Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

3/29/04 - What Mexico Means to us

Ken and Drena were the first people from Adventure Caravans Twin Pigggy Backs February 19-March 31, 2004 we met. We arrived in Presidio early, looking forward with some trepidation to this new adventure. As soon as Paul cut the motor, Drena and Ken were at our door, explaining who they were, and welcoming us to our first ever, Adventure Caravans. We have enjoyed their hospitality ever since.

From the very beginning, Ken and Drena have proved themselves caring and helpful people. There is never a request to either of them that has not been met with quick and heartfelt response.

It is an especial pleasure to welcome them as guest editors for today.

March 29, 2004

HISTORY
Drena and I are originally from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We lived in a quiet farming community of Covington 20 miles south of Seattle next to the Cascade Mountains. Four years ago we packed up everything and moved to the warmer and dryer desert climate of Mesa, Arizona.

We have been coming to Mexico for more than 25 years. Our travels have been principally between the US border and Mazatlan. The Mexico of 25 years past was just as exciting then, as it is today. We joined this “Adventure” caravan to expand our understanding and see how the Mexican people live in other regions of north central Mexico and the Baja.

TRAINEES
Drena and I are trainees on this trip, that means we are able to work with and learn from experienced staff on how to eventually lead caravans of our own. The wagon masters Larry and Diane Tolin and tail gunners Bruce and Yvonne Horton have been extremely helpful and patient with us as we become familiar with all of the many staff challenges that make up a successful caravan.

CARAVAN
This trip has exceeded all of our goals and objectives in addition to meeting many wonderful people. There are lots of advantages in traveling to Mexico by caravan.b It affords people the opportunity to experience many of the pleasures of Mexico without having to worry about the unknown. The majority of our guests were entering Mexico for the first time so anxiety was running high. The caravan staff has a lot of experience in turning a complex twin piggyback trip into a relaxing adventure.

WHAT MEXICO MEANS TO US
As we prepare for our return to the US in a few more days we would like to revisit some of the wonderful things that Mexico has to offer.

Mexico’s beautiful mountains and ocean beaches are just as picturesque as our own. The Mexican people are very loving, caring and friendly. History shows they fought just as hard for their independence from Spain as we Americans did. Our respect for the people of Mexico only increases as we continue to learn about their culture and heritage values.

While traveling through small Mexican villages and large towns we are reminded of the fundamental principals that our own country was founded on. It is refreshing to see young school children dressed the same; the girls dressed in plaid skirts and boys wearing light colored shirts and dark jeans. Throughout Mexico, we watched young entertainers proudly perform traditional Mexican folk dances. And most importantly, everywhere we traveled the Mexican people would stop what they were doing and wave to us with enthusiasm. The warmth and honesty emulating from these people only pushes our desire to know them better.

Drena and I have been very fortunate to have witnessed many of the positive changes that have occurred in Mexico in the last 25 years.

There is now electricity and running water in many of the large cities. There was a time when water was carried by hand and electricity was only a dream. Now you can go anywhere in Mazatlan and watch CNN or the rose bowl on New Year’s day. It is gratifying to see prosperity among the people, they are buying new cars and live in houses with plumbing, refrigeration and even a TV.

We are continually impressed at the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the mechanic in Mulege that can rebuild and alternator in 1 hour or the welder in LaPaz who fixed my broken tow bar bracket better than new in less than 2 hours. And then there was the Guerrero Negro radiator repair mechanic who fixed a punctured radiator in a $250,000 motorhome in less than an hour without having to remove it.

These mechanics, welders and electricians may not live in extravagant homes but in my opinion they reflect the positive and prosperous future that lies ahead for the Mexican people.

We Americans need to look deep into the Mexican culture to really understand what some of us have lost. If you do not understand my point then ask yourself, when was the last time you went out of your way to wave at someone from another state or country that passed you on the street?

Thank you for letting us share what Mexico means to us.

Ken & Drena Prengel

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