Arrived

After four days of driving, we’re in Mérida now, down in the Yucatán. I’ve been through numerous police and military checkpoints, so far without a problem, and there are definite differences between the forces. Policia tend to be local cops, many unarmed and typically fat and sloppy looking. Corrupt. Federales are typically a lot sharper in appearance and demeanor and I would not screw with one. Guardia, or National Guard, are basically bored kids with older German rifles that their fathers likely also carried. And the Mexican Marines? Front line on the drug war. Even the cartels try not to mess with them. And for some reason down here one or more of these guys is always in sight, usually in full battle gear. I’m thinking there’s a lot of stuff going on down here that isn’t getting reported up north.