Regional Differences – 110F in Phoenix!

The most significant difference I have noticed since starting this trip is the landscape. People new to the Seattle area complain about the constant drizzle. But it’s that drizzle that produces an abundance of green plants and trees. And it’s the green that sets Seattle apart from the southwest corner of the US – and most other parts as well.

Nevertheless, the people here in Phoenix are creative. Instead of watering lawns, some homeowners just flood them, with the hope of a green lawn.

Another difference is the lack of Starbucks or any other coffee stores. I don’t even see any of the little drive-through espresso shacks. Although I don’t have a latte habit at home, I was expecting to buy one whenever I wanted one on the road – not that easy!

Along with the coffee stores is the lack of wi-fi hotspots. They may be here somewhere, but they are not widely advertised.

Lastly, the further south we have driven, the larger the Hispanic population becomes. The Seattle area has a much larger Asian population than Hispanic and it is interesting to note the shift in demographics.

We made it to the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix by 12:50 on Monday only to find out that the window for vehicle import stickers closed at 12:30! And I tried my best to get it processed anyway, but finally I was told that the system had closed down at 12:30 and that we would not be able to get the sticker until Wed morning at 8:00.

We had dinner in Chandler Monday night with Mike’s childhood friend, Scott, and his wife, Vicky. Sitka got to run around the pool (the biggest “water dish” she has ever seen!) with Scott’s weiner dog, Ellie Mae. We didn’t stay late because of our “date” with the Consulate…this morning we went to straight to the Consulate and after going to the liquor store for a copy of my passport and a copy of my FM3 visa, we got the import sticker! Now we just need to apply for Mexican insurance for our truck and cancel our US insurance.

We are going to lay low today, keeping cool in our motel room with Sitka. (Yesterday was a record breaker with a high of 110F and the day before was also a record breaker at 105F. Today’s forecast is 108F!) Later we will head to Buckeye for dinner with Mike’s bro, Matt and wife Lisa. We’ll stay in Buckeye tonight and head out early for somewhere in Texas on Wednesday. My driving route was a little aggressive so we’ll take an extra day through Texas and plan to enter Mexico on Friday, the 23rd.