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My Mexican friends took me to lots of places that normal tourists never go. It was so interesting. I went to Patzcuaro, a very old spanish colonial town. The town is on a lake and on the lake is an island. The island is called Janitzio. On this island is an indian village. Also, this lake is one of two lakes in the world that has a type of fish. It's a little fish, similar to a minnow. I don't recall the name of the fish. Anyway, to get out to this indian village, you have to take a ferry. There are no cars at all. The ferrys are kind of scary, because they are rickety and old. It only costs 10 cents, US to take the 40 minute one way trip.

The indians are marketing their fish. They have the men dressed in traditional costumes fishing. The ferry takes you by their 'fishing' spot and you get to see them fish. Then, right before the ferry leaves, the fishing boats come along side the ferry to collect tips.

On the island, it is kind of depressing. The indians are trying to survive and cater to the people who come up for weekends from Mexico City. I guess it's about 2 hours north of there. Did you know Mexico City has 26 million people living there and it is the largest population city in the world right now?

As you can see, the island is a small mountian, and at the top is a statue to some ruler. To get to the statue at the top, you have to climb stairs. Along the way, old women are sitting along the steps picking fish heads off. The houses are lined up against each other and the all are trying to sell trinkets. Mostly junk made in China. We could have climbed inside the statue. We didn't. The fish smell is horrible.

I don't think I would go to that place again. It was kind of sad. But fascinating at the same time. I'm glad I experienced it.

That is a fascinating report....that island looks intriguing...all what you report, makes one glad that they live in USA, doesnt it...you see the condtions in other countries, and how the folks struggle, and how, every often they just dont have the opportunities we have here...

I know when my son was on his year long around the world trip, this was one of the things that really got to him...extreme poverty, he says, was something he had never ever seen, close up...and yet, when he visited certain countries, that was all he saw...where even a dime or a dollar, something that we take for granted, was considered to be valuable...

It made him extremely grateful to be an American, free to pursue limitless opportunities, and steer his life on the course he choses...

Traveling to other countries, and seeing the real people of that country, can be an eye opener...