In the last couple of days for some reason, we have been put into a few dangerous situations on the road. Yesterday we almost got hit head on by a small car that decided to pass a bus.I can understand that on the highway, but this was in Patzcuaro. About a 1 km up the road from where we leave town to go up to our house. Curvy, blind and between several topes.....
Luckily there was no one walking on the right side of the road, since only by luck I was able to swerve into the side pathway to avoid having this guy hit us.
Then today on a blind curve there were a couple of guys needing to get to the deposito real fast, (Deposito is a store front that sells ice cold beer) that caused the truck directly in front of us to swerve into the side shoulder almost spilling his load because someone just had to go a little faster.
I have never had any issues driving in Mexico and in fact I rather enjoyed the little freedoms of being able to do certain things that otherwise would get you a 3 or 4 pointer in the states. There are seldom any police to see any of these infractions and even if they did see them I doubt that they would bother to do anything about the driving situation down here.
I wonder why they bother to put "No Passing" signs on the road. Maybe because they are a magnet for the drivers that want to challenge the opportunity?
It is as normal to have drivers pass you at least a dozen times each day. Many times they will pass simply to get in front of you, then arrive at the next light or destination at the same time, less 3 seconds.....
So it can't be a need to get there fast situation. Mexico the time were time is not important.
Their time is so valuable.......Nope, can't be that.
In the land where a 3 o'clock appointment means showing up anytime between 3 and 5, they sure have an obsession about speed on the road.
Perhaps it is something that happens when their hands touch the wheel?
It just has to be that they want to be in front.
Almost every other time when other cars have decided to pass on obviously dangerous locations, the cars where crammed with not just the driver, but with at least 2 or 3 passengers. Sometimes with children and the whole family.
That explains why there are multiple cross shrines on the side of the road.
Not only did the driver want to hurry up and get somewhere, he wanted to bring all his passengers with him...........
9 comments:
Que Dios te proteja.
We take our lives in our hands everytime we make the U-turn at the bottom of the hill, as we look for a parking spot around the corner from Mariscos La Güera.
But it's worth the risk.
Saludos,
Don Cuevas
I have mentioned it before, but I am now seriously considering starting a business manufacturing roadside shrines and crosses.
I figure I can have them made in China and sell them with a franchise operation. Business will only get better, based on the need to get ahead......
We decided to have lunch at your dining joint yesterday and I made the decision immediately after making the left turn to go up the hill. Yep, the turn spot is a nice dangerous location, with any luck you can cause the vehicles to spin around and wipe out the chicken restaurant as they break apart......
Don't forget to factor in ETOH comsumption.
High fatality rates are partly because it's just not cool or manly or Mexican to use seatbelts in this country. Accident scenes here are much grizzlier than in the US.
Agree, they just want to get ahead of you.
Also seems that one can make any bonehead move one wants as long as hazard flashers have been activated. It's the law! :)
Like you, I am baffled that a culture that considers appointments to be a mere suggestion is in such a hurry to get -- where? Maybe to the appointment for which they are three days late. But who am I to talk? I have once again transformed myself into a 22-year old fighter pilot -- but on a perpetual high speed taxiway. I am going to buy one of your shrines to carry around in my truck. That will cut down on the inevitable fetching time.
Steve, by 22 year old fighter pilot do you mean your driving habits have changed in Mexico?
IF so, I volunteer to be your navigator. I have mastered the left tern cue where 4 to 5 cars line up side by side in front of on coming traffic for the first gap in traffic.....
Do you want the vinyl or stainless steel model of shrine and accessories?
Hazard Flashers...but how do you know it is them when half the tail lights are burned out?
I was holding out for one of those basilica-sized tombs -- but stuck on the side of the road. Big hands. Big ego.
Scooting around on a 150cc Chinese scooter is a thrill on Mexican roads.
Let me ask you John, do you wear helmets?
Or are you overly lucky?
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