Evening star., 1946-01-06

Anglo Frenchy enough. Mexico
Spanish enough, yet each individ-
ualistic.
Before the end of this year, all
American republics may be
within reach of travellers; not, how
ever, on the broad scale planned
for year or so later. Lack of ships
and insufficient planes still hold
the lid on this outlet of travel aspi-
rations, but prospects are bright for
easier transportation by sea and
by air within nine or ten months.
But right now, sunny and inviting
and picturesque, Mexico lies easily
accessible just south of the border.
Motorists were wide awake to
Mexico as a postwar travel objec-
tive almost simultaneously with the
end of gas rationing, according to
those who study the vacationing
habits of automobile owners The
initial furry in that direction has
become since steady, increasing
traffic, despite the fact that sum-
mer Is Americas traditional vaca-
ton season. Nor is it expected that
the trend will do other than grow as
the calendars warmer months roll
around, for Mexico is an all-year
land of coats in summer and light
Clothing in winter, depending gen.
orally on the elevation one selects.
Many a book and lengthy article
have caught with varying degrees
of success the fascination, romance
and graceful spirit of that fiesta
land, where resort hotels, for in
stance, think of such things as cover
ing the crystal-clear swimming pool
waters daily with sweet-scented,
snow-white gardenias: where the
burdened and patient little burro
plods with his swarthy master down
the concrete highway and enjoys
right of way of his own; where the
tempo of life is leisurly and the
speed limit between towns is so miles
an hour.
Presented here are only the high
lights of what might be called a
primer on travel to and within our
foreign" neighbor.
X 4 X X
Transportation - Three airlines,
American, Pan American and Bra
niff, fly from the United States into
the heart of Mexico; there are rail
connections to, into and around the
republic; one preferred motor route
through Knoxville, Tenn, westward
to Texarkana and through Palestine
and San Antonio, Tex, to the border
at Loredo.
Entrance requirements-Np pass
port necessary; instead, individual
tourist cards costing S2.10 and OBJ
tainable through a Mexican consul.
the Embassy here or at the border.
Motorist needs drivers license and
registration card or certificate Of
title; 80-cent permit from customs
authorities passes car.
Protection - Few United States
automobile insurance policies cover
use of cars in Mexico. Short-term
policies, obtainable on spot, against
theft, fire, liability. etc. Running
down persons In Mexico is extra
serious business.
Auto services-Temporary mem
berships In Mexican Automobile As
sociation provide road service, trans
lators, legal counsel, etc. The ANA
accepts as temporary members those
who belong to the American Auto
mobile Association and several 9TH
er recognized auto clubs.
Repairs-Check mechanical con-
dition of car before going In. Repair
services possible in big cities. but
not on long stretches of roads where
only villages are found. Good grade
Of tires obtainable. If In use on car
returning, tire can be brought into
the United States under the 500 i'm
port exemption. First-rate quality
gas and oil available.
Clothing - Minimum of baggage
advised. with light clothing suitable
for seacoast and low-lying sections !;
higher tablelands necessitate a warm
coat at night. Mexican people and
especially authorities hardly toler-
ate shorts on women, so they should
never be worn on the streets.
Health-Drink bottled water (or
beer> unless In a hotel or good
tourist court: peel all fruit; 60 slow
on native food until your capacity
for 1t is determined. Take 1t easy
in higher attitudes and rest at sign
OF trouble. If planning to be in
tropics, beware Of mosquitoes and
get a net to drape over the bed. Re-
TRAVEL.