The "DRIVE" to Mazatlan, Mexico. We are "LOST" !

We departed San Carlos at 0530 and we were supposed to get to Mazatlan by 15:00 to check into the condo. The condo is located smack in the middle of the Carnival action so the road was to be blocked off by the police starting at 1500.

We didn't make it !  Nope ! We arrived at the Condo Rental Office at 16:15 which is about a 15 minute drive from the Condo.  Here is the story...and I am sticking to it !

We left at 0530 as planned but about 5 miles away Andy forgot her car phone charger so we had to turn around but half way there she found it.  We turned around again, now we are on our way.

Driving through Mexico is very interesting. Goats, cattle, even people are all over the roads, not to mention random pot holes and speed bumps that appear out of no where!  Now, I can see why you wouldn't want to drive at night. Be ready for anything is the best I can describe it!  Don't get me wrong in some places you wouldn't even know your driving in an other country let alone in Mexico. It can seem like you are driving through the states then poof...you know your not !

I was the driver, Andy was the navigator. No I didn't kill her...she is still alive but I am sure we both gave each other a few more grey hairs. We were doing good until " the wrong turn". What is the Mexican word meaning " Libre". We didn't know either!  We followed the sign that said 15 Mexico libre instead of 15D Mexico.  Oops... we just messed up. We took the "free" road not the "toll" road". Oh boy this could be a mistake..oh well we will just drive... it's bound to take us to Mazatlan.

We made it to Mazatlan... the long way...we are late! The road will be closed to the condo ! SHIT! We will just have to check into the condo managers office and then get a room for the night. This could be a costly mistake. We will get robbed!  Oh well, it is just money! So I asked Andy where the office was...she didn't know !  SAY WHAT !  ARE YOU SERIOUS !!!  She said, my GPS isn't working or my phone email.  You can just call and ask her for directions". I said "OH REALLY,  do you know where we are. How are we going to ask for directions to their office if we have no idea where in the hell we are".  I was staying calm and quiet as I always do.   NOT !!!  We continued to drive aimlessly through the very busy congested city.

All of a sudden I hear, very loudly, "WALMART" !  OH THANK GOD !  WE ARE FOUND !  I can now call the woman at the condo office and she can give me directions from here to their office. Not so fast Preston...not so fast !  There are more than one Walmart in Mazatlan ! Oh yea and she speaks broken English, remember we are in Mexico !. Of course this has to happen! To make a long story short, we found the place.

Now we are way past the deadline.  Not to worry amigos. I will get you there!  You will just have to park on the street somewhere, because you will not be able to get to the parking garage. The street is barricaded.  "So how far away will we have to leave the car?"   "Who knows he says"!  Well, under normal circumstances this might not have been much of an issue. However, Andy has brought all of our food items from the RV, so she can cook in the condo a few nights and breakfasts.  Two bags of food, a huge cooler, suitcases, computer bags, pillows, not to mention the wine bag.  Gonzales, our guide to the condo, was just shaking his head. He must have thought "you crazy gringos"!  Well, Gonzales was our knight in shining armor. We pull up to the policia barricade he gets out of the car and chats with the guy. Low and behold the barricade is moved, just for us!  Our car is safely in the parking garage. I AM DONE ! SPENT !


We arrived to our condo. Wow what a trip !  Great place to hang out for a week !

View from our balcony.

Looking down from the balcony.

 She is alive...Proof of life !