in Mexico. I explored this region in December and it was downright chilly during the day and “extra blankets” cold during the night.

Fascinating to walk around and explore the old abandon buildings dotted throughout the mountain sides.

You can enter some shallow mines in the hillsides and take a quick peek. Lots of old abandoned rail cars strewn throughout Real de Catorce. The locals offer reasonably priced horseback tours of the area and you might consider seeing the area that way.

Many long dark tunnels to peer into.

Watch out for these ventilation shafts throughout the area as you explore. Usually they have a fence around them, but one slip and it’s a long drop to the bottom.

There is an assortment of restaurants and hotels (I stayed here) to choose from. I remember one coffee shop that had a movie projected onto a stonewall and offered popcorn for your pleasure.

Francisco “Pancho” Villa

If you do any traveling in Mexico you will start to learn about Pancho Villa. To put it bluntly “Pancho Villa” was one tough man. You didn’t mess with Pancho Villa unless you wanted to die. He was the first Mexican Revolutionary General.

Pancho Villa Statue in Chihuahua, Mexico.

This is a picture of the Generals hacienda in Chihuahua, Mexico.

This house is now called the “Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution” in Chihuahua.

The Dodge that the General was Ambushed in and murdered is displayed in the museum.

Peyote

So you are thinking about doing Peyote (you fool). Realize that you are about to open up a new world that will leave you scratching your head and then searching for the truth.

If Peyote decides to find you, then you will begin a journey (yes, Peyote finds you, you don’t find Peyote). Maybe a nightmare into the door of your soul.Imagine walking around a small Mexican town with a loud train that goes right through the middle. Your dead mothers head is stacked 3 feet deep as you walk in search of a way out. You walk with a female police officer and she points to the bus station. You confirm in your mind that you will leave tomorrow and never come back. Walking into a small church Peyote reveals the biggest puppet show on earth. Outside the church an old man smiles. He knows what gringos do in his town.

Respect for the plant and respect for the people for allowing you to explore the truth.

This journey is a all nighter and most of the day. Its a thinker. Visions will dance above your head. Mysterious creatures lurk around the corner in the shadows.

This is where Peyote lives. Possibly you will find yourself illegally climbing over fences that guard the sacred plant. You will have to eat Peyote in the field or risk going to jail if you are searched by police.

Not very tasty. You choke down three to four of these Peyotes and hold back from puking.

Wow, not exactly the best environment to explore Peyote in. Some dead end hotel next to the railroad tracks. Hold on. Your journey is just getting started.

Hey, it’s time for the traditional forced puke. No turning back now. Better get a grip and hold on. Your biggest fears and joys are about to be put on the big screen of reality. No where to run and no where to hide. Its just Peyote and you.

If you start to get scared, go hang out with the horses. Walk around nature and tell yourself everything is ok. It will get better! Peyote is just revealing what you already know. Life is beautiful. Death is real. Life and death are one.

Maybe explore the church for comfort. Is it real or just a puppet show? Could this be a myth or story. Peyote seems to be telling me something. Whats to be believed? Something I can touch with my hands and see or something I read about and pretend exists?

Save the best for last! Its the last few hours that are the most beautiful. Colors and sounds become extraordinary. Your teacher is now showing you life in the purist form.

Different roads and stop signs. Proceed at your own risk.

Museo Leon Trotsky (Mexico City)

Price: 40 Pesos

Location: You will need to take the subway.

Another museum not to miss and if you go to the Museo Frida Kahlo, you can walk here in 5 minutes. This is a fascinating place to discover and see what hell Leon Trotsky and his family went through. Imagine assassins are hunting you your whole life and eventually succeed.

His room after they fortified it after the first assassination attempt. Heavy bars and steel windows. He would end up killed in the next room.

Learn more about Leon Trotsky click here.

Museo Frida Kahlo (Mexico City)

Price: 45 Pesos

Location: You will need to take the subway.

This is my favorite museum in Mexico City and I think it’s a must see. Then up the street you can walk to the Leon Trotsky museum, which is also really interesting.

The Blue House.

Garden Area.

Frog Pond.

Can’t show you much since you can’t take pictures inside. But don’t miss this museum.

Learn more about Frida Kahlo click here.

Museo Dolores Olmedo Patino (Mexico City)

Price: Free Tuesday and 40 Pesos other days (Tues-Sunday 10am to 6pm)

You will need to take a subway and train to get here.

The biggest collection of Diego Rivera paintings and some Frida Kahlo’s. Best to visit the Blue House if you are interested in Frida Kahlo’s work.

Mexico City (Mexico)

Mexico City is a nice place to explore. There are about 20 police officers to each block, so you don’t have to worry about much. Lots of great places to eat ( I like the cheap taco stands with cow and intestine tacos).

Plenty of Museums to see and the subway is supper easy and cheap to use.

Churches everywhere 😉

Weird art too

Diego Rivera Murals

Museo de la Medicina Maya (San Cristobal)

San Cristobal, Mexico

Admission: 20 Pesos (2 US dollars)

Location: Av Salomon Gonzalez Blanco ( A nice half hour walk if you are in the mood).

The museum is pretty fascinating and shows you how the Mayans live traditionally. There is even a film on how the child birth is done with mid-wives. There is a herb garden and a natural pharmacy where they dry their own herbs. Stop by and give them some support, its a pretty interesting learning experience.

San Cristobal (Mexico)

San Cristobal is a rather neat town to visit, even though it is rather chilly. The town kinda reminds me of Antiqua, Guatemala without the volcanos. Its clean and offers plenty of restaurants and some museums that you can walk to.

Lots of churches to look at.

The streets are clean.

Climb the stairs and see the church on top of the hill.

Palenque Ruins (Palenque) Mexico

Admission price: 45 Pesos (4.50 US dollars)

The ruins are excellent and I like the fact that they have these giant plaques with information about each temple that you can read about. I think the thing I enjoyed the most was just walking around in the gorgeous setting. The creek running through the park is just calling for you to strip naked and jump in (just don’t get caught with your pants down 😉 . Don’t miss going to the museum, its a first class exhibit. Enjoy.

This is just a beautiful area to admire.

The museum is first class and included with your admission price. Just save your ticket stub.

Compared to Tikal, Guatemala? Guatemala Baby !!!!!!