rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Mexico is a diverse, interesting, lovely country. I've been visiting Mexico since I was a teenager. I would tell my parents that I was going camping with my friends, then we'd head south across the border! (They still don't know about this, I figure what they don't know won't hurt them).
We were young and fearless, but rightly so. Mexico is populated with great people, and like everywhere on Earth, there's some not-nice people, but far more nice ones than bad ones. Anyway, our rule was to get a certain distance south of the border then it was real "Mexico".
I've had so many adventures in Mexico. Rarely a tourist. Several rock-climbing, caving, birding and herping, aquatic (coral reefs), visiting friends, scientific collaboration and conferences, and one semi-tourist trip. I rather enjoy the food and culture during my trips. And both can be so diverse!
I will say that I'm quite disappointed in Los Cabos. American tourism can be beneficial there, but I think Mexicans and Mexico (the land) are on the losing end of the stick. I gut a gut-churning sensation when I see the cheezy impact of the American "resort" phenomenon. That sensation turns to anger and frustration when I witness American "visitors" treating their hosts and their country as if it were their own (or worse). Clearly, not all Americans behave this way, but I see this type of visitor more often in Los Cabos than elsewhere.
When visiting Baja, I prefer more authentic locations. The inland canyons near Los Cabos are fascinating. Native palm trees, riparian cottonwoods, archaeological sites, unique plants and animals (including bighorn sheep), and a relative lack of American tourists make them interesting to me. In Baja Sur, I like La Paz because it is a neat, old, Mexican city for Mexicans, not Americans. The coastline between Los Cabos and La Paz has some of the most interesting coral reef habitat on the Pacific side.
If you can, rent a car in Baja.
I've been to Mexico many times, but never Mexico City (perhaps the airport). My dad and wife have been to Mexico City, and they say its a cosmopolitan city, much like other cosmopolitan cities worldwide. I sure it will be fun. Everyone I know says not to rent a car if you're staying in the Mexico City area.
Photo opportunities in Mexico are numerous. I've learned that unless I need a certain quality associated with a larger, or heavier camera, the smallest and lightest camera is the best camera. Nowadays, that could be the mobile phone. Practically, that has been a rangefinder (e.g., Leica IIIa) or an Olympus XA. I may have taken my M2 out. I also took my Rolleiflex (Rolleicord) on some trips, also a large format camera (Crown Graphic 4x5) I also have a 120 back for the Crown Graphic. I think that was for a caving trip and didn't work out so well. I think. Water and mud was an issue (well, it WAS a caving trip 😉) I did a whole Baja trip with only my XA. The XA is that good. The only drawback was being locked into the 35mm focal length.
We were young and fearless, but rightly so. Mexico is populated with great people, and like everywhere on Earth, there's some not-nice people, but far more nice ones than bad ones. Anyway, our rule was to get a certain distance south of the border then it was real "Mexico".
I've had so many adventures in Mexico. Rarely a tourist. Several rock-climbing, caving, birding and herping, aquatic (coral reefs), visiting friends, scientific collaboration and conferences, and one semi-tourist trip. I rather enjoy the food and culture during my trips. And both can be so diverse!
I will say that I'm quite disappointed in Los Cabos. American tourism can be beneficial there, but I think Mexicans and Mexico (the land) are on the losing end of the stick. I gut a gut-churning sensation when I see the cheezy impact of the American "resort" phenomenon. That sensation turns to anger and frustration when I witness American "visitors" treating their hosts and their country as if it were their own (or worse). Clearly, not all Americans behave this way, but I see this type of visitor more often in Los Cabos than elsewhere.
When visiting Baja, I prefer more authentic locations. The inland canyons near Los Cabos are fascinating. Native palm trees, riparian cottonwoods, archaeological sites, unique plants and animals (including bighorn sheep), and a relative lack of American tourists make them interesting to me. In Baja Sur, I like La Paz because it is a neat, old, Mexican city for Mexicans, not Americans. The coastline between Los Cabos and La Paz has some of the most interesting coral reef habitat on the Pacific side.
If you can, rent a car in Baja.
I've been to Mexico many times, but never Mexico City (perhaps the airport). My dad and wife have been to Mexico City, and they say its a cosmopolitan city, much like other cosmopolitan cities worldwide. I sure it will be fun. Everyone I know says not to rent a car if you're staying in the Mexico City area.
Photo opportunities in Mexico are numerous. I've learned that unless I need a certain quality associated with a larger, or heavier camera, the smallest and lightest camera is the best camera. Nowadays, that could be the mobile phone. Practically, that has been a rangefinder (e.g., Leica IIIa) or an Olympus XA. I may have taken my M2 out. I also took my Rolleiflex (Rolleicord) on some trips, also a large format camera (Crown Graphic 4x5) I also have a 120 back for the Crown Graphic. I think that was for a caving trip and didn't work out so well. I think. Water and mud was an issue (well, it WAS a caving trip 😉) I did a whole Baja trip with only my XA. The XA is that good. The only drawback was being locked into the 35mm focal length.
