My findings

Throughout this year I have been making mental notes on my perceptions of México, Below follow some of my findings.

• Mexicans are gracious
• Always watch where you are walking.
• No does not necessarily mean no. You can talk your way in and out of things quite easily if you try.
• Mexicans love to eat at stands, and you should too.
• Wherever you travel in Mexico, find the tianguis (outdoor market)
• By and large, Mexico is safe.
• If you do not eat meat, it will be hard to fully enjoy Mexico's culinary options
• Be a defensive pedestrian. Cars almost always have the right of way, no matter how wrong it seems. Especially steer clear of buses.
• Even if you are just asking for directions, always begin with a greeting
• Try to speak the language
• If a restaurant has people outside offering you menus, the food is probably not that great
• Stand very close to the person ahead of you in line... especially if an elderly woman approaches. They seem to always find enough room to "budge" in front
• Save your receipts
• Credit cards are not very useful
• Lime and picante goes on everything
• Make sure the taxi driver uses the meter
• Get used to being whistled at if you are female
• Try mezcal
• México is not a poor country. There are many with little, and many with very much.
• When riding on a bus, Hold On.
• Banda music. It keeps going and going. And louder and louder
• If you have the opportunity, attend a quinceanera
• Each street vendor has their own special call
• Travel by first-class bus is very reasonable, and very comfortable in México.
• Always carry small change
• Fresh-squeezed juice is plentiful and can be found in any neighborhood on any given morning
• Where there is one taco stand, there are four

To be continued.