I am driving

I know you will be as excited as I am when I tell you that I am finally able to drive around the area, locally, from the house to our apartment, to the grocery store, or to Enrique’s apartment. All of that on my own, without getting lost, even. Ivan and Enrique have been letting me sit up front so I can see, and learn, the routes we take everywhere, and it has made all of the difference in my confidence level.

There is also this terrific app here called Waze that is specific, I think, to México, though do not hold me to that. The maps are in Spanish, (which has helped me increase my knowledge of the language), and, they are interactive. If you drive over a pothole, of which there are thousands, (no tax pesos at work here), you can touch an icon, and report the pothole so others can avoid it later. Or, if the traffic is heavy, or at a standstill, you can help others avoid the congestion, and they can go a different route if they want.

Most days, when I drive, the traffic is light, but I do not drive by any schools. They “break” for lunch from 1-2 pm, and leave school around 4 pm, so during those times of the day, Ivan, or Enrique, does the driving.

I have always enjoyed driving, and I mostly enjoy driving fast. Here, however, that is close to impossible with all of the speed bumps, called topes, (pronounced tóe pez) every 20 feet, or so it seems. Below are a few photos I took recently, looking for topes. These are not the speed bumps like in the US. These are varying sizes, varying heights, and depths, some are painted, some are not, but they are always the width of the street.

This tope is just outside Juan’s house, and not painted yellow, so you really have to be paying attention.
This tope is just outside out apartment. Notice the bright yellow and white paint.
This one is not far from the apartment as well. I think you get the idea.

When one is driving the Mercedes, which is very low to the ground, one really has to be aware of the weight distribution inside the car, how high the bump is, and how deep. Once you can calculate that, in a moments notice, you will be able to go over said bump, tope, either straight on, or at an angle so you do not bottom out going over the top. All of the topes have scrapes, and scratches, on them from all of the low to the ground automobiles that drive over them. It is no wonder that muffler replacement is such a lucrative business here.

I am fine, just being able to find my way around the “neighborhood” so to speak. And for now, that is accomplishment enough. Once we get settled into the apartment, I will be able to learn more ways to get around town. Downtown we save for those that have lived here all of their lives or we take the Metro.

For now, I drive when, and where I am comfortable.