========================
6/6/06

Hi Gary,

Although I had relegated this message to my "Neotropical" folder, after thinking further on it, I decided to add my two cents worth.

One tried and true solution in third world countries is to hire a car/truck with driver/guide. At my age, if I were in that situatiion, that's what I would invvestigate - assuming a trustworthy driver/guide could be found.

I hope there's still some good forest habitat left down in Oaxaca for you!

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Gary Bletsch <garybletsch at yahoo.com>
> Dear Tweeters,
>
> A while back I polled Tweeters for suggestions on a
> Latin American birding trip. I have decided on the
> state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. I will be going in
> July. I know, it's hot then; after four years of
> birding in the Middle East, I doubt I will find Mexico
> all that toasty.
>
> Now I am trying to make up my mind over another aspect
> of the trip. Part of me says, "Rent a car, it's too
> much of a pain relying on public transportation,
> especially when you only have ten days."
>
> However, I do feel a bit reluctant about driving down
> there. It can't be any worse than driving in
> Arabia--Saudis are the most rabid drivers on the
> planet. Still, from what I hear, the Latin machismo
> del camino can be aggravating when one is on a
> pleasure trip. In addition, there is then the whole
> matter of a lone, travelling birder looking after a
> car, making sure nothing gets ripped off while it's
> parked, and so forth.
>
> So, do any Tweeters care to advise me on this matter?
> I have an inexpensive hotel reserved for the city of
> Oaxaca for the whole trip, but am beginning to think
> that I would miss a lot of species, especially
> endemics, if I were tied to day trips out of the state
> capital. A car would get me out into the boonies more
> easily--and with all the automotive baggage it
> entails.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Gary Bletsch
>
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Gary Bletsch
>
> near Lyman (Skagit County), Washington
>
> garybletsch at yahoo.com
>
>
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