México

Mexico is the third country on our trip and somehow the adventure really starts here for us. Of course, there were also some challenges in Canada and USA like bad gravel roads and grizzly bears on hiking trails. But in general these countries are as easy to travel as Europe, are camper friendly, safe and we could communicate without problems. In Mexico, however, dangers lurk everywhere, from armed drug cartels and corrupt police to bad roads and chaotic traffic. At least, that’s the general clichés about this country. In the U.S., we were asked if we had a gun with us, every time we told people we were going to Mexico. Admittedly, the “gringos” are probably not very popular with their southern neighbors, but should it really be that bad? So we were a little nervous, our Spanish skills were still only rudimentary. Would we always be able to spend the nights safely and how often did we have to deal with police checks?

But we were also looking forward to a bit of culture change, colonial cities, beach and warmth, cheap and tasty food, tacos and tequila. Mexico is very big and we would only be able to visit parts of it. We had not yet planned an exact route. Our first destination was Baja California, a long peninsula in the very west of the country. An easy introduction into the country, because the Baja is relatively deserted. It is also a wintering destination for Canadians and Americans, comparable to Spain for Northern Europeans.  We also wanted to take a “vacation” from traveling, a few beach days were planned and otherwise we would slowly drive the 1300 kilometers south. From the Baja we would then cross to the mainland by ship at the beginning of the New Year and then really immerse ourselves into Latin America.